What VA burial benefits can include
- Burial in a VA national cemetery (for eligible veterans and, in many cases, spouses and dependents)
- A government headstone, marker or medallion
- A burial flag and Presidential Memorial Certificate
- A burial allowance and plot or interment allowance, depending on the circumstances of death
Allowance amounts depend on whether the death was service-connected and other factors, and they change periodically. Check current amounts at VA.gov/burials-memorials.
What's often left over
Funeral home services, viewing, transportation, cremation or casket, flowers, obituary and final medical bills can add up to several thousand dollars — often well beyond the allowances. Families frequently pay the difference out of pocket, sometimes before any reimbursement arrives.
How final expense insurance helps
- Pays a set amount directly to your beneficiary, usually quickly
- Can be used for anything — funeral, bills, travel for family
- Simplified underwriting, no exam
- Premiums stay level and coverage lasts for life on whole life final expense plans
Plan ahead
Pre-registering for burial eligibility with the VA and writing down your wishes spare your family hard decisions. Pair that with a final expense policy and they can focus on honoring you.
Frequently asked questions
Can my spouse be buried in a national cemetery?
Spouses and dependents of eligible veterans are often eligible too. Check VA.gov for current eligibility rules.
Does final expense insurance affect my VA benefits?
No. A private final expense policy is separate from VA benefits and pays your beneficiary directly.
This guide is general education, not insurance, tax, legal or benefits advice. Verify VA program details at VA.gov.
