VA burial and memorial benefits help cover the cost of laying a veteran to rest and honor their service, often at little or no cost to the family. Most veterans who did not receive a dishonorable discharge can be buried in a VA national cemetery for free, and many families can also claim a cash allowance toward funeral, burial, and plot expenses.
This guide explains what the VA provides, who qualifies, the 2026 burial allowance amounts, how to file, and where surviving spouses can turn for ongoing support.
In This Guide
- Key Takeaways
- Burial in a VA National Cemetery
- Who Is Eligible
- 2026 Burial Allowances
- How to Apply
- Other Survivor Benefits
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Learn More
Burial in a VA National Cemetery
The most valuable burial benefit is also the easiest to overlook: an eligible veteran can be buried in a VA national cemetery at no cost to the family.
That benefit covers more than the plot. When a veteran is buried in a VA national cemetery, the VA provides:
- A gravesite
- Opening and closing of the grave
- Perpetual care of the gravesite
- A government-furnished headstone or marker (or a medallion for a private headstone)
- A burial flag to drape the casket or accompany the urn
- A Presidential Memorial Certificate, an engraved certificate signed by the President honoring the veteran's service
These memorial items, the government headstone or marker, the burial flag, and the Presidential Memorial Certificate, are available even when the veteran is buried in a private cemetery, not only in a national one.
Not sure where to begin after a loss? Chat with Brevy for help understanding which VA benefits your family can claim.
Who Is Eligible
Most veterans qualify for VA burial and memorial benefits. Eligibility generally extends to:
- Most veterans who did not receive a dishonorable discharge
- Service members who died on active duty
- In many cases, the veteran's spouse, surviving spouse, and dependent children
If a veteran received an other-than-honorable or bad-conduct discharge, the family is not automatically shut out. A character-of-discharge review or a discharge upgrade may restore eligibility. If you are unsure whether a discharge qualifies, an accredited Veterans Service Officer can review the record before you assume the answer is no.
2026 Burial Allowances
Beyond a free national cemetery burial, the VA pays burial allowances, monetary reimbursements toward funeral, burial, and plot costs. The amount depends on whether the veteran's death was connected to their military service. The figures below are effective for deaths on or after October 1, 2025.
| Type of death | What the VA pays |
|---|---|
| Non-service-connected death, burial allowance | $1,002 |
| Non-service-connected death, plot or interment allowance (when not buried in a national cemetery) | $1,002 |
| Service-connected death, burial allowance (deaths on or after September 11, 2001) | Up to $2,000 |
For a service-connected death, the VA may also reimburse some or all of the cost of transporting the veteran's remains to the national cemetery.
Burial-allowance amounts are adjusted each October 1, so the $1,002 figures reflect the rates effective October 1, 2025 (up from $978 the prior year).
How to Apply
To claim a burial allowance, file VA Form 21P-530EZ (Application for Burial Benefits). You can submit it online at VA.gov, by mail, or in person.
Pay attention to the filing deadlines:
- There is no time limit to file when the death was service-connected, or when a non-service-connected death occurred while the veteran was in a VA health facility or a VA-contracted facility.
- For other non-service-connected deaths, the claim must generally be filed within 2 years of the veteran's burial or cremation.
A free, accredited Veterans Service Officer can help you complete and file the form correctly, which matters most when a deadline is approaching.
Need help filing for burial benefits? Chat with Brevy's care navigator to find free, accredited claim assistance near you.
Other Survivor Benefits
Burial benefits are a one-time settlement of funeral and memorial costs. A surviving spouse or dependent may also qualify for ongoing monthly income through two separate VA programs.
- Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) is a tax-free monthly benefit for eligible survivors of service members who died in the line of duty or of veterans whose death resulted from a service-connected condition. The 2026 base rate for an eligible surviving spouse is $1,699.36 per month, with additional amounts available for those who need aid and attendance, are housebound, or have dependent children.
- Survivors Pension is a needs-based, tax-free benefit for a low-income, un-remarried surviving spouse (or unmarried dependent child) of a deceased wartime veteran. For December 1, 2025 through November 30, 2026, the basic maximum is $11,699 per year ($975 per month) for a surviving spouse with no dependents, rising to $18,697 per year ($1,558 per month) with aid and attendance.
A survivor who is eligible for both DIC and Survivors Pension is paid whichever benefit is greater, not both at once. Our dedicated guides walk through each program in detail (see Learn More below).
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. For an eligible veteran, burial in a VA national cemetery comes at no cost to the family and includes the gravesite, opening and closing of the grave, perpetual care, a government headstone or marker, a burial flag, and a Presidential Memorial Certificate.
For deaths on or after October 1, 2025, a non-service-connected death qualifies for a $1,002 burial allowance plus a $1,002 plot or interment allowance when the veteran is not buried in a national cemetery. A service-connected death qualifies for a burial allowance of up to $2,000 for deaths on or after September 11, 2001.
There is no time limit when the death was service-connected, or when a non-service-connected death occurred while the veteran was in a VA health facility or VA-contracted facility. For other non-service-connected deaths, the claim must generally be filed within 2 years of burial or cremation, using VA Form 21P-530EZ.
In many cases, yes. A surviving spouse may qualify for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation, with a 2026 base rate of $1,699.36 per month, or for the needs-based Survivors Pension. A survivor eligible for both is paid whichever amount is greater.
Learn More
- VA Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC)
- VA Survivors Pension
- Veterans burial allowance and transportation benefits (VA.gov)
- Eligibility for burial in a VA national cemetery (VA.gov)
Related Brevy guides:
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The information on Brevy.com is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional legal, financial, or medical advice. Rules vary by state and program and change frequently. Always verify with the relevant agency or a qualified professional. Brevy is not a law firm, financial advisor, or healthcare provider.