What Are the Death and Burial Benefits for Veterans?

The VA burial benefits are designed to assist service members, veterans, and their families plan and pay for a burial in a VA national cemetery. Memorial items are provided through the Veterans Affairs to honor the service of those who have served the country.

Who Qualifies For Burial Benefits And Burial In a National Cemetery?

Veterans, service members, spouses, and dependents may be eligible for burial in a VA national cemetery, as well as other benefits, if they meet one of the requirements listed below:

• A veteran who didn’t receive a dishonorable discharge
  
• A service member who died while on active duty, active duty for training, or inactive duty for training
  
• The spouse or minor child of a veteran, even if the veteran died first
  
• In some cases, the unmarried adult dependent child of a veteran

What Are Burial Benefits and How Do I Apply?

The veterans death benefits may help cover the burial, funeral, and transportation costs associated with the deceased’s services and disposition. Veterans being buried in a national cemetery would receive assistance with monument or marker, and the plot or internment.

A copy of the veteran's discharge papers (DD214) must be provided to the funeral home to receive benefits. To request a copy of your discharge papers, click HERE.

You must file a claim for a non-service-connected burial allowance within two years after the veteran’s burial or cremation. There is no time limit to file for a service-connected burial, plot or interment allowance.

You can apply online at https://www.va.gov/burials-and-memorials/application/530/introduction or by mail after completing the VA Form 21P-530.
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A veteran who didn’t receive a dishonorable discharge or a service member who died while on active duty may be eligible for a headstone or marker if they meet certain requirements. To find out if your deceased loved one qualifies, visit
https://www.va.gov/burials-memorials/memorial-items/headstones-markers-medallions/ 

The Department of Veteran Affairs also provides a headstone for unmarked graves of an eligible deceased veteran at no charge. To request a headstone, grave marker, or niche marker, fill out the VA Form 10-1330 and send to:

Department of Veteran Affairs
5109 Russell Road
Quantico, VA 22134-3909

For more information regarding VA burial benefits and memorial items, visit https://www.va.gov/burials-memorials/ or contact the VA office at 1-800-827-1000. For more information on Veterans Benefits, click HERE.