VA Burial and Memorial Benefits

Burial in a VA national cemetery, a government headstone or marker, and in some cases a burial allowance.

Also called: burial, national cemetery, headstone, burial allowance, memorial.

For: Veteran or service member, spouse, child, survivor.

Where it applies

Applies in states and territories.

Federal

VA memorial benefits can include burial in a VA national cemetery, a government headstone, marker, or medallion, a burial flag, and a Presidential Memorial Certificate. A monetary burial allowance is a separate benefit. It is not automatic for every death. What is available depends on the veteran's service and discharge, and on whether the death was connected to service. In many cases a spouse and dependent children can be buried in a national cemetery with the veteran. For a non-service-connected death on or after October 1, 2026, the burial allowance is $1,032 and the plot allowance $1,032; for a service-connected death after September 10, 2001, it is up to $2,000. The burial allowance, national cemetery burial, headstones and markers, the Presidential Memorial Certificate, the burial flag and military funeral honors each have their own entry.

Thresholds

No rating or income gate is recorded. Read the detail and the official source.

Documents the source lists

What the official source lists for an application, and where to get each document. It is a reference read from the source, not a full list of what the office may ask for; check with the office or an accredited representative before you apply. Needed means the source asks for it; Helps means the source calls it optional or says it speeds things up.

Needed The veteran’s death certificate, including the cause of death
Where to get it The vital records office of the state or territory where the death occurred. The funeral home usually orders copies for the family.
Listed by VA, Veterans burial allowance and transportation benefits read 2026-10-10
Needed Itemized receipt for transportation costs
Only if you paid to transport the veteran’s remains.
Where to get it Keep the receipt for each expense as you pay it.
Listed by VA, Veterans burial allowance and transportation benefits read 2026-10-10
Helps The veteran’s DD214 or other separation documents, covering every period of service
Where to get it Download it from milConnect if your branch has it there, or request it from the National Archives. A VA application can ask VA to request it for you.
Listed by VA, Veterans burial allowance and transportation benefits read 2026-10-10
Helps The veteran’s medical records
If you claim the allowance for a service-connected death.
Where to get it The doctors and hospitals that gave the care. VA’s own records come from your VA facility’s release of information office or My HealtheVet.
Listed by VA, Veterans burial allowance and transportation benefits read 2026-10-10
Needed Application for Burial Benefits (VA Form 21P-530EZ)
If you apply by mail.
Where to get it Download it from VA.gov, or ask a VA regional office or an accredited representative for a copy.
Listed by VA, Veterans burial allowance and transportation benefits read 2026-10-10

Sources

Burial and memorial eligibilityOfficial
Veterans burial allowance and transportation benefitsOfficial

Updated

Last updated 2026-10-08.

What changed then:

New official source added: “Veterans burial allowance and transportation benefits”.
Description reworded (1 passage).

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Out of date, a broken link, or something else wrong? Say what you found, and an editor checks it against the official source.

Disclaimer

VetTOC is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or the Department of Defense. Information is for reference only and is not an eligibility determination. Verify with VA, the relevant state or territory, or an accredited VSO.