🎖️ Veterans Funeral Benefits: What's Free, What's Reimbursed, and How to Claim
Veterans and their families are entitled to some of the most generous burial benefits in the country — routinely worth $3,000–$6,000 — yet a large share go unclaimed simply because families don't know to ask. Almost any veteran with a discharge other than dishonorable qualifies for the core benefits.
What's Free: National Cemetery Burial
Burial in any of the 155+ VA national cemeteries includes, at no cost:
- The burial plot
- Opening and closing of the grave
- A government-furnished headstone or marker
- A burial flag
- Perpetual care of the grave site
- Military funeral honors — at minimum, two uniformed service members folding and presenting the flag and playing Taps
Spouses and dependent children are typically eligible for burial beside the veteran in the same plot. Contact the National Cemetery Scheduling Office at 1-800-535-1117 — ideally before death, since a small amount of paperwork (DD-214) makes the process far faster later.
Cash Allowances
| Situation | VA Burial Allowance |
|---|---|
| Death connected to military service | up to $2,000 |
| Non-service-connected death, hospitalized by VA at death | up to $893 |
| Other non-service-connected deaths | up to $300–$893 depending on date/eligibility |
| Plot allowance (burial in a private cemetery) | up to $893 |
These reimburse funeral and burial costs and are claimed with VA Form 21P-530 (or 21P-530EZ) after the funeral. The funeral home will often help complete it.
The Government Headstone (Even in Private Cemeteries)
Veterans buried in private cemeteries still qualify for a free government headstone or marker — the cemetery may charge a setting fee ($100–$500), but the stone itself is free. Memorial markers are also available for veterans whose remains weren't recovered or were cremated and scattered.
How to Claim: The Paperwork
- Find the DD-214 (discharge papers) — the single most important document. No DD-214 slows everything; request a replacement via the National Archives (eVetRecs) if needed
- Call the National Cemetery Scheduling Office (1-800-535-1117) for national cemetery burial
- File VA Form 21P-530 for burial allowances within 2 years of burial
- Order the flag through any VA regional office or post office (VA Form 27-2008), typically done by the funeral home
What Veterans Benefits Don't Cover
Be clear-eyed: VA benefits rarely cover the funeral home's service fees, casket, or cremation costs — those remain the family's responsibility (or are covered by the allowances above). The biggest savings come from the cemetery side: plot, opening/closing, marker, and perpetual care.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do all veterans get a free funeral?
No — but all eligible veterans get free cemetery burial (plot, opening/closing, marker, flag, perpetual care) in a national cemetery, plus cash allowances toward funeral costs. The funeral home's fees are separate.
What documents do you need for veterans burial benefits?
The DD-214 discharge document is essential. With it, call the National Cemetery Scheduling Office (1-800-535-1117) and file VA Form 21P-530 for allowances.
Can a spouse be buried with a veteran in a national cemetery?
Yes — surviving spouses and dependent children are generally eligible for interment in the same gravesite at no cost, including their marker inscription on the veteran's headstone.