Understanding VA Burial Benefits for Spouses and Dependents

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers a range of burial benefits to help honor the sacrifices of veterans, their spouses, and dependents. These benefits provide families with dignified and respectful burial services, ensuring that veterans’ loved ones are recognized for their connection to those who served the country. However, many families may not be fully aware of the specific burial benefits available for spouses and dependents of veterans.

In this blog, we’ll explore the VA burial benefits available to spouses and dependents, detailing the services provided, how to apply, and what families need to know to ensure their loved ones receive the honors they deserve. With the help of organizations like Warrior Allegiance, veterans’ families can navigate these benefits more easily and access the support they are entitled to during difficult times.

1. Overview of VA Burial Benefits for Spouses and Dependents

The VA provides burial benefits to honor veterans, their spouses, and eligible dependents. These benefits ensure that loved ones can be laid to rest in VA national cemeteries with dignity. The burial benefits available to spouses and dependents include interment in a national cemetery, a government-furnished headstone or marker, and other services designed to provide respectful and lasting memorials.

Key Benefits Include:

• Interment in a VA National Cemetery: Eligible spouses and dependents may be buried or inurned in a VA national cemetery alongside their veteran loved one, at no cost to the family.
• Government-Furnished Headstone or Marker: A headstone or marker is provided by the VA to honor the memory of the spouse or dependent, which will be placed at the gravesite or columbarium in the national cemetery.
• Perpetual Care: VA national cemeteries offer perpetual care, ensuring that the gravesite of a spouse or dependent is maintained in perpetuity.
• Burial in a Private Cemetery: While VA burial benefits are primarily associated with national cemeteries, certain benefits, such as the provision of a government-furnished headstone, are also available for eligible spouses and dependents buried in private cemeteries.

2. Eligibility for VA Burial Benefits

To receive VA burial benefits, the spouse or dependent must meet specific eligibility criteria. These benefits are generally available to spouses and minor children of veterans, and in some cases, adult dependents with disabilities.

Spouse Eligibility

• Current or Former Spouse: The spouse of a veteran is eligible for burial in a VA national cemetery, even if the veteran predeceases the spouse.
• Remarriage: A surviving spouse who remarries retains eligibility for VA burial benefits if they choose to be buried next to the veteran spouse, provided the veteran has been buried in a national cemetery.

Dependent Eligibility

• Minor Children: Unmarried children of a veteran who are under the age of 21 (or under the age of 23 if attending school full-time) are eligible for burial benefits in a national cemetery.
• Adult Children with Disabilities: Children of a veteran who have a permanent disability incurred before the age of 21 (or 23 if attending school) may also qualify for burial benefits.

It’s important to note that veterans themselves must meet specific eligibility criteria, including discharge under conditions other than dishonorable, to ensure that their spouses and dependents qualify for burial benefits.

3. VA National Cemeteries and Burial Options

There are over 150 VA national cemeteries across the United States where veterans, spouses, and dependents may be buried. Families have several burial options to consider, and the VA works to accommodate the wishes of the family while ensuring a dignified final resting place for loved ones.

Burial Options:

• In-Ground Burial: Eligible spouses and dependents may be buried in a VA national cemetery plot with a veteran.
• Inurnment: For cremated remains, eligible spouses and dependents can be inurned in a columbarium or in-ground cremation section of a national cemetery.
• Burial with the Veteran: Spouses and dependents are often buried in the same gravesite as the veteran, with their name and dates of birth and death inscribed on the veteran’s headstone at no additional cost.
• Private Cemetery Burials: While the VA does not cover burial costs in private cemeteries, certain benefits, such as a government-furnished headstone or marker, may still be available to honor the memory of the spouse or dependent.

4. How to Apply for VA Burial Benefits

The process of applying for VA burial benefits can seem overwhelming, especially during an emotional time. However, the VA aims to streamline the process to help families access the benefits they are entitled to. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to apply for VA burial benefits for spouses and dependents.

Step 1: Pre-Need Eligibility Determination

One of the best ways to simplify the process is to apply for pre-need eligibility. This allows veterans and their families to establish eligibility for burial in a VA national cemetery in advance of need, providing peace of mind and reducing the burden on loved ones.

• How to Apply: Veterans or family members can submit VA Form 40-10007 (Application for Pre-Need Determination of Eligibility for Burial) to the VA online, by mail, or in person at a VA regional office.
• What to Include: The application will require information about the veteran’s service, as well as the relationship between the veteran and the spouse or dependent.

Once approved, the VA will provide a pre-need eligibility determination letter, confirming eligibility for burial in a VA national cemetery.

Step 2: Arranging Burial at the Time of Need

At the time of need, families should contact the National Cemetery Scheduling Office to arrange burial services for the spouse or dependent. If pre-need eligibility has already been established, the process is quicker and easier. The family will need to provide the deceased’s name, date of birth, death certificate, and a copy of the pre-need eligibility determination letter (if applicable).

• National Cemetery Scheduling Office: Families can call 1-800-535-1117 to schedule a burial or inurnment. The scheduling office will work with the family to determine available dates and help arrange services.
• Documentation: If pre-need eligibility has not been established, the family will need to provide a copy of the veteran’s discharge papers (DD Form 214) and the marriage certificate or birth certificate to verify eligibility.

Step 3: Requesting a Headstone or Marker

For spouses and dependents buried in a private cemetery, families can apply for a government-furnished headstone or marker through the VA. This headstone honors the memory of the spouse or dependent, even if they are not buried in a national cemetery.

• How to Apply: Families can submit VA Form 40-1330 (Claim for Standard Government Headstone or Marker) to the VA to request a headstone or marker for private cemetery burials.

5. Additional VA Burial Benefits

In addition to burial and headstone services, the VA offers other benefits to help families honor their loved ones:

• Burial Flag: The VA provides an American flag to drape over the casket or accompany the urn of a spouse or dependent during the funeral. After the service, the flag is typically presented to the next of kin.
• Presidential Memorial Certificate: Families can request a Presidential Memorial Certificate, signed by the sitting president, to honor the service of their loved one.

6. How Warrior Allegiance Supports Veterans and Their Families

Warrior Allegiance is dedicated to helping veterans and their families access the benefits they are entitled to, including VA burial benefits for spouses and dependents. The organization provides:

• Guidance on Eligibility: Warrior Allegiance helps families understand the eligibility criteria for VA burial benefits and assists with the application process for pre-need eligibility determinations and headstone requests.
• Assistance with Arrangements: The organization offers support in arranging burial services at VA national cemeteries, helping families navigate the paperwork and scheduling process.
• Emotional Support: Warrior Allegiance provides families with emotional support during times of loss, connecting them with grief counseling and other resources.

Conclusion

The VA burial benefits for spouses and dependents of veterans are designed to honor and recognize their sacrifice and service. These benefits provide families with dignified burial options in national cemeteries, government-furnished headstones, and other memorial services to ensure their loved ones are remembered with respect.

By understanding the eligibility criteria, available services, and application process, veterans and their families can ensure that they receive the honors they deserve. With the assistance of Warrior Allegiance, families can navigate the VA burial benefits system and access the support they need during difficult times.