Washington Veteran Funeral Benefit Amounts 2

How Much Is the Washington State Veteran Funeral Benefit in 2024?

In 2024, Washington state veterans can receive funeral and burial benefits from two main sources: the federal Department of Veterans Affairs and the Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs (WDVA). At the federal level, the VA pays a burial allowance of up to $2,000 for deaths connected to military service, and up to $948 for non-service-connected deaths. Washington state adds its own layer of support through state veterans cemeteries and assistance programs. Combined, these benefits can cover a significant portion and sometimes all of funeral costs for eligible veterans.

What Funeral and Burial Benefits Does the VA Provide to Washington Veterans?

The federal VA burial benefit program applies to veterans in all states, including Washington. Here's what's available in 2024:

Service-connected death burial allowance: Up to $2,000, paid to the veteran's family or estate when the death resulted from a service-related condition.
Non-service-connected death burial allowance: Up to $948 for veterans who were hospitalized by the VA at the time of death or who were receiving VA pension benefits.
Plot allowance: Up to $948 when the veteran is not buried in a national or state veterans cemetery.
Free headstone or grave marker: The VA provides a government headstone, marker, or medallion at no cost, regardless of the veteran's date of death.
Burial flag: A U.S. flag is provided at no charge to drape the casket or accompany the urn.
Presidential Memorial Certificate: A signed certificate honoring the veteran's service.

These federal benefits are not automatic. The family or funeral home must file a claim with the VA using VA Form 21P-530EZ.

What Does Washington State Offer on Top of Federal VA Benefits?

Washington's Department of Veterans Affairs runs its own programs that go beyond federal benefits. These state-level perks can meaningfully reduce out-of-pocket funeral costs.

Washington State Veterans Cemetery at Medical Lake

Located near Spokane, the Washington State Veterans Cemetery at Medical Lake offers eligible veterans and their spouses or dependents:

A free gravesite or columbarium niche
Opening and closing of the grave at no charge
A free government headstone or marker
Perpetual care of the burial site

This is a major cost savings. Opening and closing fees at private cemeteries in Washington can run $1,500 to $3,000 or more. At the state veterans cemetery, these fees are waived entirely. Families who want to understand more about how perpetual care works at veterans cemeteries can read about perpetual care fees at state veterans cemeteries.

Tahoma National Cemetery in Kent

Tahoma National Cemetery, a federal VA cemetery in Kent, WA, also provides free burial for eligible veterans and their dependents. This includes the gravesite, opening and closing, a headstone or marker, and a burial vault. Since it's a national cemetery, it falls under federal rather than state administration, but it's a key option for western Washington families.

Washington State Death Gratuity and Other Assistance

Washington does not currently offer a standalone state cash burial grant the way some other states do. However, the WDVA helps veterans and families connect with additional aid through county veterans assistance programs, which can provide emergency funds for burial. The amount varies by county and available funding.

Families who are struggling to cover remaining costs after VA benefits should look into options described in our guide on what to do when a family cannot afford funeral costs.

Who Qualifies for Washington State Veteran Funeral Benefits?

Eligibility depends on which benefit you're applying for. The general requirements include:

The veteran must have been discharged under conditions other than dishonorable.
For federal VA burial allowances, the veteran must have completed at least one period of active military service (not including training alone in most cases).
For the Washington State Veterans Cemetery at Medical Lake, the veteran must meet Washington state residency requirements or have been a resident at the time of death.
Spouses and dependent children may also be eligible for burial at state and national veterans cemeteries, even if the veteran is not buried there.

Reservists and National Guard members may also qualify, depending on their service records. The eligibility rules for reserve members at state veterans cemeteries are covered in more detail in our article on reserve member eligibility for state veterans cemeteries.

How Do You File for Washington Veteran Funeral Benefits?

Filing for benefits takes a few concrete steps. Here's the process most Washington families follow:

Gather documents. You'll need the veteran's DD Form 214 (discharge papers), a death certificate, and funeral/burial receipts.
File VA Form 21P-530EZ. Submit this to the VA for the federal burial allowance and plot allowance. You can file online at VA.gov or by mail.
Contact the WDVA. For the Medical Lake cemetery or county-level assistance, reach out to the Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs or your county veterans service officer.
Work with the funeral home. Many funeral directors in Washington are familiar with VA paperwork and can help file claims on your behalf.

Claims for burial allowance must generally be filed within two years of the veteran's burial or cremation.

How Much Does a Typical Veteran Funeral Cost in Washington State?

Understanding the benefit amounts is only half the picture. Here's what Washington families actually face in 2024 costs:

Traditional burial with viewing: $7,000 to $12,000 or more, depending on the funeral home and casket chosen.
Cremation with memorial service: $2,000 to $6,000.
Direct cremation (no service): $1,000 to $2,500.

When you compare these costs against VA benefits and state cemetery options, burial at a veterans cemetery often brings the total family cost close to zero. Cremation with direct burial at Medical Lake or Tahoma can eliminate nearly all expenses beyond the cost of the urn and any family-chosen memorial service.

What Are Common Mistakes Families Make With Veteran Funeral Benefits?

Several errors can delay or reduce benefits:

Not having the DD-214 ready. This is the single most important document. If you can't find it, the National Archives can help locate a copy, but this can take weeks. Don't wait until after the veteran has passed to look for it.
Assuming benefits are automatic. They're not. Someone must file a claim for every benefit.
Missing the filing deadline. The two-year window for VA burial allowance claims passes faster than families expect.
Choosing a private cemetery without checking veterans cemetery options first. The plot and opening/closing savings at a state or national veterans cemetery can amount to several thousand dollars.
Not asking about county-level veterans assistance. These programs are underused and can bridge gaps that federal and state benefits don't cover.

COVID-19 also changed some processes for filing and accessing veteran funeral assistance. If you're dealing with a loss that involved pandemic-era complications, our article on veteran funeral assistance during and after the COVID-19 pandemic has updated guidance.

Can Washington Veterans Choose Between Burial and Cremation?

Yes. VA benefits apply to both burial and cremation. The federal burial allowance and headstone benefit are not affected by whether the veteran is buried or cremated. At the Washington State Veterans Cemetery at Medical Lake, cremated remains can be placed in a columbarium niche or buried in an urn. Families have full flexibility in this decision.

Do Spouses and Dependents Get Burial Benefits Too?

Yes, but with limitations. Spouses and eligible dependents can be buried in national veterans cemeteries like Tahoma and at the Washington State Veterans Cemetery at Medical Lake, even if the veteran is buried elsewhere. However, the cash burial allowance from the VA applies only to the veteran, not to surviving family members. Spouses may qualify for the VA's Survivor Compensation and DIC benefits, which can help with overall expenses.

What If the Veteran Lives in a Rural Part of Washington?

Accessing benefits can be harder in rural areas where the nearest veterans cemetery may be hours away. Families in eastern Washington often use the Medical Lake cemetery, while those on the Olympic Peninsula or islands may face longer travel. Some families choose to have a local private burial and still claim the VA plot allowance to offset costs. For ideas on making benefits work in less accessible areas, see our guide on funeral assistance for rural communities.

Quick Checklist: What to Do When a Washington Veteran Passes Away

Locate the veteran's DD-214 and death certificate.
Decide between burial and cremation, and whether to use a veterans cemetery or private cemetery.
Contact the funeral home ask if they assist with VA claims.
File VA Form 21P-530EZ for the federal burial allowance.
Contact the WDVA or your county veterans service officer for state-level assistance.
Request a government headstone or marker from the VA if not using a veterans cemetery (they provide one automatically at veterans cemeteries).
Ask your county about emergency burial funds if the family needs help covering remaining costs.
Keep all receipts the VA requires them for reimbursement claims.

Tip: Start the DD-214 search now if you're a veteran or have a veteran in the family. Having it on file before a death occurs saves the family days or weeks of delay during an already difficult time.