Veteran Resources

Plan a burial

Schedule a burial for a Veteran or family member

Get step-by-step guidance on how to request and apply for a burial in a VA national cemetery, or in a state or tribal government Veterans cemetery.

How do I schedule a burial for a Veteran or other family member?

If you have a pre-need decision letter that confirms eligibility

To start, you or the funeral director can call the National Cemetery Scheduling Office at 800-535-1117 (TTY: 711) to request a burial. We’re here Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. ET, and Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. ET.

Keep in mind that the pre-need decision letter doesn’t identify a specific cemetery or gravesite, since it’s not possible to reserve these in advance. In some cases, we may review your eligibility again at your time of death, as laws and circumstances may have changed since your pre-need application.

If you don’t have a pre-need decision letter

You’ll also need this information about the deceased:

• Name
• Gender
• Social Security number or Military Service number (Veteran ID)
• Date of birth
• Relationship to the service member or Veteran whose military service will be used to decide eligibility
• Marital status
• Date of death (and zip code and county at the time of death)

You’ll need this information about the next of kin (the closest living relative of the deceased):

• Name
• Relationship to the deceased
• Social Security number
• Phone number
• Address

You may also need more information in certain cases:

• If the person was married, you’ll also need the surviving spouse’s status as Veteran, service member, or family member.

• If the person has any children with disabilities, you’ll need the status and detailed information for any disabled children who may be buried in the future in a national cemetery.

• If the person’s spouse passed away previously and was buried in a VA national cemetery, you’ll need the full name of the spouse as well as the cemetery section and site number where they’re buried.

Decide on the burial details and gather all related information

You’ll need to tell us this information:

• The cemetery where you’d prefer the Veteran, spouse, or dependent family member be buried.
• Find a VA national cemetery
• Find a state Veterans cemetery
• The type of burial you’d like for the person (casket or cremation) and the size of the casket or cremation urn.
• The type of gravesite memorial you’d like. This may be a headstone, grave marker, niche cover, or medallion.
• Any religious emblem or optional inscription that you’d like on the headstone or marker.

For burial in a national cemetery, fax any discharge papers to the National Cemetery Scheduling Office at 866-900-6417. Or scan and email the papers to NCA.Scheduling@va.gov with the person’s name you’re requesting burial benefits for in the subject line.

Then call 800-535-1117 (TTY: 711) to confirm the burial application. We’re here Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. ET, and Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. ET. Be sure to have all the information ready that’s listed in steps 1 and 2.

What happens during a committal service for a Veteran or service member?

When you arrive at the cemetery, a cemetery representative will meet you and give you the deceased’s burial documents. They’ll lead you, and others who are gathered to honor the deceased, to a committal shelter. The committal service takes place at this location, not at the gravesite, and lasts for about 20 minutes. The burial happens after the committal service.

Note: Please be aware that viewing facilities aren’t available at national cemeteries, and the family must arrange for funeral services at a different location.

The family may choose to have readings by a friend, family member, or member of the clergy of their faith. They may also request to have military funeral honors performed at the committal shelter. Arrange for military funeral honors through your funeral director or get help from a Veterans Service Organization or from VA national cemetery staff.

Military funeral honors include:

• The playing of “Taps”
• A rifle detail
• Two uniformed service members who present the burial flag

Burial allowance amounts
https://www.va.gov/burials-memorials/veterans-burial-allowance/

Apply for a Veterans burial allowance and transportation benefits
https://www.va.gov/burials-memorials/veterans-burial-allowance/

Veterans headstones, markers, medallions, plaques, and urns
https://www.va.gov/burials-memorials/memorial-items/headstones-markers-medallions/

National Cemetery Administration: Veterans Military Discharge Documents - National Cemetery Administration

National Cemetery Checklist
https://www.cem.va.gov/pdf/NCA_NCSO_BeforeYouCallChecklist.pdf

Have you thought about:

San Antonio Public Library (SAPL) is always trying to find ways to give back to the community. Did you know the library has access to legal documents that you can create and save to your home computer? With the use of a free library card you will have access to SAPL databases, it just takes five minutes! Visit the library near you.

Wills

Wills are a great way to ensure family members know exactly who will receive your personal items in the event of your death (i.e. money, house, car, military items, etc.) 

Power of Attorneys (Medical, finances, Home)

POA are a legal binding contract between you and the individual you are empowering. The person who holds this document (many types) will be empowered for a particular subject (i.e. general, medical, financial, durable, springing, limited)  

Is your bank account information a joint account between you and a loved one? Or, have you added your loved ones name on the bank account file to ensure he/she has access to your account in the event of death?

Have a trusted loved one be one file to ensure money can be accessed per your wishes. 

Do you have a life insurance policy and does a loved one know where to access the account information (including name of vendor) to call?

Type up and have names, numbers, and account info of life insurance vendor and place in one area to ensure it could be found in the event of your death.

If the Veteran was receiving care at a VA or federal health facility at the time of their death, you can submit a statement in support of your claim 
VA Form 21-4138:
https://www.vba.va.gov/pubs/forms/VBA-21-4138-ARE.pdf

Mail In application for burial benefits
https://www.va.gov/find-forms/about-form-21p-530ez/

The following forms you must Complete if you want to give us permission to request your records from a non-VA source to support your benefit claim. You can also use this form to authorize the release of records on behalf of a Veteran you support.
Authorization to Disclose Information to the Department of Veterans Affairs 

Online application: Authorize the release of non-VA medical information to VA
Authorization to disclose information to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
(VA Forms 21-4142 and 21-4142a)
https://www.va.gov/supporting-forms-for-claims/release-information-to-va-form-21-4142/introduction

Mail In: (VA Form 21-4142)
https://www.va.gov/find-forms/about-form-21-4142/
General Release for Medical Provider Information to the Department of Veterans Affairs
Mail In: (VA Form 21-4142a)
https://www.va.gov/find-forms/about-form-21-4142a/

Have you ever visited a cemetery and seen coins on top of the gravestone(s)? If so, never remove the coin(s) for each coin (penny, nickel, dime, quarter) has a meaning and a sign of respect and remembrance.