Airmen and Guardians who die while on active duty, Veterans discharged under conditions other than dishonorable and members of Reserve Components may be eligible for the following Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits: (1) burial in a VA national cemetery; (2) government-furnished headstone, marker or medallion; (3) Presidential Memorial Certificate; (4) burial flag; and in some cases, (5) Some Veterans may also be eligible for Burial Allowances. The Service members' Surviving Spouse, dependent Children, biological and adoptive parents and under certain conditions, unmarried adult Children, may be eligible for burial in a national cemetery.
On April 12, 2021, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) began providing financial assistance for COVID-19 related funeral expenses incurred after January 20, 2020.
Who can apply for COVID-19 Funeral Assistance? You may qualify if:
1. You are a U.S. citizen, non-citizen national, or qualified alien who paid for funeral expenses after January 20, 2020, and
2. The funeral expenses were for an individual whose death in the United States, territories or the District of Columbia, may have been caused by or was likely the result of COVID-19.
The COVID-19 incident period will come to an end on May 11, 2023. FEMA will continue to provide funeral assistance until Sept. 30, 2025, to those who have lost loved ones due to this pandemic.
Please visit the FEMA COVID-19 Funeral Assistance website for more information: https://www.fema.gov/disasters/coronavirus/economic/funeral-assistance
COVID-19 Alerts
All Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) national cemeteries remain open and continue to provide interment services for Veterans and eligible dependents.
Effective immediately: Visitors should use the CDC's community-level guidance for the county in which a VA national cemetery is located to determine masking requirements for indoor spaces.
In accordance with this guidance, signage will be posted at the entrance of each building where the public has access when the COVID county level is deemed High, which will require visitors and employees to wear masks in the building regardless of vaccination status.
For more information on COVID-19 Alerts, please visit: https://www.cem.va.gov/alerts.asp