Burial Reimbursements

Service-Connected Death
The VA will pay a burial allowance up to $2,000 if the veteran's death is service-connected. In such cases, the person who bore the veteran's burial expenses may apply for a claim reimbursement from the VA.

In some cases, VA will pay the cost of transporting the remains of a service-connected veteran to the nearest national cemetery with available gravesites. There is no time limit for filing reimbursement claims in service-connected death cases.

Non-Service-Connected Death
Burial Allowance: VA will pay a $300 burial and funeral allowance for veterans who, at the time of death, were entitled to receive pension or compensation or would have been entitled if they weren't receiving military retirement pay. Eligibility also may be established when death occurs in a VA facility, a VA-contracted nursing home or a state veterans nursing home. In non-service connected death cases, claims must be filed within two years after burial or cremation.

Plot Allowance: VA will pay a $300 plot allowance when a veteran is buried in a cemetery not under U.S. government jurisdiction if: the veteran was discharged from active duty because of disability incurred or aggravated in the line of duty; the veteran was receiving compensation or pension or would have been if they weren't receiving military retired pay; or they died in a VA facility.

The $300 plot allowance may be paid to the state for the cost of plot or interment in a state-owned cemetery reserved solely for veteran burials if the veteran is buried without charge. Burial expenses paid by the deceased's employer or a state agency will not be reimbursed.

An Application for Burial Benefits, VA Form 21-530, must be completed and turned into the VA Regional Office of jurisdiction.

VA Headstone or Grave Marker

VA will provide a headstone or grave marker for veterans buried anywhere in the world, and for eligible dependents buried in National Cemeteries, State Veterans' Cemeteries, or Military Post Cemeteries.

The style and type of marker furnished will depend on the rules of the particular cemetery. Niche markers are also available for identifying cremated remains in a columbarium.

The headstone or marker will generally contain the name of the deceased, the year of birth and death and (for the veteran) the branch of service. Optionally, the headstone or marker may also be inscribed with the deceased veteran's military grade, rank, or rate, complete dates of birth and death, an appropriate religious emblem, and a listing of any awards for valor.

If the burial is in a National Cemetery, a state veterans' cemetery, or a military post cemetery, the headstone or marker is ordered through the cemetery, which will place it on the gravesite. If the burial is in any other cemetery, the headstone or marker must be ordered from VA by completing VA Form 40-1330, Application for Standard Government Headstone or Marker for installation in a Private or State Veterans' Cemetery, and sending it to:

A copy of the veteran's military discharge or supporting documentation of service must accompany the application.

Burial Flags

The following veterans are eligible to receive a VA furnished U.S. burial flag for memorialization:

• Veterans who served during wartime or after January 31, 1955.
• Veterans who were entitled to retired pay for service in the reserves, or would have been entitled if over age 60.
• Members or former members of the Selected Reserve who served their initial obligation, or were discharged for a disability incurred or aggravated in line of duty, or died while a member of the Selected Reserve.

Military Funeral Honors

Upon request, the Department of Defense will provide military funeral honors consisting of folding and presentation of the United States flag and the playing of "Taps." A funeral honors detail consists of two or more uniformed members of the armed forces, with at least one member from the deceased's branch of service. There are times when veterans' service organizations or volunteer groups may help provide honors.

Family members should inform their funeral directors if they want military funeral honors. DOD maintains a toll-free number for use by funeral directors ONLY to request honors. VA can help arrange honors for burials at VA national cemeteries.

Presidential Memorial Certificates

The Presidential Memorial Certificate Program was initiated in March 1962 by President John F. Kennedy to honor the memory of honorably discharged, deceased veterans and may be issued to the families or loved ones of any honorably discharged deceased veteran.

The Department of Veterans Affairs administers the program by preparing the certificates that bears the President's signature and expresses the country's grateful recognition of the veteran's service in the United States Armed Forces.

There is no time limit for requesting a Presidential Memorial Certificate.

This certificate may be obtained by mailing a written request for the Presidential Memorial Certificate to any VA Regional Office or to:

Burial in VA National Cemeteries

Burial in a VA national cemetery is available for eligible veterans, their spouses and dependents at no cost to the family and includes the gravesite, grave-liner, opening and closing of the grave, a headstone or marker, and perpetual care as part of a national shrine.

The funeral director or the next of kin makes internment arrangements by contacting the national cemetery in which burial is desired. VA normally does not conduct burials on weekends. Gravesites cannot be reserved; however VA will honor reservations made under previous programs.

Eligibility

• Any deceased veteran discharged from the U. S. Armed Forces under conditions other than dishonorable is eligible for burial in a National Cemetery.
• Military service after September 7, 1980, requires a minimum of 24 months of service except for special circumstances.
• Individuals with 20 or more years of service in the National Guard or Reserves, entitled to retired pay are eligible for burial.
• Spouses, surviving spouses, dependent children, and adult, handicapped children are eligible for burial.

NC National Cemeteries

New Bern National Cemetery 1711 National Avenue New Bern, NC 28560 Phone: (252) 637-2912		Salisbury National Cemetery 202 Government Road Salisbury, NC 28144 Phone: (704) 636-2661 or 4621
Raleigh National Cemetery 501 Rock Quarry Road Raleigh, NC 27610-3335 (For info contact Salisbury (704) 636-2661)		Wilmington National Cemetery 2011 Market Street Wilmington, NC 28403 (For info contact New Bern (252) 637-2912

Burial in Arlington National Cemetery

The following link will provide you with all the information needed in regards to burial in Arlington National Cemetery.
www.arlingtoncemetery.org/funeral_information/guide.interment.html

Burial in NC State Veterans Cemetery

A free burial plot is provided at a North Carolina State Veterans Cemetery for eligible North Carolina veterans and their legal spouse (and dependents under certain conditions). Veterans must be discharged under honorable conditions and meet certain residency requirements.

Eligibility

1. A Qualified Veteran

• Any former member of the U.S. Armed Forces whose service on active duty, other than for training, was terminated under honorable conditions.
• A veteran who is entitled to retired pay for non-regular service (i.e., service in the Reserve Components or Army or Air National Guard) or a veteran who would have been entitled to retired pay for non-regular service, but for the fact that the person was under 60 years of age.
2. North Carolina Resident

• Only those veterans who are legal residents of North Carolina (1) at the time of death, (2) for a period of at least 10 years, or (3) at the time the veteran entered the Armed Forces of the United States are eligible for interment.
3. Dependent(s)

• The spouse, widow or widower of a qualified veteran or a minor child who is unmarried and dependent on the qualified veteran at the time of death. For purposes of definition, a "minor child" includes a child under 21 years of age or under 23 years of age if pursuing a course of instruction at an educational institution approved by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs. In addition, an unmarried adult child of a qualified veteran who became permanently incapable of self-support because of a physical or mental disability before attaining the age of 18 years is also eligible.

NC State Veterans Cemeteries

Western Carolina State Veterans Cemetery
962 Old US 70 Highway
Black Mountain, NC 28711
Phone: (828)669-0684

Coastal Carolina State Veterans Cemetery
110 Montford Point Road
Mailing: P.O. Box 1486
Jacksonville, NC 28451
Phone: (910) 347-4550

Sandhills State Veterans Cemetery
400 Murchison Road
Mailing: P.O. Box 39
Spring Lake, NC 28390