What are VA Burial Benefits?
The VA burial and memorial benefits program can help family members of deceased Veterans cover services such as funeral, burial and memorial costs. If you’re a surviving family member of a Veteran, you may be entitled to certain burial benefits.
Some examples of burial benefits include:
Burial allowance, up to $2000 for eligible Veterans.
Plot or internment allowance, up to $762 for eligible Veterans.
Reimbursement of transportation costs for the Veteran’s remains.
Burial in a National Cemetery.
Entitlement to a VA-furnished headstone, marker, or medallion.
Burial flag and Presidential Memorial Certificate.
Up to $900 in assistance for burial of indigent Veterans.
Assistance with cartage and erection fees for VA-supplied headstone or markers.
> Relationship to Deceased Veteran
In order to be considered eligible for burial benefits, the surviving individual must be:
- The Veteran's surviving spouse
OR - The surviving partner from a legal union (a relationship made formal in a document issued by the state recognizing the union)
OR - A surviving child of the Veteran
OR - A parent of the Veteran
OR - The executor or administrator of the Veteran's estate (someone who officially represents the Veteran)
> Circumstances of Death
What were the circumstances of the Veteran's death? At least one of the options below must be satisfied:
- As a result of a disability related to service?
OR - While getting VA care, either at a VA facility contracted by the VA?
OR - While traveling with proper authorization, and at the VA's expense, either to or from a facility for an examination, or to receive treatment or care
OR - With an open claim for VA compensation or pension pending at the time of death, if they would have been entitled to benefits before the time of death
OR - While receiving VA pension or compensation
OR - While eligible for VA pension or compensation at time of death, but instead received full military retirement or disability pay
> Time limit for filing
- Generally, there is no time limit for filing for a service-connected burial, plot, or internment allowance. However, a claim for non-service-connected burial allowance within 2 years after the Veteran's burial or cremation.