When a Veteran or their spouse passes away, families often need to make important arrangements quickly. The last thing they should have to worry about is navigating burial benefits on their own.
Knowing what benefits may be available and the steps to access them can help make that process easier.
The National Cemetery Administration (NCA) helps families navigate both the burial and memorial benefits Veterans have earned and the process for requesting them.
Helping Families Navigate Benefits and Next Steps
Many Veterans have earned burial benefits they may not even know about, including a place in a VA national cemetery or VA grant-funded state, territorial or tribal Veterans cemetery, a headstone or marker, a burial flag, and perpetual gravesite care, all at no cost.
This video explains:
* Burial benefits available at VA national cemeteries
* The steps families take to plan and schedule a burial at a VA national cemetery
* How VA and funeral directors will help guide families through the process
Taking a few minutes to watch the video and sharing it with your family can help ensure they understand the benefits available and the steps to take when the time comes.
Resources for Veterans and Families
We’ve added new resources at https://www.cem.va.gov/veterans-and-families/?utm_campaign=plan_today_Time_of_needv&utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery to help you and your family learn about available burial and memorial benefits and the steps involved in planning and scheduling a burial:
* *New flyer:*_ VLM: Families Honoring Veterans https://www.cem.va.gov/docs/wcag/outreach/Flyer-VLM-for-Families.pdf?utm_campaign=plan_today_Time_of_needv&utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery
* *New information sheet:* _What Veteran Families Can Expect at a VA National Cemetery https://www.cem.va.gov/docs/wcag/outreach/Infosheet-What-Veteran-Families-Can-Expect.pdf?utm_campaign=plan_today_Time_of_needv&utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery
* *Flyer:* _Planning and Scheduling a Burial at a VA National Cemetery https://www.cem.va.gov/docs/wcag/outreach/Infosheet-What-Veteran-Families-Can-Expect.pdf?utm_campaign=plan_today_Time_of_needv&utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery
* *Guide:* _A Guide to Your VA Burial and Memorial Benefits https://www.cem.va.gov/docs/wcag/outreach/Infosheet-Guide-to-VA-Burial-and-Memorial-Benefits.pdf?utm_campaign=plan_today_Time_of_needv&utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery
* *Information sheet:* _Plan with Confidence: Understanding the Costs of Burial
https://www.cem.va.gov/docs/wcag/outreach/Infosheet-Burial-Costs.pdf?utm_campaign=plan_today_Time_of_needv&utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery
Pre-need application
Confirm Eligibility in Advance
If you or your spouse wishes to be buried in a VA national cemetery, apply now to see if you’re eligible. The online pre-need application takes less than *10 minutes to complete. *