Veterans Burial Benefits
National Veterans' Cemeteries
All veterans are entitled to a free burial in a national cemetery and a grave marker. Spouses and dependent children also are entitled to a lot and marker when buried in a national cemetery. This eligibility also extends to some civilians who have provided military-related service and some Public Health Service personnel.
There are no charges for opening or closing the grave, for a vault or grave liner, or for setting the marker in a national cemetery. The family generally is responsible for other expenses, including transportation.
The Department of Veterans Affairs’ National Cemetery Administration maintains 131 national cemeteries in 39 states and Puerto Rico as well as 33 soldier’s lots and monument sites.
For more information, click to the Federal Benefits for Veterans, Dependents and Survivors 2010 Edition, visit the Department of Veterans Affairs' Web site, or call (800) 827-1000.
Important Note: The FTC urges consumers to beware of commercial cemeteries that advertise "veterans' specials." These cemeteries sometimes offer a free plot for the veteran, but they might charge exorbitant rates for an adjoining plot for the spouse as well as high fees for opening and closing each grave.
