When a veteran passes away, the surviving family is entitled to certain Veteran Administration (VA) funeral benefits and burial benefits if the veteran meets the VA’s criteria. These benefits can help offset the cost of transportation, funeral, and burial. The veteran may also be entitled to a grave marker, headstone, or medallion to affix to a privately purchased headstone. Finally, survivors may be entitled to VA Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (VA DIC) depending on the cause of the veteran’s death.
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In this article about funeral benefits for veterans:
Eligibility for Veteran Funeral Benefits
Both the survivors and the veteran must meet the eligibility criteria to receive funeral benefits. Survivors who are eligible to apply for funeral benefits include a spouse (including same-sex spouses), children, parents, the executor of the veteran’s estate, and a legal partner documented under state law.
If the veteran has a spouse at the time of death, at least a portion of the veteran funeral benefits, namely the burial allowance, will be paid automatically to the surviving spouse upon receipt by the VA of the veteran’s death. All other funeral benefits require a survivor to file a claim.
The veteran must not have received a dishonorable discharge. Also, the veteran must be ineligible for funeral benefits from other sources, including other government agencies and the veteran’s employer.
If these criteria are met, a veteran is entitled to funeral benefits if the veteran:
- Died from a service-connected disability.
- Was receiving VA care at the time of death.
- Died while traveling for examination, treatment, or care as authorized by, and at VA’s expense.
- Was entitled to VA disability compensation or VA pension benefits prior to death and had a pending claim at the time of death.
- Received VA disability compensation or VA pension at the time of death.
- Was eligible for VA disability compensation or VA pension at the time of death but chose to receive full military retirement or military disability pay instead.
When any of these criteria are met, the veteran’s eligible survivors can claim funeral benefits.
Veteran Funeral Benefits Include Reimbursement for Expenses
Benefits to cover funeral expenses include a burial allowance, a plot allowance, and a transportation allowance. All veterans are entitled to the burial allowance, which is intended to reimburse survivors for funeral costs, and a plot allowance, which is intended to reimburse survivors for the cost of a funeral plot.
The burial and plot allowances vary depending on the cause of death and whether the veteran was under VA care at the time of death. Veterans who die from service-connected illnesses or are under VA care at a VA hospital or VA nursing home at the time of death are eligible for greater funeral and plot allowances. This information must be provided on a VA form so that the VA can determine the level of benefits.
Under certain circumstances, the cost of transporting the veteran’s remains may be covered as well. Specifically, if the veteran was traveling for examination, treatment, or care at the time of death, as authorized by VA and at VA’s expense, transportation of the veteran’s remains will be reimbursed. Similarly, if the veteran died while under care at a VA hospital or VA nursing home, VA will reimburse survivors for transportation of the veteran’s remains.
Finally, if the veteran chooses to be buried at a VA national cemetery, the VA’s funeral benefits fully cover transportation of the veteran’s remains, a plot, opening and closing the grave, and a marker or headstone. Funeral director expenses are not covered. For example, there are no veteran’s death benefits for cremation, so this would be paid out of pocket. VA national cemeteries are available to veterans who were not dishonorably discharged, as well as their spouses and, under some circumstances, children.
VA disability attorney Lori Underwood discusses how widows get DIC benefits from the VA:
VA national cemeteries are not located in every state, so this benefit may be impractical for many veterans. However, for veterans in California, there are nine VA national cemeteries to choose from. Similarly, in Texas, veterans can choose from six VA national cemeteries. You should keep in mind that the VA does not take reservations for a particular cemetery, so the veteran’s first choice may not be available when the time for burial comes.
To streamline the process and assist in funeral planning, a veteran may choose to file a pre-need application for burial in a VA national cemetery. “Pre-need” refers to an application that is filed before the veteran’s death. In the pre-need application, the veteran submits the documentation to establish his or her eligibility to be buried in the VA national cemetery.
When the veteran meets the eligibility criteria, the veteran is guaranteed burial in one of the VA national cemeteries. However, the VA does not guarantee that the veteran will be buried in his or her chosen cemetery. Therefore, when the veteran passes away and the VA determines which VA national cemetery is available for the veteran’s burial, a decision may need to be made about whether to utilize the VA national cemetery burial benefit or pay for a private cemetery and seek reimbursement.
Additional Veteran Funeral Benefits
Veterans and their survivors may be eligible for additional memorial items.
1. Headstone, Grave Marker, or Niche Marker
Veterans who did not receive a dishonorable discharge are eligible for a fully paid headstone, grave marker, or niche marker. Survivors can apply for a headstone or marker if the veteran’s grave is currently marked by a privately purchased marker or if the veteran was buried in an unmarked grave.
2. Service Medallion
Alternatively, a veteran’s surviving family can apply for a service medallion that can be mounted to the service member’s privately purchased marker. The service medallion is made from bronze and identifies the grave as belonging to a veteran or service member while on active duty. A mounting kit is included with the service medallion.
3. Burial Flag
Most veterans and reservists are eligible for a burial flag to drape the coffin prior to burial. While there are a few caveats for eligibility, most veterans who served during wartime, died while on active duty after 1941, or served in any capacity after 1955, are eligible for a burial flag.
Any family member or friend can apply for a burial flag. To obtain a burial flag, the applicant fills out a VA form and turns it in to a funeral director, VA office, or post office along with supporting documentation. The burial flag is provided immediately for eligible veterans. After burial, the flag is given to the closest living relative or, if there are no relatives, to a requesting friend. If no relatives or friends can be identified, the flag is returned to the VA.
When a veteran chooses burial in a VA national cemetery, a burial flag is automatically provided at the veteran funeral ceremony without filing an application.
4. Presidential Memorial Certificate
A presidential memorial certificate is an engraved paper certificate that is signed by the president to memorialize the veteran. Any veteran or reservist that meets the criteria for burial in a VA national cemetery is also eligible for a presidential memorial certificate, regardless of whether that veteran chooses to be buried in a VA national cemetery or not. Visit the VA website here for the specific form you’ll need.
For veterans who choose to be buried in a VA national cemetery, the certificate will be provided automatically by the VA at the burial. For veterans who choose burial in a private cemetery, a survivor or friend must fill out a VA form to request the certificate and return it to the VA with documentation supporting the request. When requesting a presidential memorial certificate, the applicant can request multiple copies.
5. Do Veteran Spouses Get Burial Benefits?
There is no general burial benefit for spouses of veterans. However, spouses and minor children are entitled to be buried in a VA national cemetery with eligible veterans. This is true regardless of the order in which they pass away. Additionally, unmarried adult children of veterans may also be entitled to be buried in a VA national cemetery with an eligible veteran. To determine if you or your children are entitled to burial in a VA national cemetery, you can contact a VA lawyer who is familiar with the VA’s rules and procedures.
6. Bereavement Counseling
Survivors of active duty service members are entitled to bereavement or grief counseling. This benefit is available to spouses, children, and parents of service members, reservists, and national guard members who die while on active duty.
You can get bereavement counseling right now at your local Vet Center. You may use the Location Finder to find the nearest Vet Center, or you may call the Vet Center Call Center at 1-877-WAR-VETS (927-8387) available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
US Department of Veterans affairs
Survivors and Dependents are Eligible for More than Veteran Funeral Benefits
Under the VA’s Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) program, the spouse, children, or parents of a veteran may be entitled to survivor benefits after the death of a veteran or active duty service member.
1. Survivor’s Pension
Survivor’s pension, also called a death pension, is paid to a veteran’s survivors who meet certain eligibility criteria. The survivor’s pension is a needs-based benefit, meaning that survivors must meet income requirements to receive the survivor’s pension.
Generally speaking, a spouse who was married to the veteran at the time of death who remains unmarried and children under 18 (or under 23 who attend a VA-approved school) are eligible to receive the survivor’s pension. The amount of the pension depends on the number of dependents and the family’s income.
2. DIC
DIC (Dependency and Indemnity Compensation) is a benefit that is available to spouses, children, and parents of veterans who died while on active duty, died due to a service-connected disability, or died due to any cause while rated for total service-connected disability. A spouse’s eligibility for DIC requires that the spouse have been married for a certain amount of time before the veteran’s death or have a child with the veteran. Moreover, the spouse must remain unmarried after the veteran’s death to receive benefits. The benefits are terminated if the spouse remarries.
Children may be eligible for DIC independent of the surviving spouse, as long as the child is not included in a surviving spouse’s application for DIC. For example, if a surviving spouse remarries and is no longer eligible for DIC, a surviving child that is younger than 18 or is between 18 and 23 and attending school, may be eligible for DIC.
Parents of a veteran are eligible for DIC based on need. That is, for parents to apply for DIC, they must show income less than a predetermined threshold.
To apply for DIC, the surviving family member must submit a VA application along with documents supporting the application, including the veteran’s service records and medical records. The VA determines the compensation available for the surviving family members. Once paid, the benefits take the form of monetary compensation that is free from federal income taxes.
3. Additional Programs
Surviving spouses and children are eligible for many programs to assist them after the death of a veteran. Each program may have different eligibility requirements, so you may wish to check with a VA benefits lawyer before applying.
VA health care is available for survivors of service members who die while on active duty. Spouses receive active duty-level health care coverage for three years, then are required to pay retiree-level premium rates to continue coverage. Children are eligible for active duty-level health care coverage until age 21 (or age 23 if attending school).
Spouses and children of veterans who died due to a service-connected disability or a service member who died while on active duty are eligible for educational benefits. Under the Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance (DEA) program, survivors can receive money for tuition, books, and housing. For children, the benefits must be used between the ages of 18 and 26. Spouses can use the benefits any time within 20 years after an active service member’s death or 10 years after a veteran’s death.
Surviving unmarried spouses of veterans who died due to a service-connected disability or for any cause after being rated as totally disabled may be eligible for VA-backed home loan programs. To apply for a VA-backed home loan, you must complete an application and receive a certificate of eligibility. You return the certificate of eligibility to your home lender who can then process your VA home loan.
How Can a VA Lawyer Help with Benefits After the Funeral?
After a veteran’s death, a VA lawyer can be an important resource in helping to identify all the benefits available to a veteran. Remember that some benefits require special eligibility, so not all veterans will receive every benefit. A VA lawyer can help sort through the eligibility requirements and determine if you are eligible for DIC benefits. Veteran survivors can use a VA lawyer to assist them in claiming DIC benefits.
Any family member’s death can be an emotionally trying time. For family members who have suffered from economic hardship, the death can also cause financial stress. Contacting a VA attorney may help you to identify benefits after a veteran’s death.
Frequently Asked Questions
No, the money you get from the VA is tax-free. There are tax forms and such to report as you would normally, but you won’t be taxed on the income you receive from the VA.
You can take your time. The educational benefits for surviving family members of deceased veterans don’t expire for 10-20 years after his/her death.
Neil Woods
VA disability attorney
Woods & Woods
Neil Woods is the firm’s owner and president. He received his law degree from Western Michigan University.
