How the VA Burial Allowance Works (Non-VA Life)

1. VA does not pay funeral homes directly.
   Instead, whoever pays upfront (e.g., funeral home + plot costs) can submit a claim to the VA for reimbursement, up to the eligible allowance amounts DAV+5Funeral Basics+5VFW Foundation+5.

2. Allowance depends on circumstance & date of death:

   • Service-connected death: up to $2,000 Veterans Affairs+1Funeral Basics+1Veterans Affairs+7VA Benefits+7Veteran.com+7

   • Non-service-connected, died while under VA care: up to $796 (recent rate) KnowVA+15Veterans Affairs+15National Cremation |+15

   • Non-service‑connected, died outside VA care (older flat rate): $300 Veterans Affairs

3. Plot/Interment allowance may add separately (e.g., another $796) depending on when and where burial occurred