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Burials
The National Cemetery Administration (NCA) honors Veterans and their families with final resting places in national shrines and with lasting tributes that commemorate their service and sacrifice to our nation.
If the death is service-related, the VA will pay up to $2000 towards burial expenses. If it is not service-related, the VA will pay up to $300, as well as $300 for plot-internment allowance.
For Burials at a National Cemetery
Your survivors will need to provide a copy of your discharge documents to prove your service and discharge status.
Since there are no viewing facilities available, no funeral services can be held at national cemeteries. However, a final committal service may be held at a committal shelter a distance from the grave.
The VA will provide a headstone (upright marble or upright granite) or marker (flat bronze, flat marble or flat granite) of eligible Veterans. The National Cemetery Administration will handle the markers of those buried at national cemeteries. For those not buried at national cemeteries, your next or kin or representative must apply for a VA headstone using VA Form 40-1330, Application for Standard Government Headstone or Marker for Installation in a Private or State Veterans’ Cemetery and include a copy of the Veteran’s military discharge papers.
Military Honors at Funerals
The Department of Defense, rather than the VA, is responsible for providing military funeral honors. The honors include folding and presenting the U.S. burial flag and playing “Taps”. Two or more uniformed military persons will be a part of the funeral honors details, one of who will be from the Veteran’s branch of Armed Forces.
If the Veteran is being buried in a VA national cemetery, the National Cemetery Administration will coordinate military honors. Otherwise, the funeral home director can request these honors.
Burial Flags
Veterans are also entitled to have their caskets draped with the U.S. flag. Families must apply for a flag completing the VA Form 21-2008, Application for United States Flag for Burial Purpose. Your survivors may also obtain a flag at any VA Regional Office or U.S. Port Office.
