What qualifies you to be buried at Arlington?

To be buried at Arlington National Cemetery (ANC), you generally need an honorable discharge and significant military service, with eligibility determined by factors like receiving retirement pay, high military awards (Medal of Honor, Silver Star), or being a former prisoner of war. Spouses and eligible dependents can also be interred, but the most stringent criteria often apply to in-ground burials, while honorably discharged veterans are usually eligible for cremation inurnment (columbarium).

What are the requirements to be buried in the Arlington National Cemetery?

The required documentation is: 1) DD214 or equivalent service documentation showing an honorable discharge and active duty service (mandatory for a veteran and the first interment of a dependent; requested for the second interment of a spouse). 2) Death certificate.

Who is eligible for burial in a VA cemetery?

Burial in a VA national cemetery is open to all members of the armed forces and Veterans who have met minimum active duty service requirements, as applicable by law and were discharged under conditions other than dishonorable.

How much does it cost to be buried at Arlington National Cemetery?

There's no charge for the burial plot, grave digging, or government headstone at Arlington National Cemetery for eligible service members, veterans, and their dependents; the main costs are for funeral arrangements like the casket, body preparation, and transportation, unless the deceased was on active duty, in which case the government covers many of these expenses, including transport. Families may choose to pay for a private vault instead of the standard government-provided liner, incurring extra costs for that.
 

Are all Veterans eligible for free burial?

No, not all veterans are eligible for free burial in a VA National Cemetery; eligibility hinges on an honorable discharge (not dishonorable) and meeting minimum active duty requirements, with spouses and children often included, but costs for private cemeteries or specific situations vary, though VA provides headstones, flags, and other memorial items for eligible veterans. 

What Are The Requirements For Burial At Arlington National Cemetery? - Wealth and Estate Planners

How much does it cost to be buried at veterans cemetery?

Burial and memorial benefits available include a gravesite in any VA national cemetery with available space, opening and closing of the grave, perpetual care, a government headstone, marker, or medallion, Presidential Memorial Certificates, and a burial flag all at no cost to the family.

Who qualifies for the $255 death benefit?

The $255 Social Security lump-sum death benefit goes first to the surviving spouse if they lived with the deceased or received Social Security benefits on their record; if no eligible spouse, it goes to an eligible child (under 18, K-12 student, or disabled before 21); if no spouse or child, it goes to a dependent parent (age 62+), but often it isn't paid if these conditions aren't met, requiring an application within two years of death.
 

How long is the wait to get buried at Arlington National Cemetery?

Services for casketed remains are generally scheduled within three weeks of receiving the request for burial.

Does the VA have a $2000 death benefit?

The VA offers a $2,000 burial allowance for veterans whose death is service-connected (on or after Sept. 11, 2001) to help with funeral and burial costs, and this is paid to the person who paid for the expenses; for non-service-connected deaths, lower amounts (up to $796 for VA-hospitalized deaths, up to $300 otherwise) are available, plus a plot allowance if not buried in a VA cemetery, with eligibility requiring certain conditions like receiving VA pension/compensation or dying in a VA facility.
 

Is it cheaper to be buried in a mausoleum or in the ground?

Generally, a traditional in-ground grave is cheaper than a mausoleum, but costs vary significantly; a single crypt in a large community mausoleum can be comparable to or slightly more than a grave (around $4k-$8k), while a private, walk-in family mausoleum is vastly more expensive (tens to hundreds of thousands) due to materials and construction, though some argue a community mausoleum can save money by bundling services and avoiding burial vault/headstone fees.
 

When a veteran dies, do they get a military funeral?

The following individuals are eligible to receive military funeral honors: Military members who die while on active duty. Veterans who served in the active military, naval or air service, and were discharged or released from that service by means of an “honorable” or “under honorable conditions” discharge.

Can I be buried on my own property in VA?

Virginia families may bury on their own property.

There are no laws in Virginia stipulating conditions for home burial. Check with the Virginia Department of Health for specifics, and be sure to check for local or county zoning regulations. (Go to How to Arrange Disposition.)

Can my wife be buried with me at a VA cemetery?

Yes, a spouse (or surviving spouse) of an eligible veteran is generally eligible for burial in a VA national cemetery alongside the veteran, even if the spouse remarried a non-veteran, as long as certain criteria are met and the veteran had an "other than dishonorable" discharge. They receive burial with the veteran, perpetual care, and have their information inscribed on the veteran's headstone at no cost, with arrangements made through a funeral provider. 

How long do you have to be in the military to get a military funeral?

Any person (Active, National Guard, or Reserve) who has completed at least one enlistment or other obligated military service and received an honorable discharge is eligible for Military Funeral Honors.

Do all Veterans get buried at Arlington?

Eligibility for in-ground burial at Arlington National Cemetery is the most stringent of all U.S. national cemeteries. However, most veterans who have at least one day of active service (other than for training) and an honorable discharge are eligible for above-ground inurnment.

Who is the only person to be buried three times in the Arlington National Cemetery?

The only person buried three times at Arlington National Cemetery is Air Force Major Troy Gilbert, a pilot shot down in Iraq in 2006, whose remains were recovered in stages, leading to three separate services and burials over a decade, culminating in his final interment in 2016.
 

Do all veterans qualify for VA burial benefits?

In general, any honorably discharged service member is eligible to receive DOD or VA funeral and burial benefits. A dishonorable discharge makes a service member ineligible for those benefits.

Who is eligible for the $2500 death benefit?

The $255 Social Security lump-sum death payment goes to the surviving spouse if living with the deceased, or to an eligible child if there's no qualifying spouse; eligibility requires the deceased to have worked and paid Social Security taxes, and you must apply within two years of the death. Qualifying children include those under 18, full-time students 18-19, or any age if disabled from childhood, and sometimes step/grand/adopted children. 

How much does the widow of a 100% disabled Veteran receive?

A widow of a 100% disabled veteran typically receives tax-free Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC), starting with a base rate (around $1,699 in late 2025) plus additional amounts for dependent children, if the surviving spouse needs Aid & Attendance (A&A) or is housebound, or if the veteran had a long-term 100% rating (8+ years), potentially adding hundreds more monthly. 

What happens to graves over 100 years old?

After 100 years, graves in the U.S. often remain untouched if burial rights were purchased in perpetuity, though headstones weather and bodies fully decompose into skeletons and then mineral dust, leaving mostly teeth and coffin remnants; however, in some countries or land-constrained areas, graves are leased and re-used after a set term (e.g., 15-100 years) by exhuming remains, and cemeteries may use double-deep burials or mausoleums to conserve space. 

Why is the number 21 so significant to the tomb guards?

The number 21 is significant for the Tomb Guards at Arlington National Cemetery because it symbolizes the 21-gun salute, the highest military honor, with each guard taking 21 steps down the black mat, pausing for 21 seconds, and repeating the routine to represent this ultimate tribute to the Unknown Soldiers. This meticulous repetition, including the 21 steps and 21-second pauses, embodies profound respect and unending vigilance, reflecting the selfless sacrifice of those interred there.
 

What does it cost to be buried in the Arlington National Cemetery?

There's no charge for the burial plot, grave digging, or government headstone at Arlington National Cemetery for eligible service members, veterans, and their dependents; the main costs are for funeral arrangements like the casket, body preparation, and transportation, unless the deceased was on active duty, in which case the government covers many of these expenses, including transport. Families may choose to pay for a private vault instead of the standard government-provided liner, incurring extra costs for that.
 

What is the $10000 death benefit?

A $10,000 death benefit is a common payout for various life insurance policies or employer-sponsored plans, often a flat amount paid to beneficiaries or estates, but specific conditions (like waiting periods for retirement plans) and eligibility (like line-of-duty deaths for federal workers) apply, with some programs like Texas TRS offering it as a lump sum post-retirement or as an option for a reduced monthly pension. It can also refer to specific state or federal programs for public employees or workers' compensation. 

Does Social Security give you any money for burial?

Social Security does not pay funeral homes or reimburse families for funeral or cremation costs. There are no additional payments beyond the $255 death benefit. Families planning ahead should not rely on Social Security to cover final expenses.

What not to do when someone dies?

When someone dies, avoid making major financial decisions, rushing to cancel accounts, touching or moving assets without guidance, and pressuring grieving family members; instead, focus on supporting them emotionally, getting multiple death certificates, consulting professionals like lawyers or CPAs, and handling administrative tasks like notifying Social Security and banks cautiously to prevent fraud or legal issues.