Burial Benefits

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Burial Benefits

Burial benefits available include a gravesite in any of our 128 national cemeteries with available space, opening and closing of the grave, perpetual care, a Government headstone or marker, a burial flag, and a Presidential Memorial Certificate, at no cost to the family. Some veterans may also be eligible for Burial Allowances. Cremated remains are buried or inurned in national cemeteries in the same manner and with the same honors as casketed remains.

Burial benefits available for spouses and dependents buried in a national cemetery include burial with the veteran, perpetual care, and the spouse or dependents name and date of birth and death will be inscribed on the veteran’s headstone, at no cost to the family.  Eligible spouses and dependents may be buried, even if they predecease the veteran.

Burial benefits available for veterans buried in a private cemetery include a a Government headstone or marker, a burial flag, and a Presidential Memorial Certificate, at no cost to the family. Some veterans may also be eligible for Burial Allowances. There are not any benefits available to spouses and dependents buried in a private cemetery.

Presidential Memorial Certificates

A Presidential Memorial Certificate (PMC) is an engraved paper certificate, signed by the current President, to honor the memory of  honorably discharged deceased veterans. This program was initiated in March 1962 by President John F. Kennedy and has been continued by all subsequent Presidents. Statutory authority for the program is Section 112, Title 38, of the United States Code.

Eligible recipients include the next of kin and loved ones of honorably discharged deceased veterans. More than one certificate may be provided. Eligible recipients, or someone acting on their behalf, may apply for a PMC in person at any VA regional office or by U.S. mail or toll-free fax. Requests cannot be sent via email. For more information or an application for a certificate, visit the Burials and Memorials section of US VA website.

Headstones & Markers

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.

For eligible veterans that died on or after Nov. 1, 1990, VA may also provide a headstone or marker for graves that are already marked with a private headstone or marker. When the grave is already marked, applicants will have the option to submit a claim for either a traditional headstone or marker, or a new medallion (available summer 2009).

Flat markers in granite, marble, and bronze and upright headstones in granite and marble are available. The style chosen must be consistent with existing monuments at the place of burial. Niche markers are also available to mark columbaria used for internment of cremated remains.

For information on eligibility, ordering a headstone or marker, types of headstones & markers available, how to check the status of headstone or marker request visit the Headstones & Markers page of US VA website.

Click here to download an application PDF - opens in a new window.

Burial Flags

A United States flag is provided, at no cost, to drape the casket or accompany the urn of a deceased veteran who served honorably in the U. S. Armed Forces. It is furnished to honor the memory of a veteran’s military service to his or her country. VA will furnish a burial flag for memorialization for each other than dishonorable discharged

  • veteran who served during wartime
  • veteran who died on active duty after May 27, 1941
  • veteran who served after January 31, 1955
  • peacetime veteran who was discharged or released before June 27, 1950
  • certain persons who served in the organized military forces of the Commonwealth of the Philippines while in service of the U.S. Armed Forces and who died on or after April 25, 1951
  • certain former members of the Selected Reserves

For eligibility requirements and information on how to apply, visit the Burial Flags page of US VA website.

Burial Allowances

VA burial allowances are partial reimbursements of an eligible veteran's burial and funeral costs.  When the cause of death is not service related, the reimbursements are generally described as two payments:  (1) a burial and funeral expense allowance, and (2) a plot or interment allowance.

For complete information on eligibility, how much the VA pays and how to apply, download the Burial and Plot-Interment Allowances document Word document or call 1-800-827-1000.

Burial at Sea

The National Cemetery Administration cannot provide burial at sea.

If you have any questions about the Burial at Sea program, please contact the United States Navy Mortuary Affairs office toll-free at 1-866-787-0081. Or contact the Department of the Navy for information.

National Cemetery Administration

The National Cemetery Administration honors veterans with final resting places in national shrines and with lasting tributes that commemorate their service to our nation. The purpose of the NCA is:

  • To provide burial space for veterans and their eligible family members.
  • To maintain national cemeteries as national shrines, sacred to the honor and memory of those interred or memorialized there.
  • To mark veterans’ graves with a Government-furnished headstone or marker and to provide Presidential Memorial Certificates in recognition of their service to a grateful nation.
  • To administer grants for establishing or expanding state veterans cemeteries.

For more information visit the NCA section of VA website or read their Frequently Asked Questions.

Cemeteries

The VA's National Cemetery Administration maintains 128 national cemeteries in 39 states (and Puerto Rico) as well as 33 soldier's lots and monument sites. Click here for a listing by state of VA national cemeteries, soldier's lots and monument sites. In addition, the Department of the Army maintains two national cemeteries - the Arlington National Cemetery and the U.S. Soldiers' & Airmen's Home National Cemetery and the National Park Service maintains 14 national cemeteries.

Nationwide Gravesite Locator

The Nationwide Gravesite Locator allows users to search for burial locations of veterans and their family members in VA National Cemeteries, state veterans cemeteries, various other military and Department of Interior cemeteries, and for veterans buried in private cemeteries when the grave is marked with a government grave marker.