Burial & Memorial Benefits
Up to $2,000 toward a service-connected burial, plus a free gravesite, headstone or marker, and military funeral honors for your family.
Overview
VA burial and memorial benefits can include burial in a VA national cemetery, a burial allowance, headstones or markers, burial flags, Presidential Memorial Certificates, and pre-need burial eligibility. These benefits help families plan ahead and honor a veteran’s service.
VA Burial and Memorial Benefits
What VA provides at the end of a Veteran’s life — burial in a national cemetery, headstones and markers, military honors, and allowances that help families with costs.
Who may qualify
Most veterans who served on active duty and received an other-than-dishonorable discharge qualify for burial in a VA national cemetery at no cost to the family.
Eligible spouses and dependent children can also be buried in a national cemetery — even before the veteran.
A burial allowance helps with funeral and burial costs; higher amounts apply for service-connected deaths, while non-service-connected deaths have income-based limits.
Memorial items — government headstones, markers, medallions, burial flags, and Presidential Memorial Certificates — are available no matter where the veteran is buried.
A pre-need eligibility determination lets families confirm eligibility in advance to simplify future arrangements.
How to apply
Apply for pre-need eligibility- 1
To plan ahead, submit a pre-need eligibility request with VA Form 40-10007.
VA Form 40-10007 - 2
At the time of need, the funeral director or family contacts the National Cemetery Scheduling Office (1-800-535-1117) to schedule a burial.
- 3
Apply for the burial allowance with VA Form 21P-530EZ to claim reimbursement of eligible costs.
VA Form 21P-530EZ - 4
Request headstones, markers, medallions, or memorial certificates using the matching VA form.
Pre-need eligibility on VA.gov
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702-992-4883Burial — frequently asked questions
Straight answers to the questions veterans ask most about this benefit. Still stuck? Ask Albert in the chat, or request a free review with our accredited team.
Who is eligible for burial in a VA national cemetery?
Most Veterans who did not receive a dishonorable discharge are eligible for burial in a VA national cemetery, along with their spouse and dependent children — even if the family member dies first. Burial in a national cemetery includes the gravesite, opening and closing, a headstone or marker, and perpetual care at no cost to the family.
What does a VA burial include at no cost?
A national cemetery burial includes the gravesite, a government headstone or marker, a burial flag, a Presidential Memorial Certificate, and perpetual care of the grave — all at no cost. Military funeral honors, including the folding and presentation of the flag and the playing of Taps, are also provided for eligible Veterans.
What are the VA burial allowances?
VA pays monetary burial allowances to help with funeral and burial costs. Amounts are higher for a service-connected death than for a non-service-connected death, and there are separate plot and transportation allowances. The exact figures adjust over time, so it is worth confirming the current amounts when you file.
Can I plan ahead with pre-need eligibility?
Yes. Pre-need eligibility lets a Veteran apply and be confirmed eligible for national cemetery burial in advance, so the family is not scrambling to prove eligibility during a difficult time. VA reviews the application and keeps the determination on file — a simple step that spares loved ones stress and delay later.
Can my spouse be buried with me?
Yes. Eligible spouses and dependent children can be buried in a VA national cemetery, typically in the same gravesite as the Veteran, and they receive a headstone or marker at no cost. This holds true even if the spouse or child passes away before the Veteran, and even in some cases of remarriage.
How do I request military funeral honors?
Military funeral honors — at minimum the folding and presentation of the U.S. flag and the playing of Taps by at least two service members — are provided at no cost for eligible Veterans. Your funeral director usually arranges honors with the branch of service; you can also request them directly. Bring the Veteran’s DD-214 to confirm eligibility.
Can I get a headstone or marker for a grave in a private cemetery?
Yes. VA provides a government headstone, marker, or medallion for an eligible Veteran’s grave even in a private cemetery, at no cost. The medallion attaches to a privately purchased headstone to signify Veteran status. You apply with the matching VA form and provide proof of the Veteran’s eligibility.
What paperwork does my family need at the time of need?
The key document is the Veteran’s DD-214 (discharge papers), which proves eligibility for burial, honors, and markers. Keep a copy somewhere your family can find it. Having the DD-214, and ideally a pre-need eligibility determination, ready in advance makes the entire process far smoother during an already hard time.
