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VA Burial Benefits: Payments, Cemetery Help, and Forms

By CalculateBenefits Editorial Team · Reviewed by Mark Phaneuf, Publisher · September 2026

VA may help pay for an eligible Veteran's burial. It may also provide a grave in a national cemetery, a headstone or marker, and a burial flag.

The cash amount depends on the cause of death, the burial place, and who paid the bill. Applying is free.

How much can VA pay?

For a service-linked death on or after September 11, 2001, VA may pay up to $2,000 toward burial costs.

For a death that is not service-linked on or after October 1, 2025, the burial amount is $1,002. A separate plot amount of $1,002 may also apply when the burial is not in a national cemetery.

These rates can change. Check VA's current burial allowance page before you file.

Who can ask for the burial payment?

A person or group that paid the funeral or burial bill may file. This can be a spouse, child, parent, estate worker, friend, funeral home, or cemetery.

The Veteran must meet VA's service and discharge rules. The person who files must not have been paid back in full by another source.

A surviving spouse listed in the Veteran's VA record may get an automatic set payment. Other costs may still need a claim.

Is there a filing deadline?

There is no deadline for a service-linked burial payment. A claim for a death that is not service-linked often has a two-year deadline after burial.

Some plot, travel, and VA-care claims have no deadline. Do not wait to ask VA which rule fits.

What does a national cemetery burial include?

An eligible burial in a VA national cemetery can include:

• A grave in a cemetery with space
• Opening and closing the grave
• A government grave liner
• A headstone or marker
• Care of the grave

Some spouses and children may also qualify for burial there. VA makes the final choice.

A free cemetery burial does not include every funeral home cost. The family may still have a casket, urn, viewing, or local travel bill.

Can VA provide a flag or headstone?

VA may provide one burial flag for an eligible Veteran. The flag is used with the casket or urn and then given to the family.

VA may also provide a headstone, marker, or medallion. Rules differ for a private cemetery and a VA cemetery. A funeral home can help with the forms, but it cannot approve the item.

What papers should you gather?

• The Veteran's discharge paper, such as a DD214
• The death certificate
• Funeral and burial bills
• Proof that you paid
• Your bank and contact details

If a paper is missing, call VA. It may be able to find a service record or tell you what can be sent later.

How do you apply?

Use VA's online burial claim or VA Form 21P-530EZ. For a cemetery burial, call the National Cemetery Scheduling Office at 800-535-1117.

A VA-approved representative can help for free. Use VA's official search tool before you pay anyone.

Keep a copy of each form, bill, and VA letter. Ask for a claim number so you can check the case later.

Our VA DIC guide explains a different survivor benefit. The Survivors Pension guide covers need-based monthly help.