Many benefits are available to veterans. We hope the list on this page will help you determine the benefits for which you qualify.
VA Cash Benefits for Burial & Cremation
If the veteran died or will die at a VA hospital
The veteran is eligable for:
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- $700 burial or cremation allowance.
- $700 plot allowance if they do not use a national cemetery and they have a receipt or the veteran and spouse is entitled to the use of a national cemetery (approximate value of which is $14,645.)
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If the veteran died or will die outside a VA hospital:
If the veteran received a monthly VA service connected disability pension:
The veteran is eligible to receive:
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- $300 burial or cremation allowance
- $300 plot allowance if they do not use a national cemetery and they have a receipt or the veteran and spouse is entitled to the use of a national cemetery (approximate value of which is $14,645.)
- Depending on the circumstance transportation may be paid if the burial is in a national cemetery.
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If the veteran received a monthly VA support pension:
The veteran is eligible to receive:
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- $300 burial or cremation allowance
- $300 plot allowance if they do not use a national cemetery and they have a receipt or the veteran and spouse is entitled to the use of a national cemetery (approximate value of which is $14,645.)
- Transportation is never paid by the VA
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If the veteran receives a 100% service connected disability pension:
The veteran is eligible to receive:
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- Up to $2,000 of the funeral or cremation costs are reimbursed to the family if the veteran’s death is service connected.
- Use of a national cemetery is permitted for the veteran and spouse (approximate value of which is $14,645.)
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If any of the above is due the veteran, Military Honors will apply for the VA Burial Benefits for reimbursement to the family when it is paid.
Other VA Burial & Cremation Benefits
Burial in National Cemetery
Free grave space for veterans, spouse, and dependent children. Conditions to be met:
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- Honorably discharged veterans, serving any length of time before 9/7/1980.
- Veterans entering military service after this time must complete 24 months of continuous active duty, or the full time for which the person was called to active duty.
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All associated cemetery services and merchandise are also available.
Military Honors will order grave space, and opening and closing of grave space.
Headstone or Marker
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- In a National Cemetery, veteran, spouse, and dependent children receive free headstones.
- If burial in private cemetery, government will provide simple marker for veteran only, if the grave is unmarked.
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Military Honors will order marker and engraving.
Memorial Monuments
First line of monument is inscribed "In Memory Of". These are for:
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- Cremations, when ashes are scattered.
- Burial at sea.
- Veterans whose remains are non-recoverable.
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Military Honors will order monument, at family's request.
Burial Flag at Cemetery
For Cremation, flag is folded and presented to next-of-kin or close friend of the veteran.
Military Honors will order flag.
Military Honors
Rules about military honors often change. Information provided can change at any time.
Burial Flag
Eligible deceased veteran's family will receive a flag. Veteran must have been honorable discharged.
21 Gun Salute
Usually Available
Bugler to play "Taps"
Usually Available
Retired Navy and Marine Honors
Not all honors available because they do not have a base in area. We are never sure until we schedule honors.
Retired Army and Air Force Honors
All honors listed above, including military chaplain.
With recent military cutbacks, except for the burial flag, honors are difficult to arrange. Our staff will do their best to set as many honors as they can. We consider the ordering of Military Honors a priority.