Veterans & Military · Surprise rank #92
Veteran Died? VA Can Help Pay Burial, Plot and Sometimes Transportation Costs
VA burial benefits can reimburse eligible survivors or payees for qualifying burial/funeral costs, plot or interment costs and certain transportation of a Veteran's remains.
Who
Eligible surviving family members or other people who paid covered burial, interment or transportation expenses for a qualifying Veteran.
What to do
Start here: Use VA Form 21P-530EZ or the VA online burial-benefits application and keep itemized receipts, especially for transportation.
Eligibility: Eligibility differs for service-connected and non-service-connected deaths and for deaths while under VA care. Claimant and service requirements apply.
What you get
Separate VA burial, plot/interment and qualifying transportation benefits may be available after an eligible Veteran dies.
Benefit: Payments toward qualifying funeral/burial costs, plot/interment costs and certain transportation expenses.
Possible value: Depends on the Veteran's circumstances, service connection, date of death and the current VA allowance schedule.
Good to know
Important: Some claims have a two-year filing deadline, while service-connected burial/transportation claims and certain plot/transportation claims have no time limit. Eligible surviving spouses may receive certain payments automatically.
Availability: Active
Why people miss it: Families may know about national-cemetery burial but not the separate cash allowances and transportation reimbursement.
Sources reviewed: Aug 10, 2026