Burial Benefits

Eligibility

Burial benefits are available to:

  • any member of the Armed Forces (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard) who dies on active duty.

  • any Veteran who was discharged under conditions other than dishonorable.

  • any citizen of the US who, during any war in which the US has or may be engaged, served in the Armed Forces of any Government allied with the US, whose last service was terminated honorably, and who was a US citizen at the time of entry into service and at the time of death.
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  • members of Reserve Components and Reserve Officers' Training Corps, Commissioned Officers of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Commissioned Public Health Officers, WWII Merchant Mariners, and members of the Phillipine Armed Forces under certain circumstances.

  • spouses and dependents of eligible veterans.

  • parents whose biological or adoptive child was a servicemember under certain circumstances.

  • others as designated by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs or the Secretary of Defense.

Burial in VA National and Private Cemeteries

Burial in national cemeteries is available to eligible veterans, their spouses, and dependents under the age of 23 at no cost to the family. Many burial benefits are available to eligible veterans buried in a private cemetery at no cost to the family.

Headstones, Markers, and Medallions

Veterans, active duty members, and retired Reservists and National Guard members are eligible for an inscribed headstone or marker delivered at no cost to any cemetery in the world, regardless of date of death. For more information, click here.

Burial Flags

A US flag is provided at no cost to drape the casket or accompany the urn of a deceased veteran who served honorably in the US Armed Forces. Generally, the flag is given to the next-of-kin after its use during the funeral service. For more information, click here.

Burial Allowances

Burial allowances are a flat rate monetary benefit paid for an eligible Veteran's burial and funeral cost. Eligible surviving spouses of record are paid automatically upon notification of the Veteran's death. Additional benefits may be granted by the VA upon receipt of claim for these benefits. Click here for more information.

For more information regarding Veterans' burial benefits, visit the US Department of Veterans Affairs National Cemetery Administration page.

Bereavement Counseling

Bereavement counseling is available to parents, spouses, and children of Armed Forces personnel who die in the service of their country, as well as family members of reservists and National Guardsmen who die while on duty. Click here for more information.