A new federal law now allows families of veterans who die at home to receive expanded burial reimbursement benefits. This initiative offers financial relief for funeral, cremation, and burial costs. The goal is to support families during emotional times while honoring the service of veterans who choose to spend their final days in the comfort of home hospice care.
Table of Contents
Law and Implementation Timeline
The change is part of the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act, signed into law earlier this year. It applies to veterans who pass away between July 1, 2025, and October 1, 2026. The policy aims to recognize the growing preference for home-based hospice care and ensure that veterans’ families are not excluded from benefits due to location of death.
Veterans Newly Eligible for Assistance
Before this law, many veterans who moved from VA facilities to home hospice care were excluded from full burial reimbursements. With this expansion, those families are now eligible for financial compensation and burial honors. The new law aligns VA policies with modern caregiving trends, ensuring that families receive appropriate recognition and support.
Eligibility Requirements for Families
To qualify for these benefits, families must meet specific conditions. The veteran must have:
- Been discharged from a VA hospital or nursing home
- Received hospice care authorized by the VA at home
- Passed away between July 1, 2025, and October 1, 2026
Families must also provide documentation such as the veteran’s discharge papers, hospice enrollment proof, and a valid death certificate to confirm eligibility.
Coverage and Benefits Provided
The expanded benefit covers both reimbursement and ceremonial honors. Eligible families can receive payment for funeral expenses, cremation or burial services, and the transportation of remains. The VA also provides, free of charge, a gravesite in a national cemetery, the opening and closing of the grave, a government-issued headstone or marker, a burial flag, and a Presidential Memorial Certificate. These services reflect the government’s commitment to ensuring every veteran receives a dignified farewell.
Summary of Expanded Benefits
| Criteria | Details |
|---|---|
| Eligible Death Dates | July 1, 2025 – October 1, 2026 |
| Required Conditions | Discharged from VA care, received VA-authorized home hospice |
| Benefits Include | Reimbursement, cemetery plot, headstone |
| Form Needed | VA Form 21P-530 |
| National Cemetery Costs | Free of charge |
How to Apply for Burial Reimbursement
Families can apply by contacting the National Cemetery Scheduling Office at 800-535-1117 or submitting VA Form 21P-530. The form may be filed online through VA.gov, by mail to the Pension Intake Center in Wisconsin, in person at any VA regional office, or through a Veterans Service Organization. Timely submission of required documents ensures faster reimbursement and scheduling of burial services.
FAQ
1. Who qualifies for the expanded burial benefit?
Families of veterans who die at home under VA-authorized hospice care between July 2025 and October 2026 are eligible.
2. What documents are required to apply?
Families must submit the veteran’s DD-214 discharge paper, a death certificate, and proof of hospice enrollment.
3. Are these benefits permanent?
No, this is a temporary expansion valid for 15 months. Future extensions will depend on Congressional approval.
4. Does the family need to pay for the burial plot or headstone?
No, the gravesite, headstone, and memorial certificate are all provided at no cost in national cemeteries.
5. How can families get help with filing the application?
They can seek assistance from a local Veterans Service Organization or funeral home familiar with VA procedures.
