Questions about Veterans Death Benefits

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Is there a national VA website?

Yes, the Department of Veterans Affairs has a website that you can access by going to www.va.gov and clicking on benefits tab or the burials & memorials tab.

Who can receive mortuary and burial allowances?

• Any veteran whose death occurs..

...as an inpatient at a VA Facility

...as a patient in a nursing home under VA contract

...as a patient in a state veterans nursing home

• Any veteran who at the time of death was entitled to receive pension or compensation or would have been entitled to receipt of military retirement pay

What is the reimbursement for mortuary and burial expenses?

The VA will pay:

• $300 for funeral costs when death occurs within..

...a VA facility

...a nursing home under VA contract

...a state veterans nursing home

• $300 for burial (if buried in a private cemetery)

• Up to $2000 if the veteran's death is service-connected

• Transportation cost of the remains may be paid

Who may file a claim and is there a time limit?

• Only the person who paid the veteran's burial expenses may file a claim for reimbursement Call the VA regional office at 1(800)827-1000 for more information

• There is no time limit for filing reimbursement claims of service-connected death

• In other deaths, claims must be filed within two years after permanent burial or cremation

How do we get an American Flag for burial?

• If the veteran's death is in a VA Medical Center, a burial flag will be furnished to the mortuary which will be given to the family or a close associate of the deceased veteran

• If a veteran's death is within the community, the mortuary will help the family to get a American Flag for burial

How do we arrange military funeral honors?

• Military funeral honors include the playing of taps, a flag presentation and gun salute

• Arrangements for military honors are made by the mortuary of family