Veterans and Active-Duty Members Eligibility

• Service members who pass away while serving on active duty and veterans released under honorable conditions may receive VA burial benefits. Reservist and National Guard service members entitled to retirement benefits at the time of death, but who have not reached the age of 60, are eligible for VA burial benefits. Enlisted veterans must have at least 24 months of uninterrupted service after Sept. 1, 1980. Veteran officers must have at least 24 months of uninterrupted service after Oct. 16, 1981.
  
  

Dependents of Veterans Eligibility

• The spouse, surviving spouse or dependent child of a qualified veteran may receive burial assistance under four conditions. A surviving spouse or current spouse of an eligible veteran may receive burial in a national cemetery. After Jan. 1, 2000, a remarried spouse of an eligible veteran is eligible for burial benefits. A minor dependent must be under the age of 21, under 23 and in college, or unmarried with a physical disability obtained before the age of 21 or 23, if in college.
  
  

Dependent Burial Benefits

• Spouses and dependents receive burial in a national cemetery and permanent care of the gravesite. The National Cemetery Administration also engraves the name, birth date and date of death of the spouse or dependent onto the veteran's headstone.
  
  

How to Make Arrangements

• Send all verification documentation via fax at 866-900-6417 before contacting the scheduling office by phone. Verification documentation must show military discharge dates and bear an official seal. Acceptable documents include a Transcript of Military Record Form DA 1569, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty Form DD 214 or an Honorable Discharge Certificate Form DD 256A. Prepare all burial information such as the desired cemetery, funeral home information and type of burial. Contact the National Cemetery Scheduling Office at 800-535-1117 seven days a week between the hours of 7 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. to make burial arrangements.
  
  

Burial Allowance

• The VA provides partial reimbursement for veteran funeral expenses, provided out-of-pocket expenses remain unreimbursed and the military released the veteran under honorable conditions. The VA reimburses up to $2,000 for service-related deaths that occur on or after Sept. 11, 2001 and $1,500 for service-related deaths that occurred before Sept. 10, 2001. Individuals receive up to $300 for funeral and burial expenses and a $300 plot allowance for veterans who passed on or following Dec. 1, 2001. Individuals receive a $150 plot allowance for veterans who passed before Dec. 1, 2001. The VA may reimburse all or some of the costs for transporting the veteran's remains.