Veterans burial allowance by US Gov and Veterans death benefits by US Gov: Losing a loved one is hard. Dealing with paperwork and funeral costs on top of grief makes it harder. Fortunately, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and federal programs provide burial and survivor benefits — including a veterans burial allowance that can repay some funeral, burial, plot, and transportation costs for eligible veterans. This clear, step-by-step guide explains who qualifies, what costs are covered, how much you may get, important filing deadlines, and exactly how to apply — with an easy checklist you can use today.
Quick snapshot — what you’ll learn
- Who’s eligible for VA burial benefits and what “not dishonorably discharged” means. (Veterans Affairs)
- What costs the burial allowance can cover and typical dollar amounts you should expect. (Benefits Home Page, Veterans Affairs)
- Deadlines: when you must file and when payments are automatic. (Veterans Affairs)
- A simple, 11-step application and documentation checklist so you can act fast. (Veterans Affairs, VA.gov)
- How to schedule a burial in a VA national cemetery and whom to call. (Veterans Affairs)
I’ll also include a short FAQ and a printable final checklist at the end.
1 — What is the VA burial allowance
The VA burial allowance is a one-time, flat-rate payment that helps cover certain costs associated with the funeral, burial, interment (plot), and transportation of the veteran’s remains. The allowance is intended to help surviving family members, estate managers, or funeral providers who actually paid for these expenses. (Veterans Affairs)
2 — Who must the veteran have been (core eligibility rules)
To be eligible for VA burial benefits, the veteran must meet several basic conditions:
- The veteran must not have been dishonorably discharged from military service. (Veterans Affairs)
- Additionally, the veteran must have met at least one of the following at the time of death (or by law):
- Died from a service-connected disability, or
- Was receiving VA pension or disability compensation at time of death, or
- Was receiving care in a VA facility or a VA-contracted nursing facility when they died. (Veterans Affairs)
If the veteran’s discharge was changed after death (for example, upgraded from dishonorable to another status), that change affects eligibility and may require filing within a special window — see the time-limit section below. (VBA)
3 — What costs can the VA burial allowance help repay?
The burial allowance can reimburse some or all of the following:
- Funeral and burial costs (a lump sum payment toward the expense). (Benefits Home Page)
- Plot or interment costs when not buried in a national cemetery (a separate plot/interment allowance may apply). (Benefits Home Page)
- Transportation costs to move the veteran’s remains to the final resting place — in some cases VA will reimburse the cost of transporting the remains. (Veterans Affairs)
Which specific items are covered and how much is repayable depends on the veteran’s circumstances (service-connected vs non-service-connected death, whether the veteran was hospitalized by VA when they died, etc.). See the amounts section next for typical figures. (Benefits Home Page)
4 — How much will VA pay? Typical amounts (what to expect)
Amounts have changed over time and depend on whether the death was service-connected and on the date of death. Important general figures (please verify for your specific case with the VA pages listed at the end):
- For service-connected deaths, the burial allowance is typically larger (for some eligibility windows VA has paid up to $2,000 for service-connected deaths occurring after certain dates). (Veterans Affairs)
- For non-service-connected deaths, VA publishes statutory flat amounts that are periodically updated. For example, after October 1, 2024 VA updated certain burial and plot allowances (for recent periods VA published amounts such as $978 toward burial/funeral expenses and a $978 plot/interment allowance in some cases — exact amounts depend on the veteran’s date and cause of death). Always check the VA’s benefits page for current figures that apply to your claim. (Benefits Home Page, Veterans Affairs)
Because payments are tied to specific legal conditions (service-connection, VA hospitalization at death, or whether the claimant is a spouse vs other claimant), the best rule is: collect your receipts and file — the VA will determine the correct payment amount. (Veterans Affairs)
5 — Do surviving spouses or close relatives have to file the claim?
- Surviving spouse: In many common situations, a surviving spouse does not need to file — the VA will automatically pay the spouse a set amount when the VA receives official notice of the veteran’s death and the spouse is listed in VA records as the veteran’s surviving spouse. This automatic payment mainly applies when the veteran was a VA beneficiary before passing. (Veterans Affairs)
- Other claimants (relative, funeral home, estate manager): If someone else (for example, a child, sibling, the person who paid funeral costs, or the estate) paid the costs, they must file a claim to receive reimbursement. Use VA Form 21P-530EZ (Application for Burial Benefits) to apply online or by mail. (Veterans Affairs, VA.gov)
6 — Important time limits — file on time or the claim may be denied
Timing matters and depends on whether the death is service-connected or not:
- Service-connected death: There is no time limit for filing a claim for a service-connected burial allowance, plot allowance, or transportation benefit. (Veterans Affairs)
- Non-service-connected death: You must file within two years of the veteran’s permanent burial or cremation date to claim the non-service-connected burial allowance — unless the veteran died while hospitalized in a VA facility or the veteran was receiving VA benefits at death (those cases often have no time limit). If a veteran’s discharge status was changed after death (from dishonorable to another status), the claimant generally must file within two years of the discharge correction. (Veterans Affairs, VBA)
If you’re uncertain about timing, file an informal claim as soon as possible; VA guidance allows informal claims and can help trigger paperwork requests. (Benefits Home Page)
7 — Documents you’ll need to apply (collect these before you start)
Gathering documents beforehand speeds processing. Typical evidence the VA asks for includes:
- Veteran’s death certificate (cause of death may be relevant). (Veterans Affairs)
- Receipts or an itemized statement of funeral/burial/transportation costs (funeral director or cemetery statement of account is helpful). (Veterans Affairs)
- Veteran’s DD214 or other separation/discharge documents (showing service history and discharge characterization). If you don’t have these, you can request military service records from the National Archives and VA can help verify service. (Veterans Affairs, VBA)
- If claiming transportation costs: itemized transportation receipts showing cost breakdown. (VBA)
- If the veteran died of a service-connected condition: medical records or other supporting documents may speed the decision (optional but helpful). (Veterans Affairs)
Keep originals safe; submit copies with your application unless the VA specifically requests originals.
8 — How to apply step-by-step (11 steps you can follow right now)
- Confirm eligibility quickly. Check that the veteran’s discharge is not dishonorable and whether the veteran was receiving VA benefits or died from a service-connected condition. (Veterans Affairs)
- Collect documents listed in the previous section (death certificate, receipts, DD214, transportation receipts if applicable). (Veterans Affairs)
- Decide who will file. Surviving spouses may receive certain automatic payments; otherwise the person who paid the bills or managed the estate should file. (Veterans Affairs)
- Apply online (fastest) — use the VA’s online burial allowance application tool (Form 21P-530EZ online). (Veterans Affairs)
- Or apply by mail — download and complete VA Form 21P-530EZ (PDF) and mail to the Pension Management Center per the form instructions. (VBA, Benefits Home Page)
- If seeking transportation reimbursement, include itemized transport receipts and a statement of account. (VBA)
- If you need help, contact the VA benefits hotline (800-827-1000, TTY: 711) or your nearest VA regional office for assistance. (VA.gov)
- If planning burial at a national cemetery, schedule directly with the National Cemetery Scheduling Office (800-535-1117, TTY: 711). Fax or email discharge papers as instructed to speed scheduling. (Veterans Affairs, VA.gov)
- Track your claim — the VA will notify you of decisions and any additional evidence required. Keep copies of everything you sent. (Benefits Home Page)
- If denied, follow the VA’s appeal process or request clarification — contact VA for appeals instructions. (Benefits Home Page)
- If your veteran’s discharge was changed after death, file within two years of that change if it affects eligibility. (VBA)
9 — Scheduling a burial in a VA national cemetery (practical how-to)
If you plan burial in a VA national cemetery, you or the funeral director can call the National Cemetery Scheduling Office at 800-535-1117 (TTY: 711) to request a burial and find available dates. When calling, you may be asked to fax discharge documents to 866-900-6417 or email them to the scheduling office — follow the instructions on the VA site for required documents. National cemeteries typically schedule burials Monday–Friday (with some weekend exceptions for holiday weekends). (Veterans Affairs, VA.gov)
If you’d prefer to confirm in advance whether a veteran is eligible for burial in a VA cemetery, you can request a pre-need determination so the family has a pre-verification letter on file. That can simplify planning later. (Veterans Affairs)
10 — Common pitfalls — and how to avoid them
- Missing the two-year window for non-service deaths. If the veteran’s death was not service-connected and the claim is filed more than two years after burial or cremation, the claim may be denied unless special circumstances apply. File promptly. (Veterans Affairs)
- Failing to include receipts or an itemized statement of account. The VA needs evidence of costs you paid. Collect funeral director statements and receipts before mailing. (Veterans Affairs)
- Not verifying discharge status. If you think the veteran might have a less than honorable discharge, check service records or request a discharge upgrade — sometimes upgrades after death create eligibility. If discharge status was changed after death, special filing rules apply. (VBA)
- Assuming everything is automatic. Surviving spouses may automatically receive some payments, but other claimants must file. If you paid the bill yourself and are not the spouse, file Form 21P-530EZ. (Veterans Affairs)
11 — Quick FAQ (answers that matter)
Q — How long before I get paid?
A — Processing times vary with case complexity and document completeness. Submitting a complete claim with supporting documents speeds review. If a veteran died of service-connected causes or was a VA beneficiary at death and a surviving spouse is listed, some automatic payments occur when the VA is notified. Otherwise, plan for weeks to a few months depending on VA workload and whether additional evidence is requested. (Veterans Affairs, Benefits Home Page)
Q — Can a funeral home file for me?
A — Yes — funeral directors often assist families by submitting needed paperwork. The claimant must confirm and sign where required. (VA.gov)
Q — Can I get a burial flag, headstone, or medallion?
A — Yes — the VA provides a burial flag, headstone, marker, medallion, and burial benefits for eligible veterans and family members. Separate applications exist for these items (for example, Form 27-2008 for the flag). (VA.gov)
Final Checklist — copy & use (one page)
- Confirm veteran’s discharge is not dishonorable (get DD214 if possible). (VBA)
- Collect death certificate and itemized funeral/cemetery receipts. (Veterans Affairs)
- Decide who will file (surviving spouse vs other claimant). (Veterans Affairs)
- Apply online (VA Form 21P-530EZ online) or download & mail the PDF. (Veterans Affairs, VBA)
- If planning national cemetery burial, call 800-535-1117 and fax discharge docs to 866-900-6417. (Veterans Affairs, VA.gov)
- Keep copies of everything you send and track VA correspondence. (Benefits Home Page)
Official resources & verified links (click any to go — all checked August 2025)
(Per your request, external links are listed here at the end only.)
- USA.gov — Veterans death benefits overview (official consumer guide):
https://www.usa.gov/veterans-death-benefits. (USAGov) - VA — Veterans Burial Allowance and transportation benefits (eligibility, evidence, time limits, and how to apply):
https://www.va.gov/burials-memorials/veterans-burial-allowance/. (Veterans Affairs) - VA — How to apply for burial allowance (VA Form 21P-530EZ online application and PDF):
https://www.va.gov/burials-memorials/veterans-burial-allowance/apply-for-allowance-form-21p-530ez/. (Veterans Affairs) - VA Benefits — Burial allowances and compensation details (statutory amounts and payment rules):
https://www.benefits.va.gov/compensation/claims-special-burial.asp. (Benefits Home Page) - National Cemetery Scheduling Office — schedule a burial and pre-need eligibility:
https://www.va.gov/burials-memorials/schedule-a-burial/ (Call 800-535-1117). (Veterans Affairs, VA.gov) - VA Form 21P-530EZ (fillable PDF download, official form page):
https://www.vba.va.gov/pubs/forms/vba-21p-530ez-are.pdf. (VBA)
Disclaimer: This post is informational and not legal advice. For final, authoritative guidance and the latest dollar amounts or policy updates, always verify details on the official VA and USA.gov pages linked above and contact VA benefits staff if you need help. All images used in this article are royalty‑free or licensed for commercial use and are provided here for illustrative purposes.