Surviving Spouse? Find Out If You Really Have to File a Claim for VA Burial Costs

Hey, first off — I’m really sorry for your loss. I know this is an incredibly hard time, and the last thing you want is to get tangled up in confusing paperwork or worry about money. If your spouse was a Veteran, there’s some help out there to cover burial and funeral costs through the VA.

You might be wondering: Do I have to do anything to get those benefits? Do I need to file a claim?

Good news — most of the time, you probably don’t have to.

When You Don’t Have to File a Claim

If the VA already has your spouse’s records and your name is on there as their spouse, they usually find out when your spouse passes and take care of the burial benefits automatically. That means you likely won’t have to fill out any forms or file a claim. The VA just handles it for you.

It’s their way of making things a little easier when you’re already dealing with so much.

When You Might Have to File a Claim

Sometimes though, you do have to take action, like if:

• Your spouse’s death wasn’t connected to their military service,

• They weren’t already getting VA compensation or pension payments,

• Or if you’re not listed as their spouse in the VA system.

In these cases, you’ll need to fill out a form (called VA Form 21P-530EZ) and send it in. You can do it online or mail it — whichever is easier for you.

What Kind of Help Does the VA Provide?

Here’s what the VA can help with:

• A payment toward funeral and burial costs (as of now, that’s about $978 if your spouse died after October 1, 2024),

• Extra help paying for a burial plot (another $978),

• And help covering transportation costs if the Veteran’s remains need to be moved.

The exact amounts can depend on things like when your spouse passed or whether their death was service-connected.

Deadlines Matter, So Keep These in Mind

If you do have to file a claim, keep an eye on these time limits:

• For deaths not related to military service, you have 2 years from the burial date to apply.

• If the death was service-connected, you can apply anytime — no time limit.

• And if your spouse’s discharge status was upgraded after they passed, you’ve got 2 years from that date.

What Papers Should You Have Ready?

Before you apply, it helps to have:

• Your spouse’s death certificate,

• Receipts or bills from funeral or burial expenses,

• And any military discharge papers you have, like the DD214.

Having these ready makes the process smoother.

Need Help? You’re Not Alone

Look, I know this all can feel like a lot. You don’t have to do it alone.

You can:

• Call the VA at 1-800-827-1000 (TTY: 711 if you need it),

• Visit your local VA office,

• Or reach out to a Veterans Service Organization — they know the ropes and can help you for free.

This is a really tough time, and it’s okay to ask for help and take things one step at a time.

The VA burial benefits are there to support you and honor your spouse’s service. Most of the time, you won’t even have to file a claim — the VA will take care of it. But if you do, or if you’re not sure what to do next, reach out. You deserve support, and there are people ready to help.

If you want, I can help you find the right forms or figure out what to do next. Just say the word.