Most veteran families think the VA covers the whole funeral. It doesn’t. Not even close, in most cases. The VA covers meaningful pieces – a gravesite in a national cemetery, opening and closing of the grave, a government headstone, military honors, and a cash allowance that runs $300 to $2,004 depending on how the veteran passed. The funeral home bill is still the family’s problem, and it’s a bigger bill than most people expect. That’s the gap burial insurance for veterans exists to fill.
Last updated: July 13, 2026 by Ryan Vallett
I’ve got family in uniform. My brother’s in the Guard. Two nieces — one Guard, one Navy. My nephew and several cousins too. So when I say we help veteran families understand what the VA actually covers, that’s not marketing copy.
This guide is for two readers: the veteran comparing burial coverage now, and the adult son or daughter trying to figure out what mom or dad’s service actually means for final expenses. The rules don’t change based on who’s shopping. Understanding the gap between VA benefits and real funeral costs is what makes the rest of the decision clear.
Burial insurance is also called final expense insurance. Both terms refer to a small whole life policy – usually $5,000 to $25,000 in coverage – designed to help with funeral costs, medical bills, and other expenses that hit within weeks of a passing. For veterans, the point isn’t to duplicate what the VA does. It’s to cover the parts the VA doesn’t.
According to the VA’s VetPop2023 population model, millions of U.S. veterans are still living, and the vast majority are in the age bands where burial planning becomes a practical concern rather than an abstract one. What follows is a plain-English walk through what the VA actually pays in 2026, what it doesn’t cover, and how burial insurance fits alongside it.
Quick Answer: Yes, veterans can get burial insurance, and many veteran families still consider it even if they qualify for VA burial benefits. For eligible non-service-connected deaths, VA burial and plot allowances can total up to $2,004 in certain situations — but many families receive less depending on where the veteran passed and where the burial takes place. Service-connected deaths on or after September 11, 2001 qualify for up to $2,000 in burial allowance, plus separate plot and transportation reimbursement. Median funeral cost per the 2023 NFDA study is $8,300, which leaves most families paying $5,000 to $6,000 out of pocket. A small whole life burial policy, after an approved claim, generally pays the named beneficiary directly, often faster than families expect, and works alongside VA benefits rather than replacing them.
Key takeaways
- The VA burial allowance for a non-service-connected death runs up to $2,004 total ($1,002 burial + $1,002 plot) when the veteran was under VA-contracted care at the time of death, per VA rates effective October 1, 2025. Non-hospitalized non-service-connected deaths get a $300 burial allowance plus up to $1,002 plot allowance (10/1/2025 rate), when burial location qualifies.
- National cemetery burial is free – plot, opening and closing, perpetual care, and a government headstone. Military honors (2-person team, Taps, flag folding) are also free. Funeral home services, embalming, casket, and cremation are not covered.
- The 2023 NFDA study puts a typical funeral with viewing and burial at about $8,300. After VA benefits, most veteran families still pay $5,000 to $6,000 out of pocket. That’s the gap a small burial policy is built to cover.
- Presumptive-condition claims tied to Agent Orange, PACT Act burn pit exposure, PTSD, or TBI affect underwriting, but don’t automatically block day-one burial coverage. The carrier looks at the current diagnosis, treatment history, medications, stability, and any recent hospitalizations.
- A small whole life burial policy generally pays the beneficiary directly after an approved claim – separate from any VA claim process.
Helping a veteran parent figure this out? Adult children shopping on behalf of a veteran parent are a big share of our calls. Call (314) 876-0334 and we’ll walk through what the VA covers for your parent’s service history and where a small policy fits.
What VA Burial Benefits Cover — and What Families Still Pay
Here’s the split at a glance. The details below explain each row and where the real gaps land for most families.
| Expense | VA covers? | Family may still pay? |
|---|---|---|
| National cemetery plot | Yes | Usually no |
| Opening and closing the grave (national cemetery) | Yes | Usually no |
| Perpetual care (national cemetery) | Yes | Usually no |
| Government headstone, marker, or medallion | Yes | Upgrades or private markers may cost extra |
| Military funeral honors | Yes | Usually no |
| Presidential Memorial Certificate | Yes | Usually no |
| Burial flag | Yes | Usually no |
| Funeral home basic services | No | Yes |
| Embalming, cosmetics, viewing | No | Yes |
| Casket or urn | No | Yes |
| Transportation to a private cemetery | No | Yes |
| Private cemetery plot, opening/closing, perpetual care | Partial allowance may apply | Yes |
| Obituary, flowers, reception, printed programs | No | Yes |
Coverage depends on eligibility category, burial location, and current VA rate schedules. See the sections below for specifics.
In this guide
- What VA burial benefits actually cover in 2026
- What VA covers vs. what families still pay (quick table)
- What funeral costs does the VA NOT cover in 2026?
- The real gap between VA benefits and funeral costs
- What burial insurance for veterans actually does
- Underwriting for veterans — what service history actually affects
- What burial insurance for veterans costs in 2026
- What to do before you apply
- Common questions from veteran families
What VA Burial Benefits Actually Cover in 2026
Veterans burial benefits come from two separate parts of the VA – the Veterans Benefits Administration (which pays the cash burial allowance) and the National Cemetery Administration (which handles cemetery burial and honors). Both are worth using. Neither is designed to replace a full funeral.
The Cash Burial Allowance
The VA pays a burial allowance to the person or entity that covers a veteran’s funeral costs. The amount depends on whether the death was service-connected and whether the veteran was under VA care at the time of death. Rates effective October 1, 2025, per the VA burial allowance page:
- Non-service-connected death, VA-hospitalized: The veteran was in a VA facility or under VA-contracted care at the time of death, or was traveling for VA-authorized care. This tier pays $1,002 burial allowance plus $1,002 plot allowance – $2,004 total.
- Non-service-connected death, not VA-hospitalized: The most common tier. Pays a $300 burial allowance and a plot allowance based on historical rates.
- Service-connected death (on or after 9/11/2001): $2,000 burial allowance. No time limit to file. A lower $1,500 burial allowance applies to service-connected deaths that occurred before September 11, 2001.
- Headstone or marker allowance: $441 for private-cemetery burial when the veteran died on or after October 1, 2025, and the family provides a privately purchased marker.
- Transportation reimbursement: Available when the veteran’s remains are transported to a national cemetery for burial, in specified circumstances.
Two filing rules matter. For service-connected deaths, there’s no time limit to file the claim. For non-service-connected deaths, families generally have two years from the date of burial to file the burial allowance claim, with exceptions for VA-facility deaths and for plot and transportation claims.
Free Benefits Through the National Cemetery Administration
Separate from the cash allowance, veterans are entitled to burial in any VA national cemetery with available space. This part of the benefit is genuinely free. Per the National Cemetery Administration, veterans get:
- A gravesite in any national cemetery with available space
- Opening and closing of the grave
- Perpetual care of the gravesite
- A government headstone, marker, or medallion
- A Presidential Memorial Certificate
- A U.S. burial flag
- Military funeral honors – a two-person uniformed team, the playing of Taps, and the folding and presentation of the burial flag
Cremated remains are treated identically to casketed remains. A spouse and dependent children can be buried in the same national cemetery grave with the veteran, at no cost, with names added to the veteran’s headstone – even if they predecease the veteran.
That’s real benefit. If it fits your family’s plans, use it. What it isn’t is a complete funeral. The plot is free. Getting the veteran to the plot, prepared for burial, with a service that friends and family attend – that costs money the VA doesn’t pay.
What Funeral Costs Does the VA NOT Cover in 2026?
This is the part most veteran families discover at the funeral home, not before. VA burial benefits are a supplement, not a full package. Everything on this list is out-of-pocket for the family unless a burial policy or savings covers it:
- Funeral home services – the basic services fee, embalming, refrigeration, viewing setup, cosmetics, and staff time. This alone can run $2,500 to $4,500 depending on the region.
- The casket – selection varies from a basic wood or metal casket around $1,000 to hardwoods and metals well over $5,000. National cemetery burial does not require an expensive casket, but the family still buys one.
- Cremation services from a private crematorium if that’s the family’s choice. Direct cremation typically runs $1,000 to $3,000.
- Private cemetery burial – if the family prefers a private cemetery near home rather than a national cemetery, the plot, opening and closing, perpetual care, and vault or grave liner are all family costs. A private cemetery plot runs $1,000 to $4,000 in most parts of the country, plus opening and closing fees.
- Transportation to a private cemetery. The VA only reimburses transportation to a national cemetery in specified circumstances.
- Obituary costs – newspaper and online obituaries typically run $200 to $600.
- The wake or reception – room rental, catering, flowers.
- Memorial cards, printed programs, thank-you cards, and flowers – small items that add up quickly.
- Death certificates – charged per copy by the state, usually $10 to $25 each. Families typically need 10 to 15 copies to close accounts and settle affairs.
Everything on that list is real money that hits within weeks of the death, on top of whatever grief and coordination the family is trying to handle. The VA covers the cemetery and the honors. The family covers the funeral.
The Real Gap Between VA Benefits and Actual Funeral Costs
Per the National Funeral Directors Association’s most recent (2023) General Price List Study, a funeral with viewing and burial has a national median cost of about $8,300. NFDA has not released a newer figure as of mid-2026, and funeral costs have kept climbing, so the real number today is likely higher for most regions.
Run the math for a typical veteran family. Assume the best-case non-service-connected scenario – the veteran was hospitalized by the VA at the time of death, so the family qualifies for the full $2,004 burial allowance. Assume the family also qualifies for the $441 headstone allowance (private-cemetery burial with a privately purchased marker). Total VA benefits: about $2,445.
Best-case non-service-connected VA math: $8,300 typical funeral cost – $2,445 in VA benefits = about $5,855 out of pocket for the family.
That’s the best case for a non-service-connected death. The more common case is a veteran who passed at home or in a non-VA facility. That family gets a $300 burial allowance plus a plot allowance of up to $1,002 based on burial location, for a maximum of about $1,302 in the non-hospitalized scenario. Non-VA burial locations may not qualify for the plot allowance at all. Against an $8,300 funeral, the family covers $7,000 or more.
Choosing national cemetery burial improves the math but doesn’t close the gap. Cemetery plot, opening and closing, perpetual care, and the government marker are all free. But funeral home services – the part that gets the veteran to the cemetery, cared for, prepared, and honored with a viewing – still run $3,000 to $6,000 in most parts of the country.
Service-connected deaths are handled more generously. The $2,000 flat burial allowance for a service-connected death (on or after 9/11/2001) plus national cemetery burial can cover most of a modest funeral. Even here, families with viewings, additional flowers, obituaries, and out-of-town family travel commonly spend $2,000 to $4,000 on top of the benefits.
The math is uncomfortable but real. Most veteran families cover the majority of funeral costs themselves.
Two Scenarios: Same Rules, Different Family Bills
The same VA benefit rules produce very different family outcomes depending on where the burial happens.
Scenario 1: National Cemetery Burial
A 72-year-old Vietnam-era veteran chooses burial at a VA national cemetery. His family holds a viewing at a local funeral home and a small reception afterward.
VA covers: gravesite, opening and closing, perpetual care, government headstone, military honors, burial flag, Presidential Memorial Certificate — roughly $6,000–$8,000 in equivalent services value.
Family still pays: viewing, embalming, casket, transportation to the cemetery, obituary, reception — typically $4,000–$6,000 depending on selections.
Scenario 2: Private Cemetery Burial
An 80-year-old peacetime veteran chooses burial at a family plot in a private cemetery. His death was not service-connected, and he was not under VA care at the time.
VA covers: $300 burial allowance + up to $1,002 plot allowance (roughly $1,300 total in cash), plus government headstone or marker if requested, burial flag, military honors, and Presidential Memorial Certificate.
Family still pays: full funeral home costs plus full private cemetery costs (plot, opening and closing, monument foundation, perpetual care) plus obituary and reception — typically $8,000–$12,000 or more.
Both scenarios play by the same VA rulebook. The location choice moves thousands of dollars.
What Burial Insurance for Veterans Actually Does
Burial insurance is a small whole life policy – most commonly $5,000, $10,000, $15,000, $20,000, or $25,000 – designed to pay the beneficiary a lump sum after an approved claim, no strings on how the money is used. For covered deaths, subject to policy terms, exclusions, and the standard 2-year contestability period. That last part matters. VA burial benefits reimburse specific costs after filing paperwork. Burial insurance pays a lump sum directly to whoever the veteran named on the policy.
A few things that make burial insurance different from other kinds of life insurance:
- Whole life, not term. Once the policy is issued, it stays in force for life as long as premiums are paid. The premium is locked in at the age the veteran applies. Whole life doesn’t expire in the 70s or 80s the way term insurance does.
- Simplified issue, not fully underwritten. No medical exam, no blood draw. A short list of health questions plus a prescription database check. Decisions come back in minutes, not weeks.
- Fixed death benefit. The face amount doesn’t decrease with age. A $15,000 policy pays $15,000 whether the veteran passes at 68 or 95.
- Cash paid to the beneficiary, not the funeral home. The family decides how to use the money – funeral costs, the private cemetery plot, medical bills, travel for out-of-town family, unpaid debts.
For veterans, burial insurance is meant to work alongside VA benefits, not instead of them. Use the national cemetery burial. Claim the burial allowance. Accept the honors. And have a small policy in place to cover the funeral home bill and the ten smaller expenses that always add up.
None of this replaces SGLI, VGLI, or VALife. SGLI covers active service members. VGLI continues SGLI after separation, but premiums adjust by age and can get expensive by the 60s. VALife is VA’s guaranteed-acceptance whole life option for veterans with service-connected disabilities — up to $40,000 in coverage, with full benefits starting after a 2-year waiting period. S-DVI still exists for veterans already enrolled, but VA is transitioning that program into VALife. Many veteran families still compare a private burial policy because they want possible day-one coverage, a different benefit amount, or underwriting that fits the health profile they have today.
Underwriting for Veterans — What Service History Actually Affects
Service history matters for two reasons in burial insurance underwriting. First, some presumptive conditions tied to service exposure show up in the health questions or the prescription database check. Second, PTSD and TBI diagnoses are common enough among post-9/11 veterans that carriers have specific ways of handling them.
The short version: presumptive conditions and service-connected diagnoses affect underwriting but don’t automatically disqualify a veteran from day-one coverage. Some carriers in RyCo’s network may offer day-one options for veterans with treated Agent Orange conditions, PACT Act conditions, controlled PTSD, or treated TBI — depending on the full health history, medications, and time since diagnosis. What matters more than the diagnosis is whether the condition is stable and treatment is consistent.
Agent Orange Presumptive Conditions
Vietnam-era veterans who served in areas of presumed Agent Orange exposure are covered by the VA’s presumptive conditions list – certain cancers, ischemic heart disease, Parkinson’s disease, type 2 diabetes, and others. From a burial insurance underwriting standpoint, each of these conditions is evaluated on its own health merits. Type 2 diabetes controlled with oral medication typically qualifies for day-one level coverage. Treated prostate cancer more than five years out qualifies for day-one level coverage with most specialty carriers. The Agent Orange service connection doesn’t change the underwriting – the current health status does.
PACT Act (Burn Pit) Presumptive Conditions
Post-9/11 veterans exposed to burn pits or other airborne hazards may have presumptive service connection for respiratory conditions, cancers, and other diagnoses under the PACT Act. The same principle applies for burial insurance. A PACT Act veteran with controlled asthma or COPD is underwritten based on how the condition is currently managed. The same principle applies to COPD and other respiratory conditions common in veterans — see our burial insurance with COPD guide for the full underwriting breakdown. A cancer treated years ago is underwritten based on time since treatment and current status. Our burial insurance for cancer survivors guide covers that piece in detail.
PTSD
PTSD is common among veterans and doesn’t disqualify from day-one burial coverage in most cases. What underwriters look at is whether the condition is being managed – therapy, medication if prescribed, and no recent hospitalizations for psychiatric reasons. Controlled PTSD with consistent treatment often has day-one options available, depending on the full profile and the carrier. Recent psychiatric hospitalizations within the last 12 to 24 months may route the applicant into graded coverage with some carriers, but day-one options may still exist through specialty final-expense carriers.
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
TBI history is handled similarly. Severity, time since injury, and current cognitive status all matter. Mild TBI (concussion) with no lasting effects is usually a non-issue for underwriting. More severe TBI is looked at case by case, and independent broker access to multiple carriers matters more here because underwriting boxes vary widely.
The table below illustrates how underwriters typically respond to common veteran health scenarios, plus what’s often available through the right specialty carrier. Actual outcomes vary by carrier, state, and the full details of an application. One veteran, three carriers, three tiers. That doesn’t mean approval is guaranteed — it means carrier selection can materially change the outcome. That’s why shopping matters.
| Veteran’s Situation | Most Common Tier | Best Case With the Right Carrier |
|---|---|---|
| Vietnam-era veteran, type 2 diabetes controlled with oral medication, no complications | Level Benefit | Level benefit at competitive rates |
| Vietnam veteran with treated prostate cancer 5+ years ago, no recurrence | Level Benefit | Level benefit at competitive rates |
| Vietnam veteran with ischemic heart disease, controlled, no cardiac event in 2+ years | Level Benefit | Level benefit through specialty carriers |
| Post-9/11 veteran with PACT Act asthma, well-controlled with inhaler | Level Benefit | Level benefit at standard-plus rates |
| Veteran with controlled PTSD, on maintenance medication, no recent hospitalization | Level Benefit | Level benefit at competitive rates |
| Veteran with mild TBI history, no lasting cognitive effects | Level Benefit | Often treated as a non-issue for underwriting |
| Veteran with PTSD plus recent psychiatric hospitalization (last 12 months) | Graded | Level may be possible through specialty carriers |
| Veteran with moderate to severe TBI, ongoing cognitive symptoms | Graded or Guaranteed Issue | Graded through specialty carriers depending on details |
| Veteran in active cancer treatment (any type) | Guaranteed Issue | Guaranteed Issue is the standard path during active treatment |
| Veteran with multiple stacked conditions (diabetes + heart disease + kidney disease) | Graded or Guaranteed Issue | Level possible when each condition is well-controlled and stable |
Final underwriting decisions vary by carrier, state, and the full application details. Tier examples above are illustrative and not a coverage guarantee.
Why an independent broker matters for veterans: A captive agent works with one carrier and gets that carrier’s answer. RyCo shops the application across 30+ carriers and lets the best offer win. For veterans with treated presumptive conditions, PTSD, or complex service-related health files, comparing multiple carriers can be the difference between a graded offer, guaranteed issue, or possible day-one level coverage. Same veteran, very different outcomes depending on carrier choice.
What Burial Insurance for Veterans Costs in 2026
Being a veteran by itself doesn’t change burial insurance pricing. What matters is age, sex, tobacco use, coverage amount, and the current health picture. Veterans with clean or stable health files typically pay the same as any other applicant with the same profile. Veterans with actively managed presumptive conditions may pay 10 to 25 percent more depending on which conditions are involved and how they’re being handled.
The tables below show typical monthly premium ranges for a non-smoking veteran with a stable health file. All ranges assume level-benefit (day-one) coverage. Graded and guaranteed-issue plans cost more at the same age. Smokers and tobacco users typically pay 50 to 80 percent more.
Typical Monthly Premium – $15,000 Level-Benefit Policy
| Age Band | Typical Monthly Range (Non-Smoker) |
|---|---|
| 50 to 59 | $45 to $75/mo |
| 60 to 69 | $65 to $115/mo |
| 70 to 79 | $115 to $195/mo |
| 80+ | $205 to $325/mo |
Illustrative 2026 monthly premium ranges based on RyCo’s carrier network. Actual quotes vary by state, underwriting profile, and product selection.
Typical Monthly Premium – $25,000 Level-Benefit Policy
| Age Band | Typical Monthly Range (Non-Smoker) |
|---|---|
| 50 to 59 | $70 to $120/mo |
| 60 to 69 | $105 to $185/mo |
| 70 to 79 | $185 to $315/mo |
| 80+ | $335 to $530/mo |
Illustrative 2026 monthly premium ranges based on RyCo’s carrier network. Actual quotes vary by state, underwriting profile, and product selection.
Typical Monthly Premium – $50,000 Level-Benefit Policy
| Age Band | Typical Monthly Range (Non-Smoker) |
|---|---|
| 50 to 59 | $135 to $230/mo |
| 60 to 69 | $210 to $360/mo |
| 70 to 79 | $365 to $625/mo |
| 80+ | Case-by-case; face amounts often capped at this age |
Illustrative 2026 monthly premium ranges based on RyCo’s carrier network. Actual quotes vary by state, underwriting profile, and product selection.
Examples are educational ranges only, not guaranteed quotes. Rate ranges reflect current carrier quote examples available to RyCo as of July 2026 for non-smoking applicants with stable health files. Actual rates vary by state, sex, tobacco use, health details, carrier, and benefit type. Female applicants generally pay less than males at the same age. Smokers and tobacco users typically pay 50 to 80 percent more than non-smokers. Graded and guaranteed-issue plans cost more than level-benefit at the same age.
How much coverage a veteran family actually needs depends on plans for burial (national cemetery vs private), the veteran’s service-connection status (which affects the VA allowance tier), and whether the family wants coverage beyond funeral costs – final medical bills, small debts, or a modest legacy for grandkids. For a family planning national cemetery burial with a modest service, $10,000 to $15,000 usually handles the gap. For a family planning private-cemetery burial with a full traditional service, $20,000 to $25,000 is more common.
See what VA benefits and burial insurance actually mean for your family.
We’ll walk through the VA gap for the veteran’s service history and shop coverage across 30+ carriers.
Or call us directly: (314) 876-0334
What to Do Before You Apply
The quote conversation is faster and more accurate when the veteran (or the family member helping) has this pulled together in advance. None of it needs to be typed up before the call – most families gather it on the phone while we talk. Having it ready just makes the call shorter and the quote sharper.
- DD214 – or at minimum the veteran’s branch, dates of service, and character of discharge. Needed for VA benefit eligibility questions, not for the burial policy itself.
- Current medications – name, dose, and what the medication is for. This is what shows up on the prescription database check, and it drives the underwriting response.
- Full list of health conditions – not just the presumptive ones. Include diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, cancer history, COPD or asthma, kidney or liver conditions, PTSD, TBI, and anything currently being treated.
- Current VA benefits inventory – VA healthcare enrollment, disability rating if service-connected, existing VGLI or S-DVI coverage, and any VA pension.
- Family beneficiary information – spouse’s or child’s full name, date of birth, and Social Security number. The beneficiary receives the burial policy payout directly.
- Preferred cemetery plans – national cemetery, private cemetery, or cremation. This affects how much coverage the family actually needs.
- Tobacco use status – current, former, or never. Former smokers who quit 12+ months ago often qualify for non-smoker rates.
- Desired coverage amount – common amounts are $10,000, $15,000, $20,000, or $25,000. Not sure how much you need? Estimate funeral and burial costs in your state to get a working number.
- Date of birth and state of residence – both affect underwriting and pricing.
Honest answers on the health questions generally produce the best underwriting outcome. Carriers verify prescriptions through a database check during underwriting and may pull medical records at claim time. Leaving out a diagnosis or a medication can cause a denial – or worse, a rescinded policy at claim time when the family needs the payout. Disclose everything upfront. That’s how a broker routes the case to the carrier that handles the full picture best.
Common Questions from Veteran Families
Does the VA pay for a veteran’s funeral?
Not the full funeral. The VA pays a burial allowance ranging from $300 to $2,004 for non-service-connected deaths depending on where the veteran passed, and $2,000 for service-connected deaths on or after 9/11/2001. National cemetery burial with a government headstone and military honors is separately free. But the funeral home services, casket, embalming, and any private cemetery costs are the family’s responsibility.
How much does the VA pay for burial in 2026?
Per rates effective October 1, 2025, non-service-connected deaths where the veteran was under VA-contracted care get a $1,002 burial allowance plus a $1,002 plot allowance for a $2,004 total. Non-service-connected deaths not under VA care get a $300 burial allowance plus a plot allowance of up to $1,002 based on burial location. Service-connected deaths on or after 9/11/2001 get $2,000; deaths before 9/11/2001 receive $1,500. A separate $441 headstone or marker allowance applies for private-cemetery burials with a privately purchased marker.
Is burial in a national cemetery really free for veterans?
Yes. Any veteran with an eligible discharge can be buried in a VA national cemetery with available space at no cost to the family. The plot, opening and closing, perpetual care, government headstone or marker, Presidential Memorial Certificate, burial flag, and military funeral honors are all provided at no cost. What isn’t covered is the funeral home portion – preparation, casket, viewing, and services.
Can a veteran’s spouse be buried in a national cemetery too?
Yes. A veteran’s spouse and dependent children can be buried in the same national cemetery grave, with the spouse’s name added to the veteran’s headstone, at no cost. This applies even if the spouse or dependent predeceases the veteran. Eligible dependents include minor children and, in specified circumstances, unmarried adult children with disabilities.
How long does the family have to file a VA burial claim?
Two years from the date of burial for non-service-connected deaths, with exceptions for VA-facility deaths and for plot and transportation claims (which are treated separately). Service-connected death claims have no time limit. Filing sooner is always better – documentation is easier to gather and the paperwork moves faster.
Does VGLI cover burial costs?
VGLI (Veterans’ Group Life Insurance) is term life insurance that continues after separation from active duty. It pays a death benefit to the beneficiary that can be used for burial costs, but it’s designed as income replacement, not final-expense coverage. VGLI premiums rise sharply after age 60 and the policy has no cash value. Many veterans layer a small whole life burial policy underneath VGLI so the funeral costs are handled by a locked-in premium that doesn’t climb with age.
Does VALife replace burial insurance for veterans?
VALife may be a strong option for eligible veterans with service-connected disabilities because it offers guaranteed-acceptance whole life coverage through VA. But full VALife coverage starts after a 2-year waiting period, and coverage caps at $40,000. Some veterans still compare private burial insurance because they want possible day-one coverage, different underwriting options, or coverage amounts sized to their family’s actual funeral-cost gap. VALife and private burial insurance may also work alongside each other — one covers longer-term needs, the other can bridge the waiting period or the coverage-amount gap.
Can veterans with PTSD get burial insurance?
Yes. Controlled PTSD with consistent treatment often has day-one options available, depending on the full profile and the carrier. Recent psychiatric hospitalizations within the last 12 to 24 months may route the applicant to graded coverage with some carriers, but level options may still exist through specialty carriers. Having a PTSD service connection doesn’t automatically disqualify anyone from day-one coverage.
Does an Agent Orange or PACT Act service connection affect burial insurance underwriting?
Not directly. Underwriters look at current health conditions, not service-connection status. A Vietnam veteran with a controlled Agent Orange presumptive condition is underwritten based on how that condition is currently managed. A post-9/11 veteran with a PACT Act condition is treated the same way. Independent broker access to multiple carriers matters here because underwriting responses vary by carrier.
Can I buy burial insurance for a veteran parent?
Yes. Adult children can help a veteran parent apply and often serve as the beneficiary or manage the process on the parent’s behalf. The veteran parent typically answers the medical questions, signs the application, and is the policy owner. Adult children shopping on behalf of a veteran parent are a big share of our calls at RyCo.
Should I name my beneficiary as a person or list the funeral home?
Naming a specific person – typically a spouse, adult child, or trusted family member – is almost always the right call. The beneficiary receives the funds directly and decides how to use them. Listing a funeral home as the beneficiary locks the payout to that specific vendor and can create problems if plans change. Naming a person keeps the family in control of the money and the arrangements.
Still have questions about VA benefits and burial insurance?
Talk to a licensed RyCo broker: (314) 876-0334
Take the Next Step
For veterans comparing coverage — or the adult child of a veteran trying to figure out what the VA actually covers — the fastest way to see real numbers is to get a personalized quote. We’ll review the health picture, walk through the VA gap for the veteran’s specific service history, and shop the coverage across 30+ carriers. Independent broker, no obligation, no call center.
Want to see how burial insurance works generally? Start with our main burial insurance guide for the basics. If diabetes, heart disease, cancer history, or COPD are also part of the veteran’s health picture, our burial insurance with diabetes, burial insurance with heart disease, and burial insurance for cancer survivors guides cover carrier-specific differences for those conditions. Broader questions live on our FAQs page.
Sources
- VA – Veterans Burial Allowance (rates effective October 1, 2025)
- VA National Cemetery Administration – Burial and Memorial Benefits
- VA – Veteran Population Model (VetPop2023)
- National Funeral Directors Association – 2023 General Price List Study (most recent as of July 2026)
- VA.gov — Veterans Affairs Life Insurance (VALife)
- Underwriting tier descriptions reflect generalized industry practice for simplified-issue burial insurance and may vary by specific carrier and product.
About the Author
Ryan Vallett, Licensed Insurance Broker
Ryan is a licensed insurance broker and co-founder of RyCo Life Solutions, an independent brokerage licensed in 48 states (excluding AK, HI, and NY). RyCo helps seniors and families – including veteran families – compare burial insurance, final expense, and Medicare options across 30+ carriers, with an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau and 300+ verified five-star Google reviews. Read more about how we help.
RyCo Life Solutions is a licensed insurance brokerage. Coverage availability, rates, and policy terms vary by state and carrier. VA burial benefit amounts and eligibility are set by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and are subject to change. Rate examples in this article are illustrative; final premiums depend on full underwriting based on age, sex, tobacco use, health details, and other factors. This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute insurance, medical, tax, or legal advice. Consult a licensed broker, physician, or qualified professional for advice specific to your situation.