Funeral Benefits for Medically Retired Veterans

Medically retired service members are entitled to specific VA funeral and burial benefits that differ in some ways from what's available to veterans with a standard discharge. If your loved one held a medical retirement status (Chapter 61 retirement), you may qualify for a burial allowance, a government-furnished headstone or marker, a burial flag, military funeral honors, and interment in a national or state veterans cemetery often at no cost to the family.

What does medically retired mean, and how does it affect burial benefits?

A medical retirement happens when a service member is separated from the military due to a service-connected disability, typically rated at 30% or higher. The member receives a retired ID, TRICARE coverage, and retirement pay. For funeral benefits, the VA treats medically retired individuals as veterans with a service-connected disability which can mean a higher burial allowance compared to a non-service-connected death.

This distinction matters because the VA offers two different burial allowance rates: one for service-connected deaths and one for non-service-connected deaths. A medically retired veteran whose death is related to their rated condition may qualify for the higher, service-connected burial allowance, which as of 2024 can be up to $2,000 or more depending on circumstances.

Which burial benefits are available to medically retired service members?

The VA provides several categories of funeral-related benefits. Here's what applies to medically retired individuals:

Burial allowance: A monetary benefit paid toward funeral costs. If the death is service-connected, the allowance is higher. If it's non-service-connected, a smaller flat-rate payment still applies.
Government headstone or marker: The VA furnishes a headstone, marker, or medallion at no cost, regardless of whether the burial happens in a national cemetery or a private one.
Burial flag: A free American flag to drape the casket or accompany the urn. Every medically retired veteran qualifies.
Military funeral honors: At minimum, a two-person detail (one from the veteran's branch of service) to fold and present the flag and play Taps.
National cemetery interment: Burial in a VA national cemetery includes the gravesite, opening and closing of the grave, a headstone, and perpetual care all at no charge.
State veterans cemetery burial: Many states run their own veterans cemeteries with similar benefits. You can learn more about Delaware's state veteran cemetery interment coverage options as one example.
Transportation reimbursement: In some cases, the VA may reimburse transport costs to a national cemetery.

How much is the VA burial allowance for a medically retired veteran?

The amount depends on whether the cause of death is connected to the veteran's service-connected disability:

Service-connected death: The VA pays a higher allowance to help offset funeral and burial costs. Families can also request a plot allowance if the veteran is not buried in a national cemetery.
Non-service-connected death: A smaller flat-rate allowance applies. The VA also pays a plot allowance if the veteran wasn't buried in a national or state veterans cemetery.

These rates change periodically. Some states have also increased their own burial allowances. For the latest numbers, check our page on state veteran burial allowance increases for 2024.

How do you file a claim for VA burial benefits?

You'll need to submit VA Form 21P-530 (Application for Burial Benefits) along with supporting documents. The VA recommends filing within two years of the burial or cremation, though late claims may still be accepted.

Documents you'll need

The veteran's DD Form 214 (discharge papers) or medical retirement orders
A copy of the death certificate
Funeral and burial receipts (for the allowance claim)
Proof of the veteran's service-connected disability rating (VA rating decision letter)
Information about the burial location

If you're unsure where to start, a local Veterans Service Officer (VSO) can help you complete the paperwork at no charge. Our guide on how to find local veteran service officers explains how to locate one near you.

Does medical retirement guarantee a free burial in a national cemetery?

Yes medically retired service members are eligible for interment in any VA national cemetery that has available space. This includes the gravesite, a government headstone or marker, the burial vault if required, opening and closing of the grave, and perpetual care of the site. There is no charge for any of these.

The same eligibility extends to state veterans cemeteries, though individual states may have their own residency requirements or additional fees. Some families choose to pre-register for a burial spot to avoid delays. You can read more about that process in our article on pre-registering for a state veteran cemetery burial spot.

Can family members be buried with a medically retired veteran?

In most VA national cemeteries, eligible dependents including a surviving spouse and minor children can be interred in the same gravesite even if the veteran dies first. The dependent's interment is also at no cost for the plot and opening/closing. However, a headstone for the dependent may not always be government-furnished unless specific conditions are met.

What about military funeral honors are they automatic?

Federal law requires that military funeral honors be provided upon the family's request for any eligible veteran. The minimum detail includes at least two uniformed military members: one to present the flag and one to play Taps. For a medically retired service member, the branch of service the veteran retired from should provide the detail.

Larger ceremonies with a full honor guard, rifle team, or band depend on local availability and the veteran's rank and circumstances. Some states organize funeral honors differently depending on the branch of service. For instance, you can see how Kansas handles veteran funeral honors by branch of service.

How to request funeral honors

Notify the funeral home most directors will coordinate the request with the military on your behalf
Contact the military honors coordinator for the veteran's branch directly if the funeral home is not handling it
Request honors at least 48 hours before the service when possible

Common mistakes families make with veteran burial benefits

Not knowing the veteran's discharge status matters. A medical retirement is not the same as a standard separation. Families sometimes assume a DD 214 is the only proof needed, when medical retirement orders may also be required.
Waiting too long to file. The VA prefers claims within two years, and some state programs have even shorter windows.
Not claiming the service-connected rate. If the veteran's death was related to their rated disability, families sometimes file for the lower non-service-connected amount by mistake.
Forgetting the headstone benefit. A government headstone, marker, or medallion is free even for private cemetery burials. Many families pay for a headstone out of pocket without realizing this.
Skipping the burial flag. The flag is free and available for every eligible veteran. Funeral homes usually handle this, but it's worth confirming.
Assuming TRICARE covers funeral costs. TRICARE ends at death. Funeral expenses fall under VA burial benefits, not health coverage.

Does a medically retired veteran's disability rating affect the burial allowance?

Not directly. The rating itself doesn't change the flat-rate allowance amount. What matters is whether the cause of death is service-connected. A veteran rated at 100% who dies from an unrelated cause would still receive the non-service-connected rate unless the family can show the service-connected condition contributed to or caused the death.

This is an area where a Veterans Service Officer or accredited claims agent can make a real difference. If a service-connected condition like PTSD contributed to a veteran's passing, an experienced representative can help argue the case for the higher allowance.

What if the veteran was medically retired but didn't have a DD 214?

Medically retired service members may have a DD Form 214 or they may have military retirement orders instead, depending on when and how they were separated. Either document serves as proof of service. If the family can't locate these papers, the National Archives can provide copies of service records. A VSO can also help request these records on the family's behalf.

Quick checklist for families of medically retired veterans

Locate the veteran's DD Form 214 or medical retirement orders
Obtain certified copies of the death certificate
Determine whether the death was service-connected
Contact a Veterans Service Officer for help filing the claim
Complete and submit VA Form 21P-530 with supporting documents
Request military funeral honors through the funeral home or branch coordinator
Ask the funeral director to order the free government headstone or marker
Confirm the burial flag will be provided
Save all funeral and burial receipts for the allowance claim
File the claim as soon as possible don't wait years to submit

Next step: If you're planning services now, contact your funeral home and ask them to coordinate military honors and help you gather the paperwork. Then reach out to a local Veterans Service Officer to make sure you file for every benefit your loved one earned.