Veteran Funeral Benefits in Tennessee (2026 Guide)

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

Tennessee is home to approximately 470,000 veterans and has five VA national cemeteries located in Chattanooga, Knoxville, Memphis, Nashville, and Mountain Home. Veterans in Tennessee 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 Tennessee

Name	City	Status
Chattanooga National Cemetery	Chattanooga	open
Knoxville National Cemetery	Knoxville	closed
Memphis National Cemetery	Memphis	open
Mountain Home National Cemetery	Johnson City	open
Nashville National Cemetery	Nashville	open

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

State Veterans Cemeteries in Tennessee

Name	City
East Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery	Knoxville
Middle Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery	Nashville
West Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery	Memphis

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

Tennessee Veterans Benefits

Tennessee provides a free license plate for disabled veterans and a property tax exemption for disabled veterans. The state operates three state veterans cemeteries in Knoxville, Nashville, and Memphis. Tennessee has no state income tax on wages, which benefits military personnel and retirees.

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 Tennessee

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 Nashville 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 Tennessee

Every eligible veteran in Tennessee 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 Tennessee

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 Tennessee have experience serving military families.

Browse Funeral Homes in Tennessee

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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 Tennessee?

Tennessee has five VA national cemeteries: Chattanooga, Knoxville, Memphis, Mountain Home in Johnson City, and Nashville. Chattanooga, Memphis, Mountain Home, and Nashville are open for new burials.

What state veterans benefits are available in Tennessee?

Tennessee offers a free license plate for disabled veterans, property tax exemptions for disabled veterans, three state veterans cemeteries in Knoxville, Nashville, and Memphis, and no state income tax on wages.

How do I arrange a military funeral in Tennessee?

Contact your funeral home director, who will coordinate with the VA National Cemetery Scheduling Office at 800-535-1117 for national cemetery burials. Military honors can be requested through the Department of Defense by calling 800-827-1000.

Can my spouse be buried with me in a Tennessee VA cemetery?

Yes. Spouses and eligible dependents of veterans can be buried in the same gravesite in a VA national cemetery at no cost. The spouse does not need to be a veteran to qualify for this benefit.

Where is the closest VA regional office in Tennessee?

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