The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers burial benefits for eligible veterans, their spouses, and their dependent children. To receive VA burial benefits, you must be a veteran of the Armed Forces (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard) with a discharge other than dishonorable.

In order to qualify for VA benefits, you will need a copy of the veteran’s discharge papers or DD 214 form. This form identifies the classification of discharge. If the DD 214 form is misplaced or lost, you can contact Veteran Affairs or your local Veteran Service Officer to request a replacement form.

The VA does not directly pay for funeral or burial/cremation expenses. The person who paid for the funeral expenses of a veteran may be eligible for a reimbursement for a portion of the expenses. The amount of reimbursement depends on the status of the veteran (active or retired), whether it was a service-related death or if they were under the care of a VA hospital at the time of death. For the current reimbursement amounts, consult the Veterans Affairs website.

The VA offers eligible veterans and spouses a burial space in a national cemetery where there is space available, at no cost to the family. Burials at Arlington National Cemetery are reserved for military retirees, Medal of Honor recipients, or members who die on active duty. In the Central PA area, Fort Indiantown Gap, which is run by the National Cemetery Administration is available for veteran burials.

Burial space is also available at state cemeteries. In many cases, state cemeteries are funded by VA grants and must adhere to federal eligibility requirements. Burial benefits often include opening and closing of the grave, perpetual care, grave liner, and the setting of the government-furnished headstone or marker, at no cost to the family. Burial spaces may not be arranged in advance but are offered to families as the need arises.

Veterans buried in a private cemetery may be eligible to receive a government-furnished headstone, marker or medallion, one burial flag, and Presidential Memorial Certificate, at no cost to the family. The VA will not pay for cemetery plots or opening and closing of graves at private cemeteries. Spouses and dependents buried in a private cemetery are not eligible to receive any VA benefits.

The family of every veteran receives a burial flag, which is presented to the spouse or designated next of kin. You can also request that an honor guard be present at the ceremony. Be sure to notify us that you would like to request one, so that we can contact the appropriate military branch.

The staff at Parthemore Funeral Home is well versed in benefits that are available to eligible veterans and will help you submit any necessary claim forms to the Veterans Affairs.