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Death of a Veteran or Spouse

Death of a Veteran

If the Veteran was receiving benefits, notify the VA immediately by calling 1-800-827-1000.  They will recoup all overpayments that result from failure to notify.  

Burial Benefits Veteran and Spouse

Surviving Spouse Benefits

Disabled Veteran Property Tax Exemption

Dependent Children Benefits

Dependent Parent Benefits

Burial Benefits

Service-related death Burial Allowance: Flat-rate monetary benefit designed to help cover a Veteran's burial and funeral costs.  

  • Eligibility:
    • Meets the federal definition of Veteran, and
    • Discharge other than dishonorable, and
    • Died as the result of a service-connected disability, or
    • Receiving, or eligible to receive, VA compensation or pension at time of death, or
    • Died while hospitalized by VA or while receiving care under VA contract, or while traveling to/from such care, or
    • Died with active compensation or pension claim that would have been granted
    • Died on or after Oct 9, 1996, while a patient at a VA-approved state nursing home.
  • Claimant: Must have paid for the Veteran's burial and/or funeral and has not been reimbursed  
    • Surviving Spouse
    • Children, regardless of age
    • Parents
    • Survivor of a legal union with the Veteran.  Must have been formalized under state law and continued until the Veteran's death.  
  • Documentation Required
    • Death Certificate
    • Proof of payment from funeral home or cemetery including name of Veteran, nature/cost of services/merchanidse, all credits and any unpaid balance.

Nonservice-Related Death Burial Allowance: Flat-rate monetary benefit designed to help cover a Veteran's burial and funeral costs. 

  • Eligibility:
    • Meets the federal definition of Veteran, and
    • Discharge other than dishonorable
  • Claimant: 
    • Anyone who paid for the Veteran's burial or funeral, and
    • Has not been reimbursed  
  • Documentation Required
    • DD 214 (for emergency requests, apply online at the National Archives)
    • Death Certificate
    • Proof of payment from funeral home or cemetery including name of Veteran, nature/cost of services/merchanidse, all credits and any unpaid balance.

Burial in a state cemetery

 

Death of a Spouse

Burial in a state cemetery