How to Claim Veterans Death Benefits: A Practical Guide for Families

When a veteran dies, certain veterans death benefits may help with funeral costs, burial in a veterans cemetery, grave markers, and ongoing support for eligible survivors. These benefits are typically handled by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) through VA regional offices, VA national cemeteries, and the VA benefits hotline.

This guide focuses on federal VA death and burial-related benefits from the U.S. government, not private life insurance or employer benefits, and processes may differ for state or local veteran programs.

1. What Veterans Death Benefits Usually Cover (and Who Handles Them)

Veterans death benefits are not one single program; they are several related benefits that may apply at the same time, depending on the veteran’s service and the survivor’s relationship.

The main official systems involved are usually:

  • A VA Regional Office (Veterans Benefits Administration office) for burial allowances, Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC), accrued benefits, and survivor’s pension.
  • A National Cemetery Scheduling Office or VA cemetery office for burial in a VA national cemetery and headstones/markers.

Common federal VA death-related benefits include:

  • Burial allowance (partial reimbursement of burial and funeral expenses, in some cases).
  • Plot or interment allowance (for burial outside a VA cemetery, in some cases).
  • Burial in a VA national cemetery for eligible veterans.
  • Headstone, marker, or medallion for an eligible veteran’s grave.
  • Presidential Memorial Certificate for next of kin.
  • DIC (Dependency and Indemnity Compensation) for eligible surviving spouses, children, or parents when the death was service-connected or certain other conditions are met.
  • Survivors Pension for low-income surviving spouses/children of certain wartime veterans.

Rules, amounts, and eligibility vary by situation and change over time, so you’ll need to confirm details with the VA or your state veterans affairs office before assuming anything is covered.

Key terms to know:

  • Burial Allowance — A benefit that may reimburse part of funeral and burial costs for eligible veterans.
  • Service-Connected Death — The veteran’s death is determined by VA to be caused or significantly contributed to by a service-related disability.
  • DIC (Dependency and Indemnity Compensation) — A monthly benefit for certain survivors of service members or veterans whose death is service-connected.
  • VA Regional Office — A local benefits office where claims for VA compensation, pension, and many death-related benefits are processed.

2. First Official Steps to Take After a Veteran’s Death

Your most useful immediate step is to contact the VA and report the veteran’s death, then confirm what benefits might apply in your case.

You can do this in one of these ways:

  • Call the VA benefits hotline listed on the official VA website and ask to report a veteran’s death and get guidance on death and burial benefits.
  • Visit a local VA Regional Office (a Veterans Benefits Administration office) and ask to speak with someone about death and burial benefits.
  • Contact a County/State Veterans Service Office (VSO), which commonly helps families file VA claims for free.

A simple phone script you can adapt:
“My [relationship], a veteran, has passed away. I need to report the death and find out which VA death or burial benefits we might qualify for and how to apply.”

After you report the death, the VA or VSO staff will typically:

  • Verify the veteran’s identity and service.
  • Tell you which forms are usually needed (for example, for burial benefits or DIC).
  • Explain what benefits seem potentially available based on your answers.

3. Documents You’ll Typically Need and How to Prepare Them

Having key documents ready often speeds up the process and reduces back-and-forth with VA staff.

Documents you’ll typically need:

  • Veteran’s DD214 or other discharge papers (proof of military service and discharge status).
  • Official death certificate listing cause and date of death.
  • Marriage certificate (for a surviving spouse) and, if applicable, divorce decrees from prior marriages.

Other documents that are often required or very helpful:

  • Birth certificates for minor or dependent children.
  • Bank account information (routing and account number) for direct deposit of any benefits.
  • Funeral home itemized bill and proof of payment (for burial allowance reimbursement claims).
  • Any existing VA rating decision letters showing service-connected disabilities.

If you don’t have the DD214, you can commonly:

  • Ask the veteran’s funeral home; many are familiar with requesting service records.
  • Request copies through the National Personnel Records Center via the forms the VA or VSO can provide.
  • Check if the veteran ever signed up for VA health care; the VA may already have some service information on file.

4. Step-by-Step: How to Claim Key VA Death and Burial Benefits

4.1 Burial and Funeral Cost Reimbursement (Burial Allowance)

  1. Confirm eligibility and obtain the correct form.
    Ask the VA Regional Office or a VSO which burial benefit form applies to your situation (commonly VA Form for burial benefits) and whether the death appears potentially service-connected or non-service-connected.

  2. Gather proof of costs and service.
    Collect the funeral home bill, receipts, burial plot invoice, DD214, and death certificate; make copies for your records.

  3. Submit the claim to the VA Regional Office.
    You can usually mail, fax, or submit online through the official VA portal, or hand-deliver to a VA Regional Office; some families have a VSO submit on their behalf.

  4. What to expect next.
    The VA typically sends a confirmation that your claim was received, then may request more documents (such as additional proof of service or relationship); if approved, reimbursement is usually paid by direct deposit or mailed check, but timing and amounts are not guaranteed.

4.2 Burial in a VA National Cemetery and Headstone/Marker

  1. Decide if you want burial in a VA national cemetery.
    Burial at a VA national cemetery is often available for eligible veterans with an other-than-dishonorable discharge and may include a gravesite, opening/closing of the grave, a government headstone or marker, and perpetual care.

  2. Contact the National Cemetery Scheduling Office or local VA cemetery office.
    Funeral homes often do this for you, but you can call directly; you’ll usually need the veteran’s Social Security number, service information, and DD214.

  3. Provide documentation and coordinate the service.
    Once eligibility is confirmed, the cemetery staff or scheduling office works with you and the funeral home to schedule the burial date, military honors (if requested and available), and the inscription for the headstone or marker.

  4. What to expect next.
    On the scheduled date, the burial proceeds at the VA cemetery, and after the service the headstone or marker is ordered and installed by the cemetery; they’ll usually tell you an estimated timeframe for marker placement, which can take several weeks or longer.

4.3 Ongoing Monthly Support (DIC or Survivors Pension)

  1. Ask whether DIC or Survivors Pension may apply.
    During your first contact with the VA or VSO, specifically mention you are interested in DIC or Survivors Pension; they’ll ask questions about the veteran’s service, cause of death, and your income/assets.

  2. Complete the appropriate survivor application form.
    You’ll typically complete a survivor benefits application that asks for your income, assets, marital history, dependent information, and details about the veteran’s service and death.

  3. Submit the application and required documents.
    Provide DD214, death certificate, marriage certificate, children’s birth certificates, and financial information if applying for Survivors Pension; submit via mail, online through the VA system, or in person at a VA Regional Office.

  4. What to expect next.
    The VA often acknowledges receipt, may send follow-up letters asking for additional documents or clarifications, and then issues a written decision notice approving, denying, or deferring (pending more information) your claim; any benefit is typically paid monthly by direct deposit if approved.

5. Real-World Friction to Watch For

Real-world friction to watch for

A very common delay happens when families cannot quickly provide the DD214 (discharge papers) or a clear cause of death on the death certificate. Without these, the VA may not finalize eligibility for certain burial benefits or DIC. If you’re missing either document, ask the VA or a VSO right away how to request updated records or an amended death certificate so your claim doesn’t sit inactive.

6. Where to Get Legitimate Help and Avoid Scams

Because veterans death benefits involve money and personal information, scams and unofficial fee-based services are common.

For safe help, stick to these options:

  • VA Regional Office (Veterans Benefits Administration) — Official office for filing claims, asking about status, updating information, and getting official forms.
  • Accredited Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs) — Such as county or state veterans services offices, and accredited nonprofit VSOs; they commonly help survivors prepare and submit VA claims at no charge.
  • State or County Veterans Affairs Office — Many states have their own veterans benefits and burial assistance programs that can supplement federal VA benefits.

To avoid fraud:

  • Look for .gov websites when searching online for VA or government contacts.
  • Do not pay upfront fees to “guarantee” faster approval or bigger benefits; no one can legitimately promise that.
  • Never share full Social Security numbers or bank details with anyone except verified government offices or accredited VSOs; if in doubt, call the VA benefits hotline and confirm if a request is legitimate.

A concrete step you can take today is to locate your nearest VA Regional Office or county veterans service office by searching for your state’s official veterans affairs agency portal, then call and say you need help with filing VA death and burial benefits for a recently deceased veteran; from there, they can walk you through exactly which benefits and forms apply in your specific situation.