Burial and memorial benefits are available for eligible service members, Veterans, and family members.
For Burial in a National Cemetery Burial benefits available include a gravesite in any of our 131 national cemeteries with available space, opening and closing of the grave, perpetual care, 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. Cremated remains are buried or inurned in national cemeteries in the same manner and with the same honors as casketed remains.
Burial benefits available for spouses and dependents buried in a national cemetery include burial with the Veteran, perpetual care, and the spouse or dependents name and date of birth and death will be inscribed on the Veteran's headstone, at no cost to the family. Eligible spouses and dependents may be buried, even if they predecease the Veteran.
The Veterans family should make funeral or cremation arrangements with a funeral provider or cremation office. Any item or service obtained from a funeral home or cremation office will be at the family's expense.
For Burial in a Private Cemetery
Burial benefits available for Veterans buried in a private cemetery may include a Government headstone, marker or medallion, 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 not any VA benefits available to spouses and dependents buried in a private cemetery
Death Benefits
Burial in a VA National Cemetery: 38 USC Ch. 24
CFR: 38 CFR Chapter 1, Part 38- National Cemeteries of the Department of Veterans Affairs
Burial in an Army National Cemetery: 24 USC Ch. 7
CFR: 32 CFR Chapter 5, Part 553- Army National Cemeteries
Payment of Burial Benefits: 38 USC Ch. 23
CFR: 38 CFR, Chapter 1, Part 3, Subpart B- Burial Benefits
Dependency and Indemnity Compensation: 38 USC 1301-1319
CFR: 38 CFR, Chapter 1, Part 3, Subpart A, Sections 3.5 & 3.20-3.25
Go to Title 32--National Defense, Chapter V--Department of the Army, Part 553--Army National Cemeteries
To search for cemeteries by state, Browse National Cemetery Administration Facilities by State.
To search for a specific grave, try using the Nationwide Grave Locator.
A list of state veterans' cemeteries is available here: List of Veterans Cemeteries (Addresses and Phone Numbers)