For families navigating the difficult and emotional time following the passing of a veteran, the VA cremation benefits—which cover funeral, burial, and transportation costs—provide vital financial support. However, accessing these benefits involves strict eligibility rules and often requires applicants to cover costs upfront for later reimbursement.
Eligibility Requirements for VA Benefits
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) treats cremation and burial expenses equally. To be eligible for reimbursement, the applicant must meet two primary conditions:
- The applicant must have covered the cost of the veteran’s cremation or funeral.
- The applicant must not have received reimbursement from another employer or group.
Who Can Apply?
A wide range of individuals connected to the veteran are qualified to file a claim, ensuring financial support reaches those who managed the final arrangements:
- Spouses and officially acknowledged partners
- Children and parents
- Executors of estates
- Close relatives, friends, or officials from funeral homes/cemeteries handling arrangements.
Veteran’s Eligibility Conditions
The deceased veteran must have been discharged under conditions other than dishonorable. Furthermore, the death must meet one of the following criteria:
- The death was caused by a service-related condition or disability.
- The veteran was receiving VA compensation or a pension at the time of death.
- The veteran had an original or reopened VA claim pending at the time of death, and would have been entitled to benefits.
- The veteran chose to receive military retirement pay instead of VA compensation.
- The death occurred while the veteran was receiving VA care or occurred during approved VA travel for tests, treatments, or medical services.
VA Reimbursement Payment Rates (Current and Historical)
The amount paid by the VA is determined by the circumstances surrounding the death and the veteran’s service history. All burial allowance amounts listed below apply to both burial and cremation services.
| Circumstance | Maximum Burial Allowance | Maximum Plot Allowance |
| Service-Connected Death (On/After Sept 11, 2001) | $2,000 | Varies; Transportation reimbursed if buried in a National Cemetery |
| Non-Service-Connected Death (On/After Oct 1, 2024) | $978 (Fixed Payment) | $978 (Fixed Payment, if not in a National Cemetery) |
Special Historical Payments:
- Pre-9/11 Service: Individuals who served before September 11, 2001, may be eligible to claim $5,000.
- Historical Non-Service-Connected: For deaths between October 1, 2013, and October 1, 2014, the allowance was $300 for burial and $734 for plot costs.
Additionally, the VA provides reimbursement for the transportation of remains to the final resting place, such as a national cemetery, easing the logistical financial burden on the family.
Required Documents to File a Claim
To claim the VA cremation or burial benefits, applicants should submit the necessary paperwork, typically using VA Form 21P-530EZ: Application for Burial Benefits.
- Mandatory Documents:
- Death Certificate (including cause of death).
- Receipts for funeral, cremation, and transportation expenses (showing the applicant made the payment).
- Highly Recommended/Optional Documents:
- Separation documents, such as a DD214 (Report of Separation).
- Medical records (for service-related death claims).
Simplified Process for Surviving Spouses
A significant simplification is available for close relatives: Surviving spouses already listed in the veteran’s VA profile are exempt from filing a claim. The VA automatically disburses payments for burial, interment, or transportation expenses once they receive official notification of the veteran’s death.