It may come as a surprise that fewer than one-quarter of Veterans and their families take advantage of the burial benefits offered by the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). If you are a Veteran, servicemember, spouse, or eligible family member, you may have access to burial and memorial benefits that your family isn’t aware of. Understanding your options ahead of time helps make an already difficult period easier for the people you leave behind.
The VA’s National Cemetery Administration (NCA) maintains a nationwide network of national cemeteries where eligible Veterans and family members may receive burial and memorial benefits. These 155 cemeteries provide eligible Veterans with a final resting place and several memorial benefits, which can greatly offset the out-of-pocket cost of internment to the family.
If you qualify for burial in a VA national cemetery, several services are provided without charge to your family, including:
It’s important to note that these benefits only apply to burial or inurnment in a VA national cemetery. If you choose a private cemetery, different benefits and allowances may apply.
The benefits also extend to certain spouses and dependent family members. Eligible spouses and children may receive burial in a VA national cemetery, perpetual care, and inscription of their information on the Veteran’s headstone. In some circumstances, an eligible spouse or dependent may be buried in the national cemetery even if they pass before the Veteran.
VA burial benefits also apply to legal burial types beyond traditional casket burial. Depending on eligibility, benefits may apply to cremation, burial at sea, or the donation of remains to a medical school.
Eligibility generally includes the following:
Eligibility requirements vary depending on the individual's military service and circumstances.
The VA offers a pre-need eligibility determination to help you determine whether you or a family member qualifies for burial in a VA national cemetery before the time of need. Simply submit VA Form 40-10007 by mail or complete an application online through the VA.
Before you apply, make sure you have your military service information available, including your DD214 or other separation documents. If you no longer have your discharge papers, you can request military records through the National Archives or the VA's records resources.
Completing this process ahead of time can help give you and your family greater certainty when making final arrangements.
You don’t have to choose a VA national cemetery simply because you qualify for VA burial benefits. Your family may instead choose a private cemetery, depending on your preferences and circumstances.
If you’re considering a VA national cemetery, you can use the National Cemetery Administration cemetery locator to review locations and available services. You may choose a specific cemetery if it has space available, but you generally can’t reserve a particular gravesite in advance.
This distinction is important when discussing your final wishes with your family. You’re allowed to identify your preferred cemetery ahead of time, but availability ultimately affects where a burial may take place.
Arlington National Cemetery is sometimes grouped with other VA national cemeteries, but it’s a separate consideration. Arlington is administered by the Department of the Army, rather than the VA, and it has its own eligibility requirements and planning process.
Eligibility for in-ground burial at Arlington is more restrictive than that at VA national cemeteries. The cemetery determines eligibility at the time of need, which means it generally does not provide an official eligibility determination for someone still living.
If Arlington is part of your plans, review the Arlington National Cemetery eligibility and funeral information separately rather than assuming regular VA national cemetery rules apply.
In addition to the benefits associated with burial in a national cemetery, eligible survivors may qualify for a VA burial allowance to offset private funeral expenses, including certain burial, funeral, plot, and transportation expenses.
The exact benefit amount depends on factors such as whether the Veteran's death was service-connected, where the Veteran was buried, and when the death occurred.
For deaths on or after October 1, 2025, current VA benefit rates include:
These amounts are subject to change and eligibility requirements, and VA burial allowances are generally reimbursements rather than payments made in advance.
If you’re applying for a burial allowance, keep the funeral documentation. A funeral home invoice showing a $0 balance may be required to demonstrate that the expenses were paid.
For the most current rates and eligibility requirements, review the VA burial allowance and transportation benefits information before filing a claim.
If you’re responsible for a Veteran's burial expenses, you may apply for VA burial benefits after the funeral or burial has occurred. The VA uses VA Form 21P-530EZ for burial allowance claims.
Because this benefit is generally a reimbursement, make sure to keep invoices, receipts, and all other documentation showing who paid the eligible expenses.
The filing deadline depends on the type of benefit you’re claiming. There’s no time limit for filing a service-connected burial claim. Non-service-connected burial claims generally have a two-year filing window after burial or cremation, with certain exceptions.
Before applying, review the current VA burial and memorial benefits and the VA private-cemetery burial benefits to understand which benefits apply to your situation.
Understanding your VA burial benefits is one part of broader military financial and estate planning. Taking time to learn what you have earned will give you and your family greater confidence that your final wishes will be understood and your service appropriately honored.
Survivor Assistance Services are included with every Armed Forces Mutual policy. As a Member, your family will receive personal guidance on VA claims, including VA burial benefits, and more at the time of your passing. Learn more about our Member benefits and apply today.
The appearance of U.S. Department of War (DoW) visual information does not imply or constitute DoW endorsement. Photo by Elizabeth Fraser, Army. Marines conduct military funeral honors with funeral escort for 29th Commandant of the Marine Corps Retired Gen. Alfred Gray, Jr. in Section 35 of Arlington National Cemetery, Va., July 29, 2024.