Resource Library

November 3, 2025
Key Financial Benefits The VA offers several burial allowances to help families with funeral costs. For veterans who pass away after October 1, 2024, the VA provides $978 for burial and $978 for plot allowance , with up to $2,000 available for service-connected deaths. These amounts are adjusted annually to keep pace with inflation, ensuring families receive meaningful financial support during a difficult time. Eligibility Extends to Families Eligible veterans, their spouses, and dependent children can be buried in a VA national cemetery at no cost , which includes the gravesite, opening and closing of the grave, perpetual care, a government headstone or marker, a burial flag, and a Presidential Memorial Certificate. Cremated remains receive the same honors as casketed burials. Families can also apply for pre-need eligibility to confirm burial approval before the time of need, easing future stress. Honors, Headstones & Additional Support All eligible veterans receive a burial flag and may receive military honors . The VA provides headstones, markers, and medallions at no cost, even for private cemeteries. Transportation reimbursement may apply when burial is in a national cemetery, and families of service-connected deaths face no filing deadlines , ensuring access to full benefits. State veterans cemeteries and Arlington National Cemetery offer additional options, each with unique eligibility requirements.