The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has a program that helps with funeral, burial, and memorial costs of a servicemember or veteran. These VA benefit rules changed in 2014. The main benefits include:

• burial allowances for service connected and non-service connected deaths,
• plot or interment allowance,
• burial in a national cemetery, and
• a headstone, marker, or medallion benefit

Burial allowances for service-connected death can be up to $2,000. There is no time limit for applying for this benefit. See Burial Benefits (from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs) for more information.

VA burial allowances for non-service connected deaths is usually up to $300. If the veteran dies while receiving hospital, nursing home, or in-home care through the VA, the allowance is higher—up to $749 for veterans who passed on or after Oct. 1, 2016 (slightly less for those passing before October 1, 2016). The amount is periodically adjusted for inflation. There are additional eligibility rules for this benefit. In some cases, VA Form 21-530 must be filed and the application must be filed within two years of the burial of the veteran. See Burial Benefits (from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs) for more information.

Plot or interment allowance benefits are available to some veterans. The application must be filed within two years of the burial of the veteran. See Dependents and Survivors: Burial and Plot Interment Allowence (from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs) for more information about how to qualify for this assistance and the amount of benefit available.

Burial in a national cemetery is available for some veterans and their eligible dependents. Benefits include the gravesite, headstone or marker, opening and closing of the grave, and perpetual care. See Eligibility (from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs) for more information and eligibility criteria.*

Headstone, marker, or medallion benefits may be provided to veterans, servicemembers, or retired reserves or National Guard members who were eligible for burial in a national cemetery, but were buried in a private cemetery. See Headstones, Markers and Medallions (from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs) for more information.

* NOTE: Veterans and eligible dependents who were eligible for burial in a national cemetery, but were buried in a private cemetery, may qualify for interment at the BG Doyle Memorial Cemetery in Wrightstown, NJ, at no charge. See Eligibility for Interment (from the N.J. Department of Military and Veterans Affairs) for more information.​​​​

This information last reviewed: Nov 9, 2021