Veterans Benefits - Frequently Asked Questions

If you or a loved one served in the U.S. Armed Forces, you may be eligible for burial or cremation benefits through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). 

Qualified Veterans and eligible family members are entitled to burial in a VA National Cemetery at no cost, which includes a grave plot, opening and closing of the site, headstone or marker, and ongoing care. (Note: Private funeral director services and casket fees are separate and may require additional coverage.)

• Veterans: Served active duty with a discharge status other than dishonorable. https://www.cem.va.gov/burial_benefits/eligible.asp#:~:text=A%20determination%20of%20eligibility%20is%20made%20in,was%20discharged%20under%20conditions%20other%20than%20dishonorable.
• Reservists & National Guard: Members who die while on active duty, during authorized training, or who qualify for retirement pay.
• Eligible Family Members:
  
  • Spouses, widows, or widowers (even if they pass away before the Veteran). https://www.wehonorveterans.org/caring-for-veterans/benefits/burial-benefits/#:~:text=The%20person%20qualifying%20for%20burial%20benefits%20is,unmarried%20adult%20dependent%20child%20of%20a%20Veteran.
  • Minor dependent children. https://www.cem.va.gov/burial-memorial-benefits/
  • Unmarried adult children with qualifying physical or mental disabilities established before adulthood. https://www.cem.va.gov/burial-memorial-benefits/

Veterans residing in California have access to federal U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) burial benefits, state programs managed by the California Department of Veterans Affairs (CalVet), and regional support services.

• Cemeteries: Eligible veterans, spouses, and dependent children can receive a gravesite (for caskets or cremated remains in columbarium niches), opening/closing of the grave, a headstone or marker, and perpetual care in national or state veterans cemeteries. (Note: State cemeteries may charge a nominal interment fee for eligible spouses and dependents.)
• California Locations: California features several national and state veterans cemeteries, including locations in Riverside, Miramar, San Joaquin Valley, Sacramento Valley, Bakersfield, the California Central Coast Veterans Cemetery (Seaside), the Northern California Veterans Cemetery (Igo), and the Yountville facility.
• Financial Allowances: The VA provides cash allowances to help offset funeral, burial, and plot costs for eligible service-connected (up to $2,000) and non-service-connected deaths.
• Military Funeral Honors: Provided through the Department of Defense "Honoring Those Who Served" program, eligible veterans receive a formal honor guard presentation, including the folding and presentation of the U.S. burial flag and the playing of Taps.
• Memorial Tokens: Families receive an official U.S. burial flag and a Presidential Memorial Certificate signed by the sitting President.

• Pre-Need Eligibility Determination: Veterans can apply in advance to confirm eligibility for burial in a state or national cemetery using VA Form 40-10007 (Federal) or CalVet Form VSD-002 (State).
• Local Support: Families can get free assistance locating DD-214 discharge documents, filing allowance claims, or coordinating with veteran-friendly mortuaries through their local County Veterans Service Office (CVSO).

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) strongly encourages Veterans to plan ahead and share their wishes with family. According to official VA guidelines: 

“You should advise your family of your wishes and where your discharge papers are kept. These papers are very important in establishing your eligibility. Upon request, VA will make eligibility determinations for burial in a VA national cemetery in advance of need.” 

The VA further notes:

“…your family would contact a funeral home who will assist them with making burial arrangements at the national cemetery. You may wish to make pre-need arrangements with a funeral home.”

Establishing pre-need eligibility confirms your right to VA cemetery burial and removes guesswork and emotional stress from your loved ones during a difficult time.

At WiseChoice.me, we help you navigate pre-need arrangements, secure final expense planning, and connect with trusted partners so your family is fully prepared and financially protected.

A few years ago, a Korean War Veteran shared this with me:
“I told my wife that when I die, all she needs to do is call the National Cemetery. They’ll come and get me and take care of everything for you.”

He truly believed that the VA would cover all funeral-related expenses — from the casket and transportation, to cremation or embalming, and even death certificates. Sadly, this is one of the most common — and costly — misunderstandings among Veterans and their families.

Many assume the National Cemetery includes a funeral home or crematory, and that simply presenting a DD-214 is all that’s required. The reality is:

• Yes, if you qualify, burial space at a National Cemetery is free for you, your spouse, and eligible dependents.
• But, funeral arrangements outside the cemetery gates — such as transportation, mortuary services, preparation of the body, and final expenses — are your family's responsibility.

Here’s an easy way to remember it:

Inside the gate — your cost is free.
Outside the gate — you pay the fee.

Thankfully, we were able to help that Veteran before it was too late. If his family had waited and relied on this myth, they could have faced a heart-wrenching financial burden during an already difficult time.

Advance planning is the key to avoiding costly mistakes and ensuring your wishes are honored with dignity and respect.

A Presidential Memorial Certificate (PMC) is an engraved paper certificate, signed by the sitting President of the United States, to honor the memory of deceased Veterans who are eligible for burial in a national cemetery.

This distinguished certificate serves as a lasting expression of the nation's gratitude for a Veteran’s service and sacrifice.

Veterans’ families may request multiple copies, making it a meaningful keepsake for loved ones.