VA Burial and Memorial Benefits: A Complete Guide for Surviving Families
Honor your loved one's service with comprehensive VA burial and memorial benefits. From national cemetery burial to headstones, markers, and burial allowances, learn about all the benefits available to Veterans and their families.
The Department of Veterans Affairs operates 155 national cemeteries across the United States, with more than 95 open to new interments. These sacred grounds provide a final resting place that honors the service and sacrifice of our nation's Veterans and their families. Beyond burial services, VA offers a comprehensive range of memorial benefits designed to recognize and commemorate the service of those who served our country.
VA national cemeteries provide dignified burial options that honor Veterans' service. Burial options vary by cemetery and may include in-ground casket burial, interment of cremated remains in a columbarium, in-ground cremation burial, or placement in a scattering area.
Veteran Eligibility
Burial in a national cemetery is open to all members of the Armed Forces and Veterans who have met minimum active-duty service requirements and were discharged under conditions other than dishonorable.
- Active duty service members who die while on duty
- Veterans with minimum 24 consecutive months of active duty (enlisted after Sept 7, 1980; officers after Oct 16, 1981)
- Reserve/National Guard members who die on active duty or training duty
- Reserve/National Guard members entitled to retired pay
- Veterans married to Veterans are entitled to their own adjacent gravesites if they choose
Family Member Eligibility
Eligible family members may be buried with the Veteran, even if they predecease the Veteran. The Veteran and eligible family members typically share the same gravesite or columbarium niche.
- Surviving Spouse: Eligible for burial (remarriage after Jan 1, 2000 does not affect eligibility)
- Minor Children: Unmarried dependent children under 21 (or under 23 if full-time student)
- Adult Children with Disabilities: Unmarried adults who became disabled before age 21 (or 23 if student)
- Parents: Biological/adoptive parents of service members who died in combat (Oct 7, 2001 or later) with no surviving spouse/child
Eligibility Restrictions
VA may bar individuals from burial and memorial benefits if convicted of a Federal or State capital crime, a crime causing tier III sex offender status, or if such offense was committed but conviction was avoided due to death or flight from prosecution.
Making Arrangements
The next of kin or authorized representative (such as a funeral director) may make interment arrangements at the time of need by contacting:
National Cemetery Scheduling Office
Phone: 800-535-1117 or 1-800-MyVA411 (800-698-2411), option 4
Important Notes:
- VA does not normally conduct burials on weekends
- Gravesites cannot be reserved (except for Veterans married to each other)
- Visit www.cem.va.gov for more information
VA's Pre-Need Burial Eligibility Determination Program allows Veterans and their eligible family members to plan ahead and determine their eligibility for burial in a VA national cemetery. Planning in advance eliminates unnecessary delays during a family's time of bereavement.
How to Apply
Submit VA Form 40-10007, Application for Pre-Need Determination of Eligibility for Burial in a VA National Cemetery
Online: www.cem.va.gov/cem/pre-need/index.asp
Fax: 855-840-8299
Mail:
NCA Intake Center
P.O. Box 5237
Janesville, WI 53547
VA is authorized to furnish, upon request, an inscribed headstone or marker for the unmarked grave of an eligible decedent at any national, state Veterans, tribal, or private cemetery. VA will deliver a headstone or marker at no cost, anywhere in the world.
Special Provisions
- Medal of Honor Recipients: May receive a supplemental headstone/marker even if grave is already marked (service on/after April 6, 1917)
- Private Cemetery Burials: Veterans who died on/after Nov 1, 1990 may receive government headstone even if grave is already marked
- Spouse/Dependent Inscription: For Veterans who died on/after Oct 16, 2019 in private cemeteries, spouse/children info can be inscribed
Who May Apply
- The decedent's spouse or individual in a legal union
- The decedent's child, parent, or sibling (biological, adopted, or step relation)
- Any lineal or collateral descendant
- Personal representative from a VSO
- Individual employed by state/local government responsible for serving Veterans
- Anyone with legal responsibility for disposition of unclaimed remains
Required Inscriptions
Headstones and markers must be inscribed with:
- Name of the deceased
- Branch of service
- Year of birth and death
Optional Inscriptions (Space Permitting)
- Emblem of belief
- Military rank and awards
- War service (e.g., "WORLD WAR II")
- Complete dates of birth and death
- Military organizations and civilian/Veteran affiliations
- Personalized words of endearment
How to Apply
Submit VA Form 40-1330, Claim for Standard Government Headstone or Marker with a copy of the Veteran's military discharge documents or proof of military service.
Online: eauth.va.gov/accessva
Fax: 800-455-7143
Mail:
NCA FP Evidence Intake Center
P.O. Box 5237
Janesville, WI 53547
Status Check: Call the cemetery (national/state/tribal) or Applicant Assistance Unit at 800-697-6947 (private cemeteries)
Important Note for Private Cemeteries
Before requesting a headstone or marker for use in a private cemetery, check with the cemetery to ensure the government-furnished headstone or marker will be accepted. All installation fees at private cemeteries are the responsibility of the applicant.
VA provides memorial headstones and markers with "IN MEMORY OF" as the first line of inscription for those whose remains are unavailable for burial (not recovered/identified, buried at sea, donated to science, or cremated and scattered).
Eligibility
- Veterans: Eligible for memorial markers in national, state, tribal, or private cemeteries
- Spouses/Surviving Spouses: Who died Nov 11, 1998 - Sept 30, 2024 (national/state/tribal cemeteries only)
- Dependent Children: Under 21 (or 23 if student) or disabled before age 21/23 (national/state/tribal cemeteries only)
For decedents who served on or after April 6, 1917, VA provides a medallion to affix to a privately purchased headstone or marker in a private cemetery. The medallion denotes the decedent's status as a Veteran.
How to Apply
Submit VA Form 40-1330M, Claim for Government Medallion for Placement in A Private Cemetery with a copy of the Veteran's military discharge documents.
Online: eauth.va.gov/accessva
Fax: 800-455-7143
Mail:
NCA FP Evidence Intake Center
P.O. Box 5237
Janesville, WI 53547
Medal of Honor Medallion: Inscribed with "MEDAL OF HONOR" at the top and the branch of service at the bottom.
Presidential Memorial Certificates (PMCs)
PMCs are issued to honor the memory of deceased persons whom VA finds eligible for burial in a national cemetery. This includes persons who died on active military service, Reserve component members, ROTC members, or persons entitled to retired pay.
Who Can Request: Next of kin, relative, friend, or authorized service representative
Submit VA Form 40-0247, Presidential Memorial Certificate Request Form with a copy of the Veteran's military discharge documents.
Online: www.va.gov/burials-memorials/memorial-items/presidential-memorial-certificates
Fax: 800-455-7143
Mail:
NCA FP Evidence Intake Center
P.O. Box 5237
Janesville, WI 53547
Burial Flags
VA will furnish a U.S. burial flag to recognize deceased Veterans who received other than dishonorable discharge.
Eligibility
- Veterans who received other than dishonorable discharge
- Veterans entitled to retired pay for Reserve/National Guard service
- Selected Reserve members who served their initial obligation or were discharged for disability
- Certain Philippine military forces members who died on/after April 25, 1951
How to Apply: Next of kin may apply at any VA Regional Office or U.S. Post Office using VA Form 27-2008, Application for United States Flag for Burial Purposes. In most cases, a funeral director will help obtain the flag.
More info: www.cem.va.gov/cem/burial_benefits/burial_flags.asp
VA provides several burial allowances to help cover funeral and burial expenses for eligible Veterans. Use VA Form 21P-530EZ, Application for Burial Benefits to apply for these benefits.
Service-Connected Burial Allowance
Amount: Up to $2,000
Eligibility: Veteran's death is service-connected
Who Can Claim: The person who bore the Veteran's burial expenses
Timeline: No time limit for filing reimbursement claims in service-connected death cases
Non-Service-Connected Burial Allowance
Amount: Up to $948
Eligibility:
- Veteran was entitled to receive pension or compensation at time of death, OR
- Veteran's death occurred in a VA facility, VA-contracted nursing home, or state Veterans nursing home
Timeline: Claims must be filed within two years after burial or cremation
Plot Allowance
Amount: Up to $948
Eligibility: Veteran is buried in a cemetery not under U.S. government jurisdiction AND one of the following:
- Veteran was discharged from active duty because of disability incurred or aggravated in the line of duty
- Veteran was receiving compensation or pension
- Veteran died in a VA facility
Note: The plot allowance may be paid to the state for the cost of a plot or interment in a state-owned cemetery reserved solely for Veteran burials if the Veteran is buried without charge.
Transportation Benefit
VA may pay the cost of transporting the remains of a Veteran from the place of death to the place of burial if:
- Veteran died while hospitalized by VA or other authorized facility
- Veteran's remains are unclaimed
- At time of death, Veteran was receiving disability compensation, military retired pay in lieu of disability compensation, or VA pension
Outer Burial Receptacle Allowance
Amount: $411 (for burials in calendar year 2024)
VA will pay a monetary allowance for an outer burial receptacle for any interment in a VA national cemetery where a privately purchased outer burial receptacle (grave liner, burial vault, or similar container) has been used in lieu of a government-furnished grave liner.
Important Note
Burial expenses paid by the deceased's employer or a state agency will not be reimbursed. For more information about burial allowances including current rate tables, visit www.va.gov/burials-memorials/veterans-burial-allowance
Arlington National Cemetery
The Department of the Army administers Arlington National Cemetery and other Army installation cemeteries. Eligibility is generally more restrictive than at VA national cemeteries.
Phone: 703-607-8000
Website: www.arlingtoncemetery.mil/about
Mail:
Superintendent
Arlington National Cemetery
Arlington, VA 22211
National Park Service Cemeteries
The Department of the Interior's National Park Service maintains 14 national cemeteries located within larger park units. Andersonville National Cemetery in Andersonville, Georgia, is the only one open to new interments.
Phone: 202-208-4747
Website: www.cem.va.gov/cems/doi.asp
Mail:
U.S. Department of the Interior
National Park Service
1849 C Street, NW
Washington, DC 20240
State and Tribal Veterans Cemeteries
There are currently 122 VA grant-funded Veterans' cemeteries operating in 47 states, tribal organizations, and three U.S. Territories that offer burial options for Veterans and their families.
Important Notes:
- Similar eligibility requirements to VA national cemeteries
- Certain states and tribal organizations may require state residency or tribal membership
- Some services, particularly for family members, may require a fee
Find a Cemetery: www.cem.va.gov/cem/grants/index.asp
Unclaimed Veteran Remains
"Unclaimed Veterans" occur when Veterans pass away and are not claimed by relatives, friends, and/or a legal representative. VA provides comprehensive burial benefits for unclaimed Veterans.
Benefits Available
- Burial in a VA national, VA-funded state, territorial, or tribal Veterans cemetery
- Government headstone or marker
- Reimbursement for the cost of the casket or urn used for burial
- Reimbursement for transportation to a national, state, or tribal Veterans cemetery
- Burial allowance and plot allowance
How to Apply: Submit VA Form 40-10088, Request for Reimbursement of Casket/Urn
More Information:
VA Facility Responsibility: For Veterans who die while at a VA facility under authorized VA admission or at a non-VA facility under authorized VA admission and are unclaimed, the closest VA healthcare facility is responsible for arranging proper burial for the unclaimed Veteran.
Veterans Legacy Memorial (VLM)
The VLM website is the Nation's first digital platform dedicated to the memory of nearly 10 million Veterans interred in VA's national cemeteries; VA-funded state, tribal, and territory cemeteries; DoW-managed cemeteries; National Park Service cemeteries; and private cemeteries within and outside the United States.
Features
- Automatically populated with birth and death dates, military service information, and resting place details
- Family, friends, and others can post tributes, images, documents, and biographical information
- Share Veteran pages using email, Facebook, and X (formerly Twitter)
- "Follow" a Veteran's page to get email alerts when new content is posted
- Veterans represent all U.S. war and conflict periods, dating back to the Revolutionary War
Visit: www.va.gov/remember
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