Funeral FunnelVeterans funeral planning
Veterans funeral and burial benefits: a planning guide for families
Veterans, service members, and some family members may qualify for VA burial and memorial benefits. Families can reduce uncertainty by checking eligibility, gathering military records, and understanding the difference between planning ahead and scheduling a burial after a death.
Reviewed September 28, 2026
Key points
- VA offers pre-need eligibility determinations for burial in a VA national cemetery.
- A pre-need decision confirms eligibility but does not reserve a specific cemetery or gravesite.
- If the person has already died, families use the time-of-need scheduling process instead of the pre-need application.
- VA may also provide burial allowances and memorial items to eligible Veterans and families.
- Military discharge records such as a DD214 can help support an eligibility determination.
Check burial eligibility before or after the time of need
VA allows eligible Veterans, service members, spouses, and certain dependents to apply for a pre-need determination for burial in a VA national cemetery. This can help families know in advance whether eligibility is established.
A pre-need determination does not reserve a specific cemetery or gravesite. If the person has already died, VA directs families to the time-of-need burial scheduling process instead.
Gather military records
VA recommends gathering military service information and, when available, a DD214 or other separation document. Providing these records can help VA process the eligibility request.
If records are missing, families can still ask VA what documentation is needed and how the agency may verify service.
Understand what VA burial benefits can include
VA burial and memorial programs can include national cemetery burial for eligible people, burial allowances in qualifying situations, and memorial items such as headstones, markers, medallions, Presidential Memorial Certificates, plaques, or urns.
Eligibility and application rules differ by benefit. Confirm the specific program rather than assuming every Veteran receives the same set of benefits.
Coordinate VA benefits with the funeral provider
Tell the funeral home or cremation provider that the person was a Veteran and that the family may seek VA burial or memorial benefits. The provider can coordinate its own services and timing with the family's VA plans, but the family should still confirm eligibility and benefit details directly with VA.
Keep private cemetery and state veterans cemetery rules separate
Arlington National Cemetery and VA grant-funded state, territorial, or tribal veterans cemeteries may use different eligibility or scheduling processes from VA national cemeteries. Contact the cemetery responsible for the specific location the family is considering.
Sources and further reading
Funeral Funnel uses primary government and consumer-protection sources when a guide depends on legal rights, government benefits, or official processes. Requirements can change, so confirm important details with the responsible agency or provider.
Turn the guidance into a personal checklist
Tell Funeral Funnel about the timing, location, and type of arrangements you are handling. We will organize the next steps into a plan you can work through with family.
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Funeral Funnel provides general funeral planning information and organization tools, not legal, medical, tax, or financial advice. Rules and requirements can vary by state, locality, provider, and individual circumstances.