Private Cemetery Burial

Burial benefits available for veterans buried in a private cemetery include a government headstone or marker, a burial flag, and a presidential memorial certificate, at no cost to the family. Some veterans may also be eligible for burial allowances. There are no benefits available to spouses and dependents buried in a private cemetery.

National Cemetery Burial

Any veteran with a discharge other than dishonorable is entitled to be buried in an accepting national cemetery. A space for the spouse or any other minor children can be authorized at the time of the veteran’s death.

He or she may also receive a free grave liner, bronze marker and a flag holder appropriately marked with the veteran’s rank, war served, and religious icon.

The Veterans Administration does not pay for complete funerals, but it does provide certain merchandise, services, and reimbursements.

The United States government provides headstones and markers for the graves of veterans and eligible dependents anywhere in the world. Flat bronze, flat granite, flat marble and upright marble types are available to mark the grave of a veteran or dependent in the style consistent with exiting monuments at the place of burial. Bronze niche markers are also available to mark columbaria in national cemeteries used for internment of cremated remains.

Your local VA office or funeral home can provide you with the variety of benefits available.

For more information, see the Department of Veterans Affairs website.