Death & Survivor Benefits

VA Burial and Plot Allowance

Money toward a veteran’s funeral and burial: up to $2,000 for a service-connected death after September 10, 2001, and $1,032 each for burial and plot for a non-service-connected death on or after October 1, 2026.

Also called: burial allowance, plot allowance, funeral costs, VA Form 21P-530EZ, transportation of remains.

For: Veteran or service member, survivor.

Where it applies

Applies in states and territories.

Federal

VA pays a burial allowance to the person who paid for a veteran's burial and funeral and will not be reimbursed by anyone else, such as another agency or the veteran's employer. The veteran must not have had a dishonorable discharge. Service-connected death Death on or after September 11, 2001: up to $2,000 Death before September 11, 2001: up to $1,500 VA may also pay to move the remains to a national cemetery. Non-service-connected death Death on or after October 1, 2026: $1,032 for burial and $1,032 for a plot Death on or after October 1, 2025: $1,002 for burial and $1,002 for a plot For a non-service-connected death, the veteran must have been receiving, or entitled to, compensation or pension, had a claim pending that would have been granted, or died in VA care or in a VA-contracted nursing home, or while traveling to VA-authorized care. File within two years of burial, except that some non-service-connected claims for plot, interment or transportation have no time limit. VA pays many surviving spouses automatically. Apply on VA Form 21P-530EZ.

Thresholds

Thresholds for VA Burial and Plot Allowance
Gate	Rule
Paid the costs, not reimbursed	The claimant paid the burial costs, and the veteran was not dishonorably discharged and meets a service-connected or listed non-service-connected condition.

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

Figures

Each figure is dated with the day it was read. A local figure moves whenever the statute or the local ordinance does, so confirm it with the office that grants it before you rely on it. Statute verified gives the day the weekly section check last found the statute standing on the legislature’s own code site; a figure without it rests on a statute the check does not read yet.

Dated figures for VA Burial and Plot Allowance
Figure	Amount	Read from
Service-connected burial allowance, death after September 10, 2001	up to $2,00038 U.S.C. 2307	Veterans burial allowance and transportation benefitsRead 2026-10-08
Non-service-connected burial and plot allowances, death on or after October 1, 2026	$1,032 each38 U.S.C. 2302, 2303	Veterans burial allowance and transportation benefitsRead 2026-10-08

Sources

Updated

Last updated 2026-10-08.

What changed then:

First published.

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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.