For a death on or after October 1, 2026, VA can pay up to $1,032 for burial and $1,032 for a plot when the death is not service connected. For a service connected death on or after September 11, 2001, VA can pay up to $2,000.
VA burial allowances help pay some of the funeral and burial costs. They do not pay for everything. You may qualify if you paid the costs and no one else will pay you back.
The veteran must not have had a dishonorable discharge. Some other rules must also be true. For example, the death was service connected, or the veteran was getting VA pension or compensation, or died in VA care.
A surviving spouse listed on the veteran's VA profile does not need to file. VA pays a set amount on its own. Others can apply online or mail form 21P-530EZ. If the death was not service connected, file within 2 years of the burial in most cases.
Burial in a VA national cemetery comes with a gravesite, opening and closing of the grave, a headstone or marker, a flag, and a Presidential Memorial Certificate at no cost to the family. Veterans in private cemeteries can still get a free headstone, marker, or medallion.
Key facts
- Service connected death on or after September 11, 2001: up to $2,000.
- Not service connected, death on or after October 1, 2026: $1,032 burial and $1,032 plot.
- Headstone or marker allowance: up to $441 for deaths on or after October 1, 2025.
- National cemetery gravesite, headstone, and flag: no cost to the family.
- Eligible surviving spouses are paid on their own without filing.
- VA does not pay a burial allowance for a death on active duty.
At a glance
| Type of death | Date of death | Most VA pays |
|---|---|---|
| Service connected | On or after September 11, 2001 | $2,000 |
| Service connected | Before September 11, 2001 | $1,500 |
| Not service connected | On or after October 1, 2026 | $1,032 burial and $1,032 plot |
| Not service connected | October 1, 2025, to September 30, 2026 | $1,002 burial and $1,002 plot |
| Headstone or marker allowance | On or after October 1, 2025 | $441 |
From the VA burial allowance page (va.gov/burials-memorials/veterans-burial-allowance), last updated October 7, 2026.
Common questions
Is there a deadline to file?
If the death was not service connected, file within 2 years of the burial in most cases. There is no time limit for a service connected death.
Does VA pay for cremation?
VA does not pay for cremation directly. The burial allowance may cover some of these costs. VA allowances apply to all legal burial types, including cremation.
Can a spouse be buried in a national cemetery?
Yes. A veteran's spouse or surviving spouse may be eligible, even if they remarried after the veteran died.
