Veterans Services

VA Burial Allowance

What are burial allowances? VA burial allowances are flat rate monetary benefits that are generally paid at the maximum rate amount authorized by law for an eligible Veteran's burial and funeral costs. A VA regulation change in 2014 simplified the program to pay eligible survivors quickly and efficiently. Eligible surviving spouses of record are paid automatically upon notification of the Veteran's death, without the need to submit a claim. VA may grant additional benefits, including the plot or internment allowance and transportation allowance if it receives a claim for these benefits.

If the burial benefit has not been automatically paid to the surviving spouse, VA will pay the first person to file a claim of those listed below:

1. Veterans Surviving Spouse or
2. The survivor of a legal union or (formal relationship between the decedent and survivor prior to the date of the Veterans death which was recognized under the law of the State as evidenced by the State's issuance of documentation).
3. The veterans children regardless of age or
4. The Veterans parents or surviving parent or
5. The executor or administrator of the estate of the deceased Veteran

The Veteran must also have been discharged under conditions other than dishonorable and at least one of the following conditions must be met:

• the Veteran died as a result of a service-connected disability or
• the Veteran was receiving VA pension or compensation at the time of death or
• the Veteran was entitled to receive VA pension or compensation, but decided instead to receive his or her full military retirement or disability pay or
• the Veteran died while hospitalized by VA or while receiving care under VA contract at a non-VA facility or
• the Veteran died while traveling under proper authorization and at VA expense to or from a specified place for the purpose of examination, treatment or care or
• the Veteran had an original or reopened claim for VA compensation or pension pending at the time of death and would have been entitled to benefits from a date prior tot he date of death or
• the Veteran died on or after October 9, 1996 while a patient at a VA-approved state nursing home.

Any Honorably Discharged Veteran is eligible to be buried at any National Cemetery free of charge. Veterans are also eligible to order a Government Headstone at no charge for placement in a private cemetery, however, the family must pay to place the stone.

How much does it pay?

Service connected death: If the Veteran died on or after September 11, 2001, the maximum service-connected burial allowance is $2000. If the Veteran died before September 11, 2001, the maximum service-connected burial allowance is $1500. If the Veteran is buried in a VA national cemetery, VA may reimburse some or all of the cost of transporting the deceased Veterans remains.

Non-Service-Connected Death

• If the Veteran died on or after October 1, 2013 but before October 1, 2014, VA will pay a $300 burial allowance and $734 for a plot.
• If the Veteran died on or after October 1, 2012 but before October 1, 2013, VA will pay a $300 burial allowance and $722 for a plot.