Veteran Burial Allowance Amounts and Application

What are the burial allowance amounts for a service-connected death?

StatusMaximum burial allowance (in U.S. $)
If the Veteran died on or after September 11, 20012,000
If the Veteran died before September 11, 20011,500
If the Veteran is buried in a VA national cemeteryThe VA may pay you back for some or all of the costs of moving the Veteran’s remains

What is the burial allowance amount for a non-service-connected death?

StatusMaximum burial allowance
If the Veteran died on or after October 1, 2020The VA will pay a $300 burial allowance and $807 for a plot
If the Veteran died on or after October 1, 2019, but before October 1, 2020The VA will pay a $300 burial allowance and $796 for a plot
If the Veteran died on or after October 1, 2018, but before October 1, 2019The VA will pay a $300 burial allowance and $780 for a plot
If the Veteran died on or after October 1, 2017, but before October 1, 2018The VA will pay a $300 burial allowance and $762 for a plot
If the Veteran died on or after October 1, 2016, but before October 1, 2017The VA will pay a $300 burial allowance and $749 for a plot
If the Veteran died on or after October 1, 2015, but before October 1, 2016The VA will pay a $300 burial allowance and $747 for a plot
If the Veteran died on or after October 1, 2014, but before October 1, 2015The VA will pay a $300 burial allowance and $745 for a plot
If the Veteran died on or after October 1, 2013, but before October 1, 2014The VA will pay a $300 burial allowance and $734 for a plot

What is the burial allowance amount for a non-service-connected death if the Veteran was hospitalized by VA at the time of their death?

StatusMaximum burial allowance
If the Veteran died on or after October 1, 2020The VA will pay a $807 burial allowance and $807 for a plot
If the Veteran died on or after October 1, 2019, but before October 1, 2020The VA will pay a $796 burial allowance and $796 for a plot
If the Veteran died on or after October 1, 2018, but before October 1, 2019The VA will pay a $780 burial allowance and $780 for a plot
If the Veteran died on or after October 1, 2017, but before October 1, 2018The VA will pay a $762 burial allowance and $762 for a plot
If the Veteran died on or after October 1, 2016, but before October 1, 2017The VA will pay a $749 burial allowance and $749 for a plot
If the Veteran died on or after October 1, 2015, but before October 1, 2016The VA will pay a $747 burial allowance and $747 for a plot
If the Veteran died on or after October 1, 2014, but before October 1, 2015The VA will pay a $745 burial allowance and $745 for a plot
If the Veteran died on or after October 1, 2013, but before October 1, 2014The VA will pay a $734 burial allowance and $734 for a plot

The VA may also pay you back for some or all of the costs of moving the Veteran’s remains if they:

  • Were hospitalized or in a VA-contracted nursing home at the time of death, or
  • Died while travelling to VA-authorized care

Note: If a Veteran’s remains aren’t claimed, the VA will pay the person or organization responsible for the Veteran’s burial a $300 burial allowance. If the deceased qualifies, the VA may pay you back for the costs of moving the Veteran’s remains to a VA national cemetery.

Headstone or marker allowance amounts

StatusMaximum headstone or marker allowance (in U.S. $)
If the Veteran died on or after October 1, 2019236
If the Veteran died on or after October 1, 2018, but before October 1, 2019290
If the Veteran died on or after October 1, 2017, but before October 1, 2018195
If the Veteran died on or after October 1, 2016, but before October 1, 2017208
If the Veteran died on or after October 1, 2015, but before October 1, 2016218
If the Veteran died on or after October 1, 2014, but before October 1, 2015199
If the Veteran died on or after October 1, 2013, but before October 1, 2014205

Apply Online

You can also apply:

By mail
Apply by mail using an Application for Burial Benefits (VA Form 21P-530).
Download VA Form 21P-530 (PDF)

Mail the application and other documents listed above to your nearest VA regional office. Find your nearest VA regional office

If you have questions, call 800-827-1000. The VA is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. ET. Our TTY number for people with hearing impairments is 711. Or call your VA regional office.

Source: US Department of Veterans Affairs

Last updated: October 1, 2020