Death Benefits for Veterans
Overview
This resource covers benefits available upon the death of a veteran. These are distinct from survivor benefits, which cover ongoing support for family members.
If you're in crisis: Call 988 (press 1) or text 838255 for support.
Burial Allowance
The VA provides financial assistance for funeral, burial, and transportation costs.
Three Categories
1. Non-Service Connected (NSC) Death
- Veteran must have been receiving compensation or pension at death
- Maximum allowance: $1,002 plus $1,002 for plot
2. Service-Connected (SC) Death
- Death must be linked to military service
- Maximum allowance: $2,000
- May cover full costs if buried in VA national cemetery
3. Death Under VA Care
- Available to those not receiving benefits if death occurred at:
- VA Medical Center
- State veterans home
- Contract nursing home
- Maximum allowance: $1,002 plus $1,002 for plot
Application Requirements
- File online or mail VA Form 21P-530EZ to:
- Pension Intake Center
- PO Box 5365
- Janesville, WI 53547-5365
Required Documents: - Discharge papers (DD-214) - Death certificate - Transportation receipts - Itemized funeral account statement
Deadlines: - Non-service connected/non-care deaths: 2 years - Service-connected or care-related deaths: No deadline
Arlington National Cemetery Burial
Primary Eligibility (Ground Burial)
Requires one of: - Active duty retirement - Reserve retirement after active duty - Specific military decorations: - Medal of Honor - Distinguished Service Cross/Navy Cross/Air Force Cross - Silver Star - Purple Heart - Former POW status - Service in high-level federal positions
Derivative Eligibility
Honorably discharged veterans may share grave sites with primarily eligible relatives under strict conditions.
Inurnment (Columbarium)
Available to any veteran meeting primary eligibility or those with any active duty service.
National Cemetery Burial
Eligibility
- Non-dishonorable discharge character
Process
- Schedule through VA website
- No cost for burial in national cemetery
Included Services
- Gravesite
- Opening/closing of grave
- Perpetual care
- Headstone or marker
- Burial flag
- Presidential Memorial Certificate
Other Memorial Benefits
Burial at Sea
- Contact Navy HR: 1-833-330-6622
Burial Flags
- Available to next of kin/family members
- Requires non-dishonorable discharge
Headstones, Markers, and Medallions
- Various options available at no cost
- Can be provided for private cemetery burials
- Medallions available for existing private headstones
Presidential Memorial Certificates
- Automatically presented at national cemetery burials
- Otherwise requestable by family
Criminal Disqualifications
Certain veterans are ineligible for memorial benefits: - Conviction of capital crimes - Sex offenses carrying life sentences - Applies even if deceased before sentencing
Steps After a Veteran's Death
- Obtain death certificate - Multiple copies needed
- Locate DD-214 - Required for most benefits
- Contact VA - Report death to stop benefit payments
- Apply for burial benefits - Within time limits
- Consider survivor benefits - DIC, CHAMPVA, education benefits
- Continue pending claims - Accrued benefits may be available
Resources
VA Forms
Official VA Resources
- VA Burial Benefits
- National Cemetery Locations
- Schedule a Burial
- Memorial Items
- Arlington National Cemetery