Veteran and Military Information

Department of Veterans Affairs

Phone: 1-800-827-1000

Burial and Memorial Benefits

• The procedures to get burial benefits and copies of the forms are available at the VA Web site ( www.va.gov); just click on Burial and Memorial Benefits.
• You can also call 1-800-827-1000 or write to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, National Cemetery Administration (403A), 810 Vermont Avenue, N.W. , Washington , DC 20420 .
• Funeral directors are probably also aware of the benefits and can help make arrangements.

BURIAL AT A MILITARY CEMETERY

The VA has a National Cemetery Administration that maintains 118 national cemeteries in 39 states. The VA determines eligibility to be buried at a national cemetery. To determine eligibility, call 1-800-827-1000. There are also state-run veterans’ cemeteries. These have similar eligibility criteria as the national cemeteries, but usually require residency in the state. You can get contact information for a state and an overview of the steps you need to take for burial in a national cemetery by going to the VA Website www.va.gov. Upon request, you can also receive a military head marker.

BURIAL EXPENSES

The VA usually pays a funeral allowance of $300 for funeral expenses and may also pay transportation costs for the remains. A claim must be filed within 2 years of the death. When a death occurs at a VA facility, nursing home, or nursing home under contract with the VA, the burial expense benefit is usually available.

MILITARY FUNERAL HONORS

The Department of Defense, as of January 1, 2000 , is responsible for an “Honoring Those Who Served” program that provides military funeral honors to veterans. Families must request this service; funeral directors should ask families if they want it and make the contact for them. A military funeral ceremony consists of 2 or more uniformed military persons coming to the gravesite to play “Taps” and present the family with a U.S. burial flag.

PRESIDENTIAL MEMORIALS AND BURIAL FLAGS

A Presidential Memorial Certificate (PMC) is an engraved paper signed by the President to honor the memory of honorably discharged veterans who have died. The certificate recognizes the veteran’s “devoted and selfless consecration to the service of our country.” More than one certificate may be provided so that each next of kin can receive a copy. Apply in person at a VA regional office or send a request by mail. A copy of the veteran’s discharge documents and a return address must be included. There is no form to fill out. Send to U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, National Cemetery Administration (403A), 810 Vermont Avenue, NW , Washington , DC 20420 .

The VA gives out nearly a half-million burial flags every year to honor deceased veterans. They can be obtained from the VA regional offices and most U.S. post offices. The VA Form 2008 must be filled out and submitted along with a copy of the veteran’s discharge papers. The form can be found on the VA Website www.va.gov.

Still under construction. Last updated 12/14/2005