By Frank Flores, founder of FamiliaLista · Updated November 2026

VA burial benefits and pre-need eligibility: a family's guide

Burial in a VA national cemetery comes with the gravesite, the opening and closing of the grave, perpetual care, a government headstone or marker, a burial flag and a Presidential Memorial Certificate, at no cost to the family. To schedule it, the family or funeral home calls the National Cemetery Scheduling Office at 800-535-1117 with the veteran's discharge papers. You can ask VA now for a pre-need eligibility decision (VA Form 40-10007), so your family already has the answer.

What does burial in a VA national cemetery include?

• A gravesite in any VA national cemetery with space, opening and closing of the grave, and perpetual care.
• A government headstone, marker or medallion.
• A burial flag and a Presidential Memorial Certificate.

All at no cost to the family. Anything from the funeral home or cremation provider is at the family's expense. Source: cem.va.gov

Can your spouse be buried with you?

Yes. A veteran's spouse, widow or widower, minor children and, in some cases, unmarried adult children with disabilities can be buried in a national cemetery with the veteran, with their name and dates inscribed on the veteran's headstone at no cost. A spouse can be buried there even if they die before the veteran. Source: cem.va.gov

What is a pre-need eligibility decision, and why ask for it now?

It's VA's answer, in advance, to whether you can be buried in a VA national cemetery. You apply with VA Form 40-10007, online or by mail to the NCA Evidence Intake Center, PO Box 5237, Janesville, WI 53547. Source: va.gov

• It makes planning easier for your family when the time comes. Source: va.gov
• It doesn't choose or reserve a cemetery or gravesite; those can't be reserved in advance. Eligibility may be reviewed again at the time of death. Source: va.gov
• It can't be requested after the person has died. Source: va.gov
• It doesn't cover Arlington National Cemetery, the Soldiers' and Airmen's Home National Cemetery, or state, territory or tribal veterans cemeteries; those have their own process. Source: va.gov
• VA can't process it until it has all the supporting documents, so send your DD-214 with it. Source: va.gov

What will the family be asked when they call to schedule?

• Discharge papers, such as the DD-214. The discharge must be other than dishonorable.
• Details about the person who died: ID number, date of birth, date of death and marital status.
• Contact details for the next of kin.
• Burial choices: the cemetery, casket or cremation, and the memorial.
• Sometimes, documents that show relationship or dependent status, such as a death certificate.

Source: va.gov Lost the DD-214? See how to get a DD-214 fast for a funeral.

Does VA help pay for a burial in a private cemetery?

• Service-connected death: up to $2,000 for a death on or after Sept. 11, 2001 ($1,500 before). There's no time limit to file. Source: va.gov
• Non-service-connected death on or after Oct. 1, 2026: $1,032 burial allowance and $1,032 for a plot. File within 2 years after the burial, with some exceptions. Source: va.gov
• A surviving spouse listed on the veteran's VA profile doesn't need to file: VA pays a set amount automatically when it learns of the death. Source: va.gov
• Others, such as a child, the executor or the funeral home, apply with VA Form 21P-530EZ, online or by mail. Source: va.gov

What about Texas State Veterans Cemeteries?

The Texas Veterans Land Board runs five state veterans cemeteries: Killeen (Central Texas), Corpus Christi (Coastal Bend), Mission (Rio Grande Valley), Abilene and Lubbock (West Texas). Source: glo.texas.gov They use the same eligibility as VA national cemeteries, and their burial benefits are identical. Source: glo.texas.gov Questions: Veterans Land Board, 800-252-8387. Source: glo.texas.gov

Texas also has six VA national cemeteries, in Dallas-Fort Worth, El Paso, Houston, Kerrville and San Antonio (two). Source: glo.texas.gov More state benefits are in Texas benefits for veteran families.

What should you write down for your family?

• Where your pre-need letter and DD-214 are.
• Which cemetery you prefer, burial or cremation, and military honors.
• What you'd like on your headstone or marker.
• The funeral home you'd like, and who should make the calls.

▶  Watch how to set it up, step by step.

Frequently asked questions

Sources

• VA National Cemetery Administration: Burial benefits
• VA.gov: Plan a burial for a family member
• VA.gov: Pre-need eligibility for burial in a VA national cemetery
• VA.gov: Veterans burial allowance
• Texas Veterans Land Board: Texas State Veterans Cemeteries
• Texas Veterans Land Board: Cemetery burial benefits and eligibility
• Texas Veterans Land Board: Cemetery locations

Every source above was checked in November 2026. General information, not legal or financial advice. VA and Texas rules change; check the official sources above or talk to your county Veterans Service Officer or another accredited representative about your situation.

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