State Veteran Cemeteries
State Veteran Cemeteries: Eligibility, Funding, and Operating Authority
What state veteran cemeteries means and why it matters
State Veteran Cemeteries: Eligibility, Funding, and Operating Authority is one of the most consequential benefits available to U.S. veterans and their families. This article walks through eligibility, procedure, dollar amounts, common edge cases, and the federal regulation that governs each step.
Why this exists
The federal framework for state veteran cemeteries traces to the Reconstruction-era acts establishing national cemeteries and to the modern Department of Veterans Affairs (1989; predecessor Veterans Administration since 1930). The current administering authority is either the National Cemetery Administration (for cemeteries) or the Veterans Benefits Administration (for monetary allowances).
How families encounter it
Most veteran families encounter state veteran cemeteries during the first 72 hours after a veteran's death. The funeral home is the typical guide; veteran-friendly homes that file VA paperwork at no charge handle most of the procedural detail. Surviving spouses unfamiliar with the system commonly miss benefits the family is entitled to — the most underclaimed are the plot allowance and the Presidential Memorial Certificate.
Where to learn more
- VA.gov — Official Department of Veterans Affairs site. The burials-memorials section is the authoritative reference.
- 1-800-827-1000 — VA Burial Benefits help line, 8am–9pm Eastern weekdays.
- 1-800-535-1117 — National Cemetery Scheduling Office, available 24/7 for active funeral arrangements.
- Veterans Service Officers (VSO) at VFW, American Legion, AMVETS, and DAV posts — file claims at no charge.
Where to get help
VA Burial Benefits help line: 1-800-827-1000 — 8am–9pm Eastern, weekdays. Operators can pre-screen eligibility and answer specific questions.
National Cemetery Scheduling Office: 1-800-535-1117 — 24/7, for active funeral arrangements only. Not for general questions.
DoD Honors Coordination: 1-877-MIL-HONR (1-877-645-4667) — for honors requests inside 72 hours of service time.
Veterans Service Officers (VSO) at VFW, American Legion, AMVETS, DAV, or county Veterans Affairs offices — file claims and appeals at no charge.
VA.gov — official documentation, downloadable forms, claim status tracking.
Common Questions
Frequently asked
Does the VA pay for the funeral itself?
Not directly. The VA pays a burial allowance — currently $948 for non-service-connected death and up to $2,000 for service-connected — to whoever paid the funeral home. The allowance offsets but does not fully cover most funerals.
Can the spouse be buried alongside the veteran at a VA national cemetery?
Yes. Spouses and dependent children of eligible veterans may be buried at any VA national cemetery, even if they predecease the veteran. The plot, opening and closing, and perpetual care are free.
How fast can a VA cemetery burial be scheduled?
Within 24–72 hours when documentation is complete. The funeral home or family calls the National Cemetery Scheduling Office at 1-800-535-1117 with the DD-214 and death certificate.
What if the veteran's DD-214 is missing?
Request a replacement from the National Personnel Records Center using Standard Form 180. Expect 4–6 weeks during normal demand, longer around Memorial Day and Veterans Day. The National Cemetery Scheduling Office can sometimes verify service via internal records while the replacement is in transit.
Can a veteran's family choose the specific plot at a VA national cemetery?
Generally no. The cemetery assigns plots in order. Pre-need reservation is available in narrow circumstances (Medal of Honor recipients, members buried alongside an already-interred spouse). For plot choice, families typically use a private cemetery with a VA-furnished marker.
Does the VA pay for funeral home services?
The VA does not pay funeral homes directly. The burial allowance is reimbursement to the family or whoever paid the funeral home. The funeral home's pricing is set by the home (subject to FTC Funeral Rule disclosure requirements).
EverSettled · After the Veteran Funeral
The veteran's spouse may qualify for VA Dependency & Indemnity Compensation.
DIC is a tax-free monthly benefit for surviving spouses, dependent children, and (in some cases) parents of veterans whose death is service-connected. EverSettled walks veteran families through DIC eligibility, survivor pension, life-insurance claims, probate, and the federal-account paperwork that follows.
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