If a veteran in your family has passed away — or if you are a veteran planning ahead — the Department of Veterans Affairs provides a meaningful set of burial and memorial benefits. Many families never claim them simply because they didn't know they existed.
Here is a complete overview of what is available, who qualifies, and how to access each benefit.
Who Is Eligible for VA Burial Benefits?
Most veterans discharged under conditions other than dishonorable are eligible, including:
- Veterans who served any period of active duty (including wartime and peacetime)
- Active duty service members who die while on duty
- Reservists and National Guard members called to federal active duty
- Commissioned officers of NOAA and the U.S. Public Health Service
Spouses, surviving spouses, and dependent children of eligible veterans are also eligible for burial in a national cemetery (though not for the burial allowance on their own).
The key document you will need is the DD-214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty). If you cannot find it, you can request a copy from the National Archives at archives.gov. Plan ahead — allow several weeks for the request to be processed.
Benefit 1: Burial in a National Cemetery
The most significant benefit for many families is the right to burial in a national cemetery at no cost. This includes:
- A gravesite
- Opening and closing of the grave
- Liner for the grave
- Government headstone or grave marker
- Perpetual care of the gravesite
There are more than 150 national cemeteries across the United States, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines. Not all accept new interments — some are full. To find available national cemeteries near you, visit the National Cemetery Administration website or call 1-800-535-1117.
Cremated remains receive the same burial rights as casketed remains. Many national cemeteries also have columbarium niches for urns.
Important: National cemeteries do not charge a fee for the burial of an eligible veteran. The family pays only for funeral home services, transportation, and any private memorial services they choose.
Benefit 2: State Veterans Cemeteries
In addition to national cemeteries, all 50 states operate state veterans cemeteries. These are funded partly by the VA and typically open to veterans who were residents of that state. Eligibility rules and fees vary by state — some are entirely free, others charge modest fees for spouses and dependents. Contact your state's Department of Veterans Affairs for details.
Benefit 3: Government Headstone or Grave Marker
The VA provides a free government headstone or grave marker for any eligible veteran buried in any cemetery — not just national cemeteries. This includes private and religious cemeteries. Options include:
- Upright marble or granite headstone
- Flat bronze, granite, or marble marker
- Niche marker for columbarium placement
- Bronze medallion (if the family purchases a private headstone — the medallion attaches to it)
The funeral home or cemetery typically submits the application (VA Form 40-1330) on the family's behalf. Allow 30–60 days for delivery. There is no charge for the marker itself, though the cemetery may charge an installation fee.
Benefit 4: VA Burial Allowance
The VA offers a burial allowance — a partial reimbursement of funeral expenses — in certain situations:
| Situation | Maximum allowance (2024) |
|---|---|
| Death from a service-connected condition | $2,000 (no limit if buried in national cemetery) |
| Veteran receiving VA pension/compensation at time of death (non-service-connected) | ~$948 |
| Veteran who died in a VA hospital or VA-contracted facility | Burial and plot allowance may apply |
| Veteran with no service-connected death, not receiving VA benefits | Not eligible for this allowance |
This is a reimbursement — the family pays the funeral home, then files a claim. Submit VA Form 21P-530 (Application for Burial Benefits) within two years of the burial or cremation. Attach the itemized funeral bill and proof of payment.
Benefit 5: Military Funeral Honors
All eligible veterans are entitled to a military funeral honors ceremony, which includes at minimum:
- Folding and presentation of the U.S. flag to the next of kin
- Playing of "Taps" — performed by a live bugler if one is available, or by a recorded version with a bugler present
Full military honors (available for veterans who served in specific capacities) may include a firing party, military pallbearers, and additional ceremonial elements.
To request military funeral honors, notify the funeral home at the time of arrangement. The funeral home contacts the Department of Defense's Military Funeral Honors Program on your behalf. There is no charge for this service.
Benefit 6: Presidential Memorial Certificate
A Presidential Memorial Certificate (PMC) is a signed, engraved paper certificate expressing the nation's gratitude for a veteran's service. It is free and can be ordered in multiple copies for family members.
You can request a PMC through the VA's eBenefits portal, through your local VA regional office, or through your congressional representative's office. Processing typically takes several weeks.
Benefit 7: VA Headstone Medallion for Private Graves
If a veteran was buried in a private cemetery before November 1, 1990 with a privately purchased headstone, the VA may not be able to replace it with a government headstone. Instead, the VA offers a free bronze medallion that can be affixed to the existing private headstone to identify it as the grave of a veteran. Applications are submitted via VA Form 40-1330M.
How to Plan Ahead as a Veteran
If you are a veteran reading this for your own planning, the most important steps are:
- Locate your DD-214 and keep it in a safe, accessible place. This document is essential for almost every VA benefit. Make a copy and store it separately from the original.
- Tell your family that you are a veteran and that they may be eligible for burial benefits. Many families discover the benefits too late to use them or have already incurred costs that could have been avoided.
- Pre-register with a national cemetery if you would like to be buried there. You can pre-apply to confirm your eligibility before it's needed — contact the National Cemetery Scheduling Office.
- Document your wishes — burial versus cremation, whether you want military honors, which national cemetery if applicable. Include these in your end-of-life planning documents alongside your other final wishes.
FinalKeepSake's Final Wishes section includes a specific field for veterans to document their service branch, discharge status, and preferences for military burial honors — so the information is organized and accessible to your family when it matters.