VA Burial Allowance 2026: Exact Amounts and How to Apply

By Terry Feely, Former Firefighter and Paramedic · Last Updated May 2026

The VA burial allowance for fiscal year 2026 pays up to $2,000 for service-connected deaths, $1,002 for non-service-connected deaths when the veteran was hospitalized by the VA, and $300 for non-service-connected deaths without VA hospitalization. A separate plot or interment allowance of $1,002 is available when the veteran is not buried in a national cemetery.

These benefits are tax-free payments made directly to the person who paid for the veteran's burial. They are not intended to cover the full cost of a funeral. Instead, they serve as a partial reimbursement to ease the financial burden on families. Understanding exactly what the VA pays, who qualifies, and how to file correctly can save families weeks of frustration and prevent claim denials.

This guide covers every detail you need: current dollar amounts, eligibility rules, the step-by-step application process, filing deadlines, covered expenses, and the most common reasons claims get rejected. If you are arranging services for a veteran, you may also want to review our full veterans funeral benefits guide for information on national cemeteries, military honors, and burial flags.

2026 Benefit Amounts

The VA adjusts burial allowance amounts periodically. The following table reflects the current rates for fiscal year 2026. These amounts apply nationwide and do not vary by state or region.

A service-connected death means the veteran died as a result of a disability that was caused or made worse by military service. The VA makes this determination based on medical records and service history. If the cause of death is already rated as service-connected in the veteran's VA file, the process is straightforward.

The $300 non-service-connected allowance is the most common benefit families receive. It applies when the veteran was not hospitalized by the VA at the time of death and did not die from a service-connected condition. While $300 does not cover much of the total funeral cost, it can be combined with the $1,002 plot allowance if the veteran is buried in a private cemetery. That combination brings the total to $1,302.

The headstone or marker allowance of up to $441 applies only when the family purchases a private headstone instead of requesting the free government-issued headstone. Most families choose the government headstone, which the VA provides at no cost. For details on direct cremation costs that may be partially offset by these benefits, see our pricing guide.

Eligibility Requirements

Not every veteran qualifies for the VA burial allowance. The VA evaluates eligibility based on discharge status, length of service, and the circumstances of death. Here are the requirements.

Discharge Status

The veteran must have been discharged under conditions other than dishonorable. This includes honorable discharges, general discharges under honorable conditions, and some other-than-honorable discharges that the VA has determined were issued under honorable conditions. A dishonorable discharge from a general court-martial disqualifies the veteran from all VA burial benefits. If the discharge status is unclear, the VA will make a character-of-discharge determination as part of the burial allowance claim.

Minimum Service Requirements

For veterans who entered active duty after September 7, 1980, there is generally a minimum service requirement of 24 continuous months or the full period for which the person was called to active duty. Exceptions exist for veterans discharged due to a service-connected disability, hardship, or certain force reduction programs. Veterans who served before September 8, 1980, are not subject to the minimum service length requirement.

Additional Qualifying Conditions for Non-Service-Connected Benefits

For the non-service-connected burial allowance, at least one of the following must be true at the time of death: the veteran was receiving VA pension or disability compensation, the veteran had a pending claim for VA benefits, the veteran was hospitalized by the VA, or the veteran was eligible for Medicaid at the time of death. If none of these conditions apply, the family may still qualify for the plot allowance and the government headstone but not the burial allowance itself.

Reservists and National Guard members qualify if they were called to active duty and completed the required service period, or if they died while on active duty or during authorized training. Families in states like Texas, California, and Florida with large veteran populations should be aware that state-level burial benefits may supplement the federal VA allowance.

How to Apply: VA Form 21P-530EZ

The application process centers on VA Form 21P-530EZ, the official Application for Burial Benefits. The form is four pages and asks for information about the veteran, the claimant, the cause of death, and burial expenses. Follow these steps to complete it correctly.

Step 1: Gather Your Documents

Before you start the form, collect the following: the veteran's DD-214 or other discharge papers, a certified copy of the death certificate, receipts or invoices from the funeral home showing what was paid and by whom, and proof of any VA benefits the veteran was receiving at the time of death. If you do not have the DD-214, you can request a copy from the National Personnel Records Center using Standard Form 180. Emergency requests can sometimes be processed in a few days for active burial claims.

Step 2: Complete VA Form 21P-530EZ

Fill out every applicable section. The form asks for the veteran's full name, Social Security number, service dates, and VA file number if known. It also asks for the claimant's relationship to the veteran, burial date, burial location, and a detailed list of funeral expenses. Be thorough. Incomplete forms are one of the leading causes of delays and denials.

Step 3: Submit the Form

You have three submission options. You can file online through the VA's website at va.gov, which is the fastest method. You can mail the completed form to your regional VA benefits office. Or you can file in person at any VA regional office. Many Veterans Service Organizations, including the VFW, American Legion, and DAV, offer free assistance with filing burial claims.

Step 4: Wait for Processing

Processing times vary. Straightforward claims with complete documentation typically take 30 to 60 days. Claims that require additional evidence or a character-of-discharge determination can take 90 to 120 days or longer. The VA will contact you by mail if they need additional information. Once approved, the allowance is paid by check or direct deposit to the person who paid for the burial expenses.

Time Limits for Filing

The filing deadline depends on whether the death was service-connected.

Non-service-connected deaths: You must file VA Form 21P-530EZ within 2 years of the date the veteran was permanently buried. This deadline is strict. If you miss it, the VA will deny your claim regardless of the merits. The 2-year clock starts on the date of burial, not the date of death. In cases where remains are held for an extended period before burial, this distinction matters.

Service-connected deaths: There is no time limit for filing a burial allowance claim when the veteran's death was caused by a service-connected disability. You can file years or even decades after the burial. However, filing promptly is still recommended because evidence becomes harder to locate over time.

If you are unsure whether the death was service-connected, file the claim as soon as possible to protect yourself against the 2-year deadline. The VA will determine the correct classification during processing. Filing early preserves your eligibility even if the determination takes time.

What Costs Are Reimbursed

The VA burial allowance is a partial reimbursement, not full coverage. Understanding which expenses qualify helps families set realistic expectations and document their costs correctly.

Covered Expenses

• Funeral home charges: Professional service fees, preparation of the body, embalming, and use of facilities for viewing or ceremony. These are the core costs that most funeral homes in states like Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Virginia will itemize on the invoice.
• Casket or urn: The purchase price of a casket for burial or an urn for cremation. The VA does not specify a maximum price for the container itself, but the total allowance caps the reimbursement.
• Transportation of remains: Costs to transport the veteran's body from the place of death to the funeral home and from the funeral home to the cemetery. This includes hearse fees and, when applicable, shipping by air or ground for long-distance transport.
• Cemetery plot: The cost of a burial plot in a private cemetery, covered under the separate plot or interment allowance of $1,002. This does not apply when burial is in a national or state veterans cemetery.
• Headstone setting fee: The labor cost of installing a government-issued headstone or marker at a private cemetery. The VA provides the headstone for free, but the cemetery typically charges a setting fee.

Expenses Not Covered

• Flowers and floral arrangements: These are considered personal memorial items and are not reimbursable.
• Obituary notices: Newspaper and online obituary costs are not included in the burial allowance.
• Reception or gathering expenses: Food, venue rental, and other costs for post-funeral gatherings are not covered.
• Clergy honorariums: Payments to officiants for religious or memorial services are not reimbursable through the VA.
• Memorial donations: Charitable contributions made in the veteran's name do not qualify as burial expenses.

Common Rejection Reasons

The VA denies a significant number of burial allowance claims each year. Most denials fall into a handful of categories. Knowing these in advance helps you avoid preventable mistakes.

Missing DD-214

The DD-214 is the primary proof of military service and discharge status. Without it, the VA cannot verify eligibility. If the original was lost, request a replacement before filing or submit the claim with a note explaining that the replacement is in progress. The VA may hold the claim open while the records are retrieved, but this adds months to the timeline.

Missed 2-Year Deadline

For non-service-connected deaths, the 2-year filing deadline is enforced without exceptions. Families who are unaware of the benefit or who delay because of grief often discover the deadline too late. If you are helping a family arrange a veteran's funeral, mention the burial allowance early so they have time to gather documents and file.

Dishonorable Discharge

A discharge classified as dishonorable from a general court-martial makes the veteran ineligible for all VA burial benefits. Other types of less-than-honorable discharges may still qualify depending on the circumstances. The VA reviews these on a case-by-case basis through a character-of-discharge determination.

Incomplete Form

Missing information on VA Form 21P-530EZ triggers a request for additional evidence, which delays the claim by 30 to 60 days. In some cases, the VA will deny the claim outright if the missing information is critical and the claimant does not respond within the allotted time. Double-check every section before submitting. Have a Veterans Service Organization review the form if you are unsure about any part.

No Qualifying Condition at Time of Death

For the non-service-connected burial allowance, the veteran must have met at least one qualifying condition: receiving VA pension or compensation, having a pending claim, being hospitalized by the VA, or being Medicaid-eligible. If none of these conditions applied, the burial allowance will be denied. The family may still qualify for the plot allowance and the government headstone. Review our funeral glossary for definitions of key terms used in the claims process.

Frequently Asked Questions

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