A Guide To The Benefits Available To Veterans
For those who have served our country, several benefits are available relating to funerals, burials or death to help with the associated costs.
According to the National Cemetery Administration, veterans are entitled to be buried along with a marker or headstone, Presidential Memorial Certificate and burial flag without costing the family for the space or opening and closure of the grave itself. Immediate family including spouses and dependants can also be buried and added to the headstone along with the veteran at no extra cost to the remaining family. If the family choose to have the veteran buried in a private cemetery, the VA may cover the marker, burial flag, government headstone and Presidential Memorial Certificate without a cost for family.
Burial Allowance for Veterans
Some veterans may also be entitled to burial allowance to help with any additional service costs for the funeral, plot or burial, which is paid to the spouse or immediate family. The rates are currently:
- Up to $2000 for service-connected death towards burial (after September 11, 2001)
- Up to $1500 for service-connected death towards burial (before September 11, 2001)
- The cost of transporting remains to a VA national cemetery
- For non-service related deaths, the VA will pay $300 burial allowance and between $747 - $762 (depending on the date of veteran’s death) towards a plot.
If the veteran was hospitalized by the VA prior to their non-service related death there is a higher burial allowance amount of between $747 - $762 available, again depending on the date of the veteran’s death.
Although you cannot reserve a plot in one of the gravesites, you can pre-plan so that a funeral home can establish your eligibility and upon your death, contact the relevant cemetery.
If you would like to learn more on veteran funerals and benefits, visit our website or contact a member of staff who can give you more information.
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