Veterans Benefits Quick Reference
Did the Veteran die or will the Veteran die at a VA Hospital?
- Gets $1002 burial or cremation allowance. (If veteran died on or after 10/01/2025)
- Gets $1002 plot allowance if they don’t use a National Cemetery & they have a receipt.
- Gets transportation from VA Hospital
- Gets transportation to place of burial
Did the Veteran die outside a VA Hospital?
Scenario #1
Did the Veteran receive a monthly VA service-connected disability pension?
- Gets $1002 burial or cremation allowance. (If veteran died on or after 10/01/2025)
- Gets $1002 plot allowance if they don’t use a National Cemetery & they have a receipt.
- If they are service connected, transportation will be paid only if buried in National Cemetery.
- Use of National Cemetery is permitted for Veteran & eligible spouse
Scenario #2
Did the Veteran receive a monthly VA support pension?
- Get $1002 burial or cremation allowance. (If veteran died on or after 10/02/2025)
- Get $1002 Plot allowance if they don’t use a National Cemetery & they have a receipt.
- No transport money is allowed, ever.
- Use of National Cemetery is permitted for Veteran & eligible spouse
Scenario #3
Did the Veteran receive a 100% service-connected disability pension?
- Must have died from service connection! If so, up to $2,000 is reimbursed to family on funeral/cremation costs.
- Use of National Cemetery is permitted for Veteran & eligible spouse
Burial in National Cemetery
All honorably discharged veterans are entitled to free grave space for the Veteran,
eligible spouse, minor children up to 21 years-old and adult dependent children.
Conditions to be met;
- Honorably discharged or under honorable conditions veteran serving any length of time before 9/07/80.
- Veterans entering service after this time must serve 24 months of continuous active duty or for the full time for which the person was called to active duty.
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