Planning a military funeral while grieving is overwhelming — but knowing exactly what benefits and ceremonies your loved one is entitled to makes a real difference. Veterans who served honorably have earned specific honors that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Department of Defense are legally required to provide. Here's what you need to know to claim every benefit and plan with confidence.
Who Qualifies for Military Funeral Honors
Not every veteran receives the same level of honors. Eligibility depends on discharge status and service history.
Eligible veterans include:
- Active duty members and retirees
- National Guard and Reserve members who served on federal orders
- Veterans discharged under conditions other than dishonorable
Veterans with a dishonorable discharge are not eligible for military funeral honors or VA burial benefits. If you're unsure about a veteran's discharge status, request their DD-214 form — this is the key document you'll need for every benefit claim.
The Two-Person Minimum: What the Law Guarantees
Under the Veterans' Benefits Improvement Act of 2000, every eligible veteran is legally entitled to a minimum military funeral honors detail, which includes:
- At least two uniformed military personnel from any branch
- Folding and presentation of the American flag to the next of kin
- Playing of "Taps" — either live or via a quality recorded version
This service is provided free of charge. Funeral homes coordinate with the Department of Defense to arrange the honors detail, so ask your funeral director to initiate this request as early as possible. Scheduling can take several days, especially in rural areas.
Additional Honors for Retirees and Higher-Ranking Veterans
Veterans who retired from active duty or held higher ranks may be entitled to expanded ceremonies, including:
- A full military honors ceremony with a firing party (rifle salute)
- A military chaplain or officer to conduct or assist with the service
- Pallbearers in uniform for graveside services
- Branch-specific ceremonies (e.g., Navy committal service, Army bugle call traditions)
Contact the veteran's branch of service directly to confirm what additional honors are available. Each branch — Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, and Space Force — manages its own honors program and has regional coordinators who can assist families.
VA Burial Benefits: What They Cover
Beyond the ceremony itself, the VA offers financial assistance to help offset burial costs. Current benefit amounts (which can change, so always verify at VA.gov) include:
- $948 for service-connected death burial allowance
- $300 non-service-connected burial allowance (if VA was paying pension or compensation at time of death)
- $833 plot or interment allowance for veterans not buried in a national cemetery
- Free burial in a national cemetery for eligible veterans, spouses, and dependent children — this includes the gravesite, liner, opening and closing, and a government headstone or marker
To apply, submit VA Form 21P-530 within two years of the veteran's burial. The funeral home or cemetery may be able to file on the family's behalf.
Government Headstones, Markers, and Medallions
The VA provides free headstones and markers for eligible veterans buried in private cemeteries, national cemeteries, or overseas. You can choose from:
- Upright granite or marble headstone
- Flat granite, marble, or bronze marker
- Niche marker for cremated remains
If the veteran already has a privately purchased headstone, the VA offers a Presidential Memorial Certificate and a bronze medallion that can be affixed to the existing marker. Apply through VA Form 40-1330.
National Cemeteries: Burial Without the Cost
There are 155 national cemeteries across the United States. Burial there is completely free for eligible veterans, spouses, and dependents. The National Cemetery Scheduling Office (NCSO) handles reservations — call 1-800-535-1117. Keep in mind that not all national cemeteries have space available, and some are limited to cremated remains only.
How to Coordinate Everything Without Getting Lost
The logistics of military funeral honors — coordinating the honors detail, filing VA benefit claims, reserving a national cemetery plot, and selecting a funeral home familiar with military protocols — can be genuinely complex during a period of grief.
Mercoly makes it easier by letting families compare and find trusted military funeral honors providers in one place, so you're not making calls blindly during one of the hardest weeks of your life.
Practical checklist before you contact a funeral home:
- Locate the veteran's DD-214
- Confirm discharge status and branch of service
- Decide on burial location (national cemetery vs. private)
- Note whether the veteran has any service-connected disability ratings on file with the VA
Start your search today and find a qualified military funeral provider who will handle every detail your veteran deserves.