Veterans
VA will pay a burial allowance up to $1,500 if the veteran's death is service connected.
VA also will pay the cost of transporting the remains of a service-disabled veteran
to the national cemetery nearest the home of a deceased that has available gravesites.
In such cases, the person who bore the veteran's burial expenses may claim reimbursement
from VA. VA will pay a $300 burial and funeral expense allowance for veterans who,
at time of death, were entitled to receive pension or compensation or would have
been entitled to compensation but for receipt of military retirement pay.
Eligibility also is established when death occurs in a VA facility or a nursing
home with which VA contracted. Additional costs of transportation of the remains
may be reimbursed. There is no time limit for filing reimbursement claims of service-connected
deaths. In other deaths, claims must be filed within two years after permanent burial
or cremation.
VA will pay a $150 plot allowance when the veteran is not buried in a cemetery that
is under U.S. Government jurisdiction if the veteran is discharged from active duty
because of disability incurred or aggravated in line of duty, if the veteran was
in receipt of compensation or pension or would have been in receipt of compensation
but for receipt of military retired pay, or if the veteran died while hospitalized
by VA. The plot allowance is not payable solely on wartime service.
If the veteran is buried without charge for the cost of a plot or interment in a
state-owned cemetery reserved solely for veteran burials, the $150 plot allowance
may be paid to the state. Burial expenses paid by the deceased's employer or a state
agency will not be reimbursed.
Burial Flags
VA provides an American flag to drape the casket of a veteran and to a person entitled
to retired military pay. After the funeral service, the flag may be given to the
next of kin or a close associate. VA also will issue a flag on behalf of a service
member who was missing in action and later presumed dead. Flags are issued at VA
regional offices, national cemeteries, and post offices.
Burial in National Cemeteries VA Cemeteries
Burial benefits in a VA national cemetery include the gravesite, opening and closing
of the grave, and perpetual care. Many national cemeteries have columbaria for the
inurnment of cremated remains or special gravesites for the burial of cremated remains.
Headstones and markers and their placement are provided at the government's expense.
Veterans and armed forces members who die on active duty are eligible for burial
in one of VA's 114 national cemeteries. An eligible veteran must have been discharged
or separated from active duty under honorable or general conditions and have completed
the required period of service. Persons entitled to retired pay as a result of 20
years creditable service with a reserve component are eligible. A U.S. citizen who
served in the armed forces of a government allied with the United States in a war
also may be eligible.
Spouses and minor children of eligible veterans and of armed forces members also
may be buried in a national cemetery. A surviving spouse of an eligible veteran
who married a nonveteran, and whose remarriage was teminated by death or divorce,
is eligible for burial in a national cemetery.
Gravesites in national cemeteries cannot be reserved. Funeral directors or others
making burial arrangements must apply at the time of death. Reservations made under
previous programs are honored. The National Cemetery System normally does not conduct
burials on weekends. A weekend caller, however, will be directed to on eof three
strategically located VA cemetery offices that remain open during weekends to schedule
burials at the cemetery of the caller's choice during the following week.
Headstones and Markers
VA provides headstones and markers for the unmarked graves of veterans anywhere
in the world and for eligible dependents of veterans buried in national, state veteran
or military cemeteries.
Flat bronze, flat granite, flat marble, upright granite and upright marble types
are available to mark the grave in a style consistent with the place of burial.
Niche markers also are available to mark columbaria used for inurnment of cremated
remains.
Headstones and markers are inscribed with the name of the deceased, the years of
birth and death, and branch of service. Optional items that also may be inscribed
at VA expense are: military grade, rank or rate; war service such as World War II;
months and days of birth and death; an emblem reflecting one's beliefs; valor awards;
and the Purple Heart. Additional items may be inscribed at private expense.
When burial is in a national, state veteran or military cemetery, the headstone
marker is ordered through the cemetery, inscription, shipping and placement can
be obtained from the cemetery.
When burial occurs in a cemetery other than a national, military post or state veterans
cemetery, the headstone marker must be applied for from VA. It is shipped at government
expense. VA, however, does not pay the cost of placing the headstone or marker on
the grave. To apply, you must complete VA form 40-1330 and forward it to Director,
Office of Memorial Programs (403A), National Cemetery System, Department of Veterans
Affairs, Washington, DC 20420. Forms and assistance are available at VA application
you may call the Director, Office of Memorial Programs at 1-800-697-6947.
VA cannot issue a headstone or marker for a spouse or child buried in a private
cemetery. Twenty year reservists without active duty service are eligible for a
headstone or marker, if they are entitled to military retired pay at the time of
death.
Headstones or Markers for Memorial Plots
To memorialize an eligible veteran whose remains are not available for burial, VA
will provide a plot and headstone or marker in a national cemetery. The headstone
or marker is the same as that used to identify a grave except that the mandatory
phrase "In Memory of" precedes the authorized inscription. The headstone or marker
is available to memorialize eligible veterans or deceased active-duty members whose
remains were not recovered or identified, were buried at sea, donated to science,
or cremated and scattered. The memorial marker may be provided for placement in
a cemetery other than a national cemetery. In such a case, VA supplies the marker
and pays the cost of shipping, but does not pay for the plot or the placement of
the marker. Only a relative recognized as the next of kin may apply for the benefit.
Presidential Memorial Certificates
The Presidential Memorial Certificate is a parchment certificate with a calligraphic
inscription expressing the nation's recognition of the veteran's service. The veteran's
name is inscribed and the certificate bears the signature of the President. Certificates
are issued in the name of honorably discharged, deceased veterans. Eligible recipients
include next of kin, other relatives and friends. The award of a certificate to
one eligible recipient does not preclude certificates to other eligible recipients.
The veteran may have died at any time in the past. The local VA regional office
generally originates the application for a Presidential Memorial Certificate. The
next of kin also may request a certificate. Requests should be accompanied by a
copy of a document such as a discharge to establish honorable service. VA regional
offices can assist in applying for certificates.
Headstone and Gravemarker Program
1-800-697-6947
8:00am to 4:30pm Eastern Time
Government Life Insurance Information
VA Insurance Center
1-800-669-8477
8:00am to 6:30pm Eastern Time