Hospice-Veteran Partnership Toolkit : 7. Exploring Veterans' Issues and the VA Health System : Burial Benefits

What Burial Benefits are Available for Veterans and their Family Members?

Veterans and members of the armed forces (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard) who were honorably discharged, and not guilty of a capital offense, are eligible for burial in a VA national cemetery. With certain exceptions, service beginning after September 7, 1980, as an enlisted person, and service after October 16, 1981, as an officer, must be for a minimum of 24 months or the full period for which the person was called to active duty. (Examples of exceptions include those serving less than 24 months in the Gulf War or reservists who were federalized by Presidential Act.)

A veteran's family may be eligible for a VA Burial Allowance if they:

Paid for a veteran's burial or funeral AND
Have not been reimbursed by another government agency or some other source, such as the deceased veteran's employer and
the veteran was discharged under conditions other than dishonorable.

In addition, at least one of the following conditions must be met:

The veteran died because of a service-related disability OR
The veteran was receiving VA pension or compensation at the time of death OR
The veteran was entitled to receive VA pension or compensation but decided not to reduce his/her military retirement or disability pay OR
The veteran died in a VA hospital or while in a nursing home under VA contract, or while in an approved state nursing home

How much does the VA pay for burial services?

For a service-related death, the VA will pay up to $1,500 toward burial expenses for deaths prior to September 10, 2001. For deaths on or after September 11, 2001, VA will pay $2,000. If the veteran is buried in a VA national cemetery, some or all of the cost of moving the deceased may be reimbursed.

For nonservice-related deaths, the VA will pay up to $300 toward burial and funeral expenses, and a $150 plot-interment allowance for deaths prior to December 1, 2001. The plot-interment allowance is $300 for deaths on or after December 1, 2001. If the death occurred while the veteran was in a VA hospital or under contracted nursing home care, some of all of the costs for transporting the deceased's remains may be reimbursed.

How can one apply for burial benefits?

One can apply by filling out VA Form 21-530, Application for Burial Allowance. A proof of the veteran's military service (DD 214), a death certificate, and copies of funeral and burial bills that have been paid must be attached. For more information, go to http://www.vba.va.gov/bln/21/Milsvc/Docs/Burialeg.doc.

Information regarding burial of unclaimed, indigent veterans can be found at http://www.vba.va.gov/bln/21/Topics/Indigent/index.htm.

You can download Burial Benefits as a Microsoft Word file.

Allow time for the download to complete. Your screen may be blank while download is in progress. After download completes you can save a copy of the file to your own computer for detailed study.

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This toolkit is provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs National Hospice-Veteran Partnership (HVP) Program. Development of the toolkit was made possible through support by Rallying Points, the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization, the Center for Advanced Illness Coordinated Care, and other end-of-life care advocates. Information about VAHPC initiatives is made available for use within the Inter-Institutional Collaborating Network on End-of-life Care (IICN) with the assistance of Growth House, Inc.