VA Burial Allowance

Program Description

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.

Services

• Service-Related Death, prior to September 10, 2001: Up to $1,500 toward burial expenses.
• Service-Related Death, on or after September 11, 2001: Up to $2,000 toward burial expenses.
• Non-service-Related Death, prior to December 1, 2001: plot-interment allowance of $150.00.
• Non-service-Related Death, on or after December 1, 2001, but before October 1, 2011: up to $300.00 toward burial and funeral expenses and a $300.00 plot-interment allowance.
• Non-service-Related Death, on or after October 1, 2011: up to $700.00 toward burial and funeral expenses (if hospitalized by VA at time of death), or $300 toward burial and funeral expenses (if not hospitalized by VA at time of death), and a $700.00 plot-interment allowance.
• An annual increase in burial and plot allowances for deaths occurring after October 1, 2011, began in fiscal year 2013 based on the Consumer Price Index for the preceding 12-month period as follows;
• Effective October 1, 2012, the $700 burial/funeral and plot/interment allowance was increased to $722.
• Effective October 1, 2013, the $722 burial/funeral and plot/interment allowance was increased to $734.

How To Apply

• Send VA Form 21-530, Application for Burial Benefits and documentation to the Providence VA Regional Office.

Documentation

• A copy of the Veteran’s military discharge document (DD 214 or equivalent).
• Death certificate.
• Funeral and burial bills. They should show that you have paid them in full.

Supplemental Materials

Burial Factsheet.