Veteran Funeral Benefits in Iowa (2026 Guide)

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

Iowa is home to approximately 200,000 veterans and has one VA national cemetery at Keokuk plus the Iowa Veterans Cemetery at Van Meter. Veterans in Iowa qualify for up to $2,000 in federal burial benefits for service-connected deaths, plus free burial in any VA national cemetery with a government headstone, burial flag, and military honors.

2026 VA Burial Benefit Amounts

Benefit Category	2026 Amount	Notes
Service-connected death	$2,000	No time limit to file
Non-service-connected (VA hospitalized)	$1,002	Must file within 2 years of burial
Non-service-connected (not hospitalized)	$300	Must file within 2 years of burial
Plot or interment allowance	$1,002	When not buried in a national cemetery
Headstone or marker allowance	Up to $441	For already-purchased private headstone

These are federal benefits available to all eligible veterans regardless of state. For a detailed breakdown of what costs are and are not reimbursed, see our VA Burial Allowance 2026 guide.

VA National Cemeteries in Iowa

Name	City	Status
Keokuk National Cemetery	Keokuk	closed

For full eligibility details, see our National Cemetery Eligibility guide.

State Veterans Cemeteries in Iowa

Name	City
Iowa Veterans Cemetery	Van Meter

Note: State veterans cemeteries may have residency requirements. Contact the cemetery directly to confirm eligibility before making arrangements.

Iowa Veterans Benefits

Iowa offers property tax exemptions for disabled veterans and military retirement pay exclusion from state income tax. The state operates the Iowa Veterans Cemetery at Van Meter. Iowa also provides free hunting and fishing licenses for disabled veterans and offers the War Orphans Educational Aid program for dependents.

Eligibility Requirements

VA burial benefits are available to veterans who meet the following criteria:

Served on active duty, active duty for training, or inactive duty training with a discharge under conditions other than dishonorable.
For veterans who enlisted after September 7, 1980, or officers who entered service after October 16, 1981, a minimum of 24 consecutive months of active duty is required (or the full period for which they were called to active duty).
Reservists and National Guard members who were activated under federal orders and completed their service period are eligible.
Spouses, surviving spouses, and minor children of eligible veterans also qualify for burial in a national cemetery.

For full eligibility details including dependent rules, see our National Cemetery Eligibility guide.

How to Apply for VA Burial Benefits in Iowa

1. Gather documents. You will need the veteran's DD-214 (discharge papers), death certificate, and burial receipts from the funeral home and cemetery.
2. File VA Form 21P-530EZ. This is the Application for Burial Benefits. You can file online at va.gov, by mail to the VA Pension Management Center, or through a Veterans Service Organization (VSO) such as the VFW, American Legion, or DAV.
3. For national cemetery burial. Contact the National Cemetery Scheduling Office at 1-800-535-1117. The funeral home can also make this call on the family's behalf.
4. Get local assistance. Contact Des Moines Regional Office at 800-827-1000 for help with your claim or to connect with a local VSO.

For a complete walkthrough of the application process, see our VA Burial Allowance 2026 guide.

Military Funeral Honors in Iowa

Every eligible veteran in Iowa is entitled to military funeral honors at no cost. Standard honors include a minimum of two uniformed service members who fold and present the American flag to the next of kin and play Taps. Full honors, available for some veterans based on rank and service, may include a rifle volley, a color guard, and a military chaplain.

Honors are typically requested through the funeral home, which contacts the appropriate military branch. Families can also request honors directly by calling the Department of Defense at 1-877-MIL-HONR (1-877-645-4667).

For details on what each branch provides, see our Military Funeral Honors guide.

Find Funeral Homes in Iowa

When choosing a funeral home for a veteran, ask whether they routinely handle military funerals and whether they can assist with the DD-214, military honors requests, VA cemetery coordination, and burial flag. Many funeral homes in Iowa have experience serving military families.

Browse Funeral Homes in Iowa

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Full Directory by State

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Looking for the complete guide? See our Veterans Funeral Benefits 2026: Complete Guide for detailed information about burial allowances, headstone applications, burial flags, and survivor benefits.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many VA national cemeteries are in Iowa?

Iowa has one VA national cemetery: Keokuk National Cemetery in Keokuk, which is closed to new burials. The Iowa Veterans Cemetery at Van Meter serves as the primary veterans burial option in the state.

What state veterans benefits are available in Iowa?

Iowa offers property tax exemptions for disabled veterans, military retirement pay exclusion from state income tax, a state veterans cemetery at Van Meter, free hunting and fishing licenses for disabled veterans, and the War Orphans Educational Aid program.

How do I arrange a military funeral in Iowa?

Contact your funeral home director, who can help arrange burial at the Iowa Veterans Cemetery at Van Meter or coordinate with the VA National Cemetery Scheduling Office at 800-535-1117 for national cemetery burials. Military honors can be requested by calling 800-827-1000.

Can my spouse be buried with me in an Iowa veterans cemetery?

Yes. Spouses and eligible dependents of veterans can be buried in the same gravesite in the Iowa Veterans Cemetery at Van Meter. Contact the cemetery directly for eligibility and arrangement details.

Where is the closest VA regional office in Iowa?

The VA regional office serving Iowa is the Des Moines Regional Office located in Des Moines, IA. You can reach them at 800-827-1000 for assistance with burial benefits and other VA services.