BURIAL BENEFITS

What does a burial in a VA National Cemetery include?

• Grave site in a national cemetery with available space.

• Opening and closing of the grave

• Burial liner

• A headstone or marker provided by the government

• Ongoing care of the grave site

​​

Additionally, veterans, service members, and reservists also qualify for:

• A burial flag

• A Presidential Memorial Certificate

• Military funeral honors provided by the Department of Defense

• Burial allowance and transportation benefits

​​

How do I locate a VA National Cemetery? 

​

To locate a VA National Cemetery, click here to find a location by state, contact a cemetery, get directions, look up the schedule for a burial, and/or find a veteran's memorial page and post a tribute or photo in their honor. 

​​​​

Can I preplan for burial in a VA National Cemetery? 

​

Absolutely! You can apply ahead of time to find out if you are eligible for burial in a VA National Cemetery. This can help make the burial process easier for your family members in their time of need. Preplanning for burial in a VA National Cemetery is called "Pre-Need Eligibility Determination" and if approved you will receive a "Pre-Need Decision Letter" which confirms your eligibility. 

​

To begin this process, you will need:

• A copy of your DD214 or other separating documents 

• Social Security Number and Date of Birth

• Your military history (or the military history of the veteran or service member you’re connected to)

• The name and/or location of your preferred VA National Cemetery 

 

Once you have these supporting documents you can apply for Pre-Need Eligibility Determination online by clicking here. ​If you would like to apply by mail or fax, please download and complete VA Form VA40-10007 and submit with your supporting documents to the address or fax number located on the form.  

​​​

How do I schedule a burial if we did not preplan? 

​

You may still schedule a burial in a VA National Cemetery without a Pre-Need Decision Letter. You may want to choose a funeral director to help you plan the burial, then either you or the funeral director will need to gather and submit the following documents in order to schedule a burial in a VA National Cemetery. 

 

You will need:

• The veteran's DD214 (their discharge from service needs to have been under conditions other than dishonorable in order to be eligible) 

• Veteran's Death Certificate

• Personal information about the deceased and the next of kin - click here to download a checklist of the information you will need to gather

• Burial details such as preferred cemetery, type of burial (casket or cremation), type of gravesite memorial (headstone, grave marker, niche cover, or medallion), any religious emblem or optional inscription to be included on the headstone or marker

​​​

Once you have gathered everything you or the funeral director may scan and email these documents to the National Cemetery Scheduling Office at NCA.Scheduling@va.gov please include the person's name you're requesting burial benefits for in the subject line. You may also fax these documents to the Scheduling Office at 866-900-6417.

​

​After you have sent your documents to the National Cemetery Scheduling Office call 800-535-1117 (TTY: 711) to confirm your application. Please have your documents ready when you call to confirm details. Their office is open Monday-Friday 8:00 AM - 7:30 PM (EST) and Saturday 9:00 AM - 5:30 PM (EST). 

​​​​​​

Are there benefits for veteran burials at private cemeteries?

​

Yes. Funeral home directors can usually arrange for veteran burial benefits by request. These benefits include: a VA provided headstone or marker for a veteran buried in a private cemetery, a burial flag to drape on the veteran's casket or urn during the funeral, Military Funeral Honors for the veteran (i.e. burial flag folding presentation, "Taps" played on bugle or by recording), and a Presidential Memorial Certificate honoring the veteran. Some families may also be eligible for limited burial cost reimbursement. 

​

Are there services for Burial at Sea?

​

Yes, these services are provided by the U.S. Navy, not the National Cemetery Administration. These services are performed while the ship is deployed therefore, family members are not allowed to be present for the committal ceremony. However, the commanding officer of the ship will notify the family of the date, time, longitude and latitude of where the committal service was completed. 

​

You will need the veterans DD214, death certificate, burial transit permit or the cremation certificate. For more information about eligibility click here or call 833-330-6622 to request a Burial at Sea packet. 

 ​

Can I have memorial contributions made to VETLIFE in lieu of flowers to honor a veteran? 

​

Yes. Please inform your funeral director that you would like to list VETLIFE as your family's charity and they will list it in the obituary. Memorial contributions can be made in your loved one's name by visiting: www.vetlifetoday.org/memorial

Those who make a donation may also download a custom donor memorial card to include in a sympathy card to the family stating that a donation was made in their loved one's honor. 

​

I have additional questions regarding veteran burial benefits. 

​

If you need additional assistance regarding burial benefits for a veteran please try the following resources.

​

• Schedule an appointment with a Veterans Service Officer (VSO) - Click here to locate one nearest you.

• Download the Burial Benefits Guide published by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. 

• Speak to your preferred funeral home director regarding veteran burial benefits. ​