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Find out how to apply for a Veterans burial allowance to help cover burial, funeral, and transportation costs (sometimes called “Veterans death benefits”). Find out what costs VA pays for, and review current burial allowance amounts, depending on the Veteran’s service and medical history.
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How to apply for a Veterans burial allowance

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Find out how to get Veterans burial allowances (sometimes called “Veterans death benefits”) to help cover burial, funeral, and transportation costs.

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Questions

What kind of burial benefits can I get?

If you’re eligible, you may receive these benefits:

  • VA burial allowance for burial and funeral costs
  • VA plot or interment allowance for the cost of the plot (gravesite) or interment
  • VA transportation reimbursement for the cost of transporting the Veteran’s remains to the final resting place

Note: You’ll need to pay for these services or other costs first before you apply for an allowance.

Is there a time limit for filing?

You must file a claim for a non-service-connected burial allowance within 2 years after the Veteran’s burial or cremation. If a Veteran’s discharge was changed after death from dishonorable to another status, you must file for an allowance claim within 2 years after the discharge update.

There’s no time limit to file for a service-connected burial, plot, or interment allowance.

What documents do I need to send with my application?

You’ll need to send copies of these documents:

  • The Veteran’s military discharge papers (DD214 or other separation documents)
  • The Veteran’s death certificate
  • Any documents or receipts you have for the cost of transporting the Veteran’s remains
  • A statement of account (preferably with the letterhead of the funeral director or cemetery owner)

The statement of account should include this information:

  • The Veteran’s name
  • The type of service or item purchased
  • Any credits
  • The unpaid balance

As a surviving spouse, do I need to file a claim for burial costs?

No, you don’t need to file a claim as a surviving spouse, as long as you’re listed as the Veteran’s spouse on the Veteran’s profile. When we receive notice of the Veteran’s death, we automatically pay a set amount to those eligible surviving spouses to help pay for the plot, the cost of interment, or transportation of the remains to the cemetery.

burials-app-status

You can also apply:

By mail
Apply by mail using an Application for Burial Benefits (VA Form 21P-530EZ).
Download VA Form 21P-530EZ (PDF)

Mail the application and other documents listed above to your nearest VA regional office.
Find your nearest VA regional office

If you have questions, call 800-827-1000 (TTY: 711). We’re here Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. ET. Or call your VA regional office.


Burial allowance amounts

What are the burial allowance amounts for a service-connected death?

Table
Status Maximum burial allowance (in U.S. $)
If the Veteran died on or after September 11, 2001 2,000
If the Veteran died before September 11, 2001 1,500
If the Veteran is buried in a VA national cemetery We may pay you back for some or all of the costs of moving the Veteran’s remains

What are the burial allowance amounts for a non-service-connected death?

Table
Status Maximum burial allowance
If the Veteran died on or after January 5, 2023 We’ll pay a $893 burial allowance and $893 for a plot
If the Veteran died on or after October 1, 2022, but before January 5, 2023 We’ll pay a $300 burial allowance and $893 for a plot
If the Veteran died on or after October 1, 2021, but before October 1, 2022 We’ll pay a $300 burial allowance and $828 for a plot
If the Veteran died on or after October 1, 2020, but before October 1, 2021 We’ll pay a $300 burial allowance and $807 for a plot
If the Veteran died on or after October 1, 2019, but before October 1, 2020 We’ll pay a $300 burial allowance and $796 for a plot
If the Veteran died on or after October 1, 2018, but before October 1, 2019 We’ll pay a $300 burial allowance and $780 for a plot
If the Veteran died on or after October 1, 2017, but before October 1, 2018 We’ll pay a $300 burial allowance and $762 for a plot
If the Veteran died on or after October 1, 2016, but before October 1, 2017 We’ll pay a $300 burial allowance and $749 for a plot
If the Veteran died on or after October 1, 2015, but before October 1, 2016 We’ll pay a $300 burial allowance and $747 for a plot
If the Veteran died on or after October 1, 2014, but before October 1, 2015 We’ll pay a $300 burial allowance and $745 for a plot
If the Veteran died on or after October 1, 2013, but before October 1, 2014 We’ll pay a $300 burial allowance and $734 for a plot

Note: If a Veteran’s remains aren’t claimed, we’ll pay the person or organization responsible for the Veteran’s burial a burial allowance based on the rates in this table. If the deceased qualifies, we may pay you back for the costs of moving the Veteran’s remains to a VA national cemetery.

What are the burial allowance amounts for a non-service-connected death if the Veteran was hospitalized by VA at the time of their death?

Table
Status Maximum burial allowance
If the Veteran died on or after October 1, 2022 We’ll pay a $893 burial allowance and $893 for a plot
If the Veteran died on or after October 1, 2021, but before October 1, 2022 We’ll pay a $828 burial allowance and $828 for a plot
If the Veteran died on or after October 1, 2020, but before October 1, 2021 We’ll pay a $807 burial allowance and $807 for a plot
If the Veteran died on or after October 1, 2019, but before October 1, 2020 We’ll pay a $796 burial allowance and $796 for a plot
If the Veteran died on or after October 1, 2018, but before October 1, 2019 We’ll pay a $780 burial allowance and $780 for a plot
If the Veteran died on or after October 1, 2017, but before October 1, 2018 We’ll pay a $762 burial allowance and $762 for a plot
If the Veteran died on or after October 1, 2016, but before October 1, 2017 We’ll pay a $749 burial allowance and $749 for a plot
If the Veteran died on or after October 1, 2015, but before October 1, 2016 We’ll pay a $747 burial allowance and $747 for a plot
If the Veteran died on or after October 1, 2014, but before October 1, 2015 We’ll pay a $745 burial allowance and $745 for a plot
If the Veteran died on or after October 1, 2013, but before October 1, 2014 We’ll pay a $734 burial allowance and $734 for a plot

We may also pay you back for some or all of the costs of moving the Veteran’s remains if one of these descriptions is true:

  • The Veteran was hospitalized or in a VA-contracted nursing home at the time of death, or
  • The Veteran died while traveling to VA-authorized care

Headstone or marker allowance amounts

Table
Status Maximum headstone or marker allowance (in U.S. $)
If the Veteran died on or after October 1, 2021 231
If the Veteran died on or after October 1, 2020, but before October 1, 2021 231
If the Veteran died on or after October 1, 2019, but before October 1, 2020 236
If the Veteran died on or after October 1, 2018, but before October 1, 2019 290
If the Veteran died on or after October 1, 2017, but before October 1, 2018 195
If the Veteran died on or after October 1, 2016, but before October 1, 2017 208
If the Veteran died on or after October 1, 2015, but before October 1, 2016 218
If the Veteran died on or after October 1, 2014, but before October 1, 2015 199
If the Veteran died on or after October 1, 2013, but before October 1, 2014 205