VA Burial Allowances

What
Are VA Burial Allowances?

VA burial allowances are partial reimbursements of an
eligible veteran's burial and funeral costs. 
When the cause of death is not service related, the reimbursements are
generally described as two payments:  (1)
a burial and funeral expense allowance, and (2) a plot or interment allowance.

Who
Is Eligible?

You may be eligible for a VA burial
allowance if:

·        
you
paid for a veteran's burial or funeral, AND

·        
you
have not been reimbursed by another government agency or some other source,
such as the deceased veteran's employer, and

·        
the
veteran was discharged under conditions other than dishonorable.

In addition, at least one of
the following conditions must be met:

·        
the
veteran died because of a service-related disability, or

·        
the
veteran was receiving VA pension or compensation at the time of death,  Or

·        
the
veteran was entitled to receive VA pension or compensation, but decided not to
reduce his/her military retirement or disability pay, or

·        
the
veteran died while hospitalized by VA, or while receiving care under VA
contract at a non-VA facility,  OR

·        
the
veteran died while traveling under proper authorization and at VA expense to or
from a specified place for the purpose of examination, treatment, or care, OR

·        
the
veteran had an original or reopened claim pending at the time of death and has
been found entitled to compensation or pension from a date prior to the date or
death,  OR

·        
the
veteran died on or after October 9, 1996, while a patient at a VA-approved
state nursing home.

How Much Does VA Pay?

Service-Related Death.  VA will pay up to
$2,000 toward burial expenses for deaths on or after September 11, 2001.  VA will pay up to $1,500 for deaths prior to
September 10, 2001.  If the veteran is
buried in a VA national cemetery, some or all of the cost of transporting the
deceased may be reimbursed.

Nonservice-Related
Death.  VA will pay up to $300 toward burial and
funeral expenses and a $300 plot-interment allowance for deaths on or after
December 1, 2001.  The plot-interment
allowance is $150 for deaths prior to December 1, 2001.  If the death happened while the veteran was
in a VA hospital or under VA contracted nursing home care, some or all of the
costs for transporting the veteran’s remains may be reimbursed.