Several burial advantages are offered to eligible veterans and their families by the Department of Veterans Affairs. These advantages might assist with the costs of funerals and associated expenses. This VA Burial Benefits fact sheet provides an overview of the different benefits available and eligibility requirements.
The Veterans Burial Benefits (VBA) program provides minimal money to eligible persons who die from service-related causes. They assist in paying eligible Veterans’ burial and funeral expenses. They are generally compensated at the maximum legal rate.
Read on to learn more about these benefits and how to apply for them. Funeral planning can be stressful enough without worrying about financial constraints, so let the VA help you take care of this final tribute to your loved one.
What Does the VA Cover for Veterans Funeral?
For deaths occurring on or after October 1, 2019 (if hospitalized by VA at time of death), or afterward (if not hospitalized by VA at time of death). The VA will pay up to $796 for burial and funeral expenses, plus a $300 plot-interment allowance. The VA also will provide a $2,000 burial allowance for veterans who die from a service-connected disability.
In addition, the VA provides a $300 transportation allowance to move the veteran’s remains to the place of burial. Suppose the veteran is buried in a national cemetery. In that case, the government will pay for the casket, grave liner, opening and closing of the grave, and perpetual care. A spouse and dependent children of a deceased veteran are entitled to burial in a national cemetery. For more information on VA burial benefits, visit https://www.benefits.va.gov/compensation/claims-special-burial.asp.
All veterans are buried with a burial flag and a headstone or marker and one of the 151 national veterans cemeteries for burial. There will be no charge for the graveyard, opening and closing the tomb, a vault or liner, and putting up the monument. Veterans will receive a government-issued headstone or marker and a flag for burial in a private cemetery for free. The family is responsible for all additional costs, such as body preparation, coffin or urn, and transportation in most situations.
Do All Veterans Get a Death Benefit?
If you are eligible for death benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), here are some things to know.
- You are covering the veteran’s burial and associated expenses.
- Your employer, insurance provider, and no other organization will compensate you.
You must be the survivor of a veteran’s death, a marital partner, child, parent, or executor/administrator of their estate. The veteran:
- A dishonorable discharge should not have been received.
They had to have died as a result of one of several pre-determined circumstances, such as:
- A veteran’s pension or compensation is being paid to you.
- Have you had a compensation or pension claim open?
- He died while receiving VA care.
Officer dying in the line of duty. The military service will cover the following costs for these veterans: body preparation, coffin or urn, transportation to the burial site, a gravesite in a national cemetery, burial, headstone or marker, and flag. In addition, immediate family members have entitlement to free transportation to the burial location. Finally, a $100,000 “death gratuity” is paid to next of kin.
When a service-related injury occurs: Veterans in this situation can apply for burial benefits of up to $2,000 to assist with the funeral director’s fees, the coffin, and transportation. In addition, if the veteran has a burial in a national cemetery, there may be reimbursement for transportation services.
There were no deaths caused by service: In many cases, the veteran is entitled to a national cemetery burial, a headstone or monument, and a burial flag, but not a payment. For example, up to $796 in burial and funeral costs are covered by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) when a loved one dies within a VA health care facility. However, suppose a veteran dies outside of a VA health care facility but is receiving a VA pension or disability compensation. In that case, they can receive $300 towards funeral and burial costs. The VA will pay an extra $796 for the grave or burial in a national cemetery in these cases.
Does VA Pay for Casket?
Unless a deceased veteran dies while on active duty, the VA or each branch of the military does not provide free caskets. The Veterans Affairs does not pay for goods and services acquired from funeral homes or cremation companies. On the other hand, at discount rates, some funeral homes provide caskets and other death goods and services to veterans groups such as the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW).
Do VA Benefits Pay for Cremation?
The Department of Veterans Affairs will pay for the cost of a cremation or a burial for eligible veterans. However, the money is not delivered straight to any provider; instead, the benefit is a reimbursement. Families are required to pay for the cost of cremation or burial before submitting a request and receipts. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) can take up to six months to complete these requests and provide the family with a check.
A service-related injury or disease must have caused the veteran’s death. If a spouse survives the veteran, that individual may receive the reimbursement for funeral costs. If there is no spouse, the reimbursement goes to the veteran’s children or parents. If there are no eligible survivors, the reimbursement may go to a friend or other interested party.
Other VA burial benefits may be available to veterans and their loved ones. The VA, for example, may provide a headstone or marker for the gravesite as well as a burial flag and Presidential Memorial Certificate. The Department of Veterans Affairs has more information about these and other benefits on its website. However, it is important to remember that not all veterans are eligible for the same benefits, so it is important to check with the VA to learn what is available.
