Veterans death benefits

A veterans burial allowance helps pay for transportation, funeral, and burial costs for an eligible veteran. If you qualify, the VA will repay a fixed amount for these costs.

Eligibility for a veterans burial allowance

To receive these VA burial benefits, you and the veteran must meet all eligibility requirements.

The veteran must have:

• Not been dishonorably discharged
• Also met another condition including:
  • Receiving care from a VA facility, or
  • Receiving a VA pension, or
  • Dying from a service-connected disability
  • Paid for the burial, transportation, or funeral costs
  • Been a close relative to the veteran or managed their estate
  • If you are eligible
  • What costs the benefits cover
  • The amount of time after a burial you have to file your claim
  • How much you will receive based on when the veteran died and if the death was related to military service

  If you are planning for burial at a national cemetery, find out about eligibility and how to schedule the funeral.

  How to apply for veteran death benefits

  If you are a surviving spouse, you do not have to file a claim for burial costs. The VA will automatically pay you a set amount after they receive notice of the veteran’s death.