On the death of a Veteran, the federal VA will pay an amount of the funeral expenses that depend on the circumstances of the Veteran’s death.
The VA will pay up to $2,000 toward burial expenses for a service-connected veteran. If the veteran is to be buried in a VA National Cemetery, some or all of the cost of transporting the deceased may also be reimbursed.
For a Veteran whose cause of death is not service-connected, the VA will pay up to $796 if the veteran was hospitalized at the time of death and up to $300 if they were not hospitalized. Additionally, the VA will pay a plot-interment allowance of $796 if not being buried in a VA National Cemetery.
Headstone or Marker
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) furnishes upon request, at no charge to the applicant, a Government headstone or marker for the unmarked grave of any deceased eligible Veteran in any cemetery around the world, regardless of their date of death. A Government-furnished headstone or marker may be provided for eligible Veterans who died on or after Nov. 1, 1990, and whose grave is marked with a privately purchased headstone. A Government-furnished medallion may be provided for eligible Veterans who served on or after Apr. 6, 1917, and whose grave is marked with a privately purchased headstone or marker.
VA National Cemetery
The VA National Cemetery Administration operates cemeteries nationwide for eligible veterans and their families.