What Va Burial and Funeral Benefits are Available for a Veteran Who Dies at Home?

For a veteran who passes away at home, we understand how important it is to secure the support they earned through their service. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs provides several key benefits to assist your family with final arrangements:

• Burial Allowance: For a non-service-connected death occurring on or after September 11, 2001, the basic burial allowance is up to $2,000. This benefit is designed to reimburse out-of-pocket funeral and burial costs, provided no other government assistance covered those expenses.
• Plot and Interment Allowance: In addition to the burial allowance, the VA offers specific payments to help cover the cost of a burial plot or interment.
• Headstone or Marker: The VA provides a government-furnished headstone or marker for the veteran’s grave, even if you choose a private cemetery instead of a national one.

If you are a surviving spouse already listed on the veteran’s VA profile, you may receive these burial benefit payments automatically without needing to file a separate claim. If the information is not on file, or if another family member paid the expenses, you will need to file VA Form 21P-530EZ along with the death certificate and itemized receipts.

We treat your family like our own, and our Veteran-focused Services are here to help you gather the necessary documents, such as the veteran’s DD214, to ensure your claim is processed smoothly. While we cannot change the outcome, we can affect the journey by helping you navigate these administrative steps during a difficult time.

• What Does the VA Do When a Veteran Dies: Essential Guide for Families