Instructions For Completing Application For Burial Benefits (UNDER 38 U.S.C., CHAPTER 23)
Instructions For Completing Application For Burial Benefits (UNDER 38 U.S.C., CHAPTER 23)
Instructions For Completing Application For Burial Benefits (UNDER 38 U.S.C., CHAPTER 23)
1. RESPONDENT BURDEN: VA may not conduct or sponsor, and respondent is not required to respond to this collection of
information unless it displays a valid OMB Control Number. Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to
average 20 minutes per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and
maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. If you have comments regarding this burden
estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, call 1-800-827-1000 for mailing information on where to send your
comments.
PRIVACY ACT INFORMATION: The responses you submit are considered confidential, (38 U.S.C. 5701). They may be disclosed
outside the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) only if the disclosure is authorized under the Privacy Act, including the routine uses
identified in the VA system of records, 58VA21/22, Compensation, Pension, Education and Rehabilitation Records - VA, published in
the Federal Register. The requested information is considered relevant and necessary to determine maximum benefits under the law
and is required to obtain benefits. Information submitted is subject to verification through computer matching programs with other
agencies.
2. GENERAL
a. BURIAL ALLOWANCE - An amount towards the expenses of the funeral and burial of the veteran's remains. Burial
includes all recognized methods of interment.
b. PLOT ALLOWANCE - Plot means the final resting place of the remains. The allowance is payable towards:
(1) Expenses incurred for the plot or interment if burial was not in a national cemetery or other cemetery under the
jurisdiction of the United States; OR
(2) Expenses payable to a State (or political subdivision) if the veteran died from nonservice-connected causes and was
buried in a State-owned cemetery or section used solely for the remains of persons eligible for burial in a national
cemetery.
c. BURIAL ALLOWANCE FOR SERVICE-CONNECTED DEATH - When the veteran's death occurred as the result of a
service-connected disability, a special "service-connected" rate is payable.
d. TRANSPORTATION EXPENSES - The cost of transporting the body to the place of burial may be paid in addition to
the burial allowance when:
(1) The veteran died of a service-connected disability or had a compensable service-connected disability and burial is in a
national cemetery; OR
(2) The veteran died while in a hospital, domiciliary or nursing home to which he/she had been properly admitted under
authority of VA; OR
(3) The veteran died en route while traveling under prior authorization of VA for the purpose of examination, treatment
or care.
d. STATE - If a veteran whose death is nonservice-connected was buried without charge for plot or interment in a State-owned
cemetery or section used for persons eligible in a national cemetery, the claim may be filed by the State official completing
Parts I, III (Items 23 and 24), and IV.
4. TIME LIMIT FOR FILING A CLAIM - A claim for nonservice-connected burial expenses or plot allowance must be filed
with VA within 2 years from the date of the veteran's permanent burial or cremation. If a veteran's discharge was corrected after
death to "Under Conditions Other Than Dishonorable," the claim must be filed within 2 years from the date of correction. The
2-year limitation does not apply to service-connected burial benefits, transportation expenses or reimbursement of headstone expenses.
5. COMPLETING CLAIM BY A FIRM OR STATE AGENCY - The claim must be executed in the full name of the firm or
State agency, and show the official position or connection of the individual who signs on its behalf.
6. PROOF OF DEATH TO ACCOMPANY CLAIM - Death in a government institution does not need to be proven. In other
cases, the claimant must forward a copy of the public record of death. If proof has previously been furnished VA, it need not be
submitted again.
a. FUNERAL DIRECTOR - A statement of account on the funeral director's letterhead must show the name of the veteran;
the nature and cost of services, including any payments made to another funeral home (show name and address); all credits;
and the name of the person or persons by whom payment in whole or in part was made.
b. TRANSPORTATION - If transported by common carrier, a receipt must accompany the claim. All receipts for
transportation charges should show the name of the veteran, the name of the person who paid and the amount of the charges.
The itemized statement of account should show the charges made for transportation. Failure to itemize charges may result in
delay or payment of a lesser amount.
c. ACCOUNT PAID IN FULL - The statement of account should be receipted in the name of the firm or individual performing
the services. Bills or receipts filed in support of this claim become a part of the permanent record and will not be returned,
unless specifically requested.
d. PLOT ALLOWANCE ONLY - In a claim for the plot allowance only, the statement of account must show the cost of the
veteran's individual gravesite, the mausoleum vault, or the columbarium niche.
8. BURIAL ASSOCIATION OR BURIAL INSURANCE - If the veteran was a member of a burial association or if any insurance
company is obligated to pay all or part of the burial expenses, Item 22 should be answered "Yes." It will be necessary to support
the claim with a statement from the association or insurance company setting forth the terms of the contract and how and with
whom settlement was made.
9. SERVICE RECORD - The original or certified copy of the veteran's service separation document (DD214 or equivalent)
which contains information as to the length, time, and character of service will permit prompt processing.
10. TOLL FREE TELEPHONE ASSISTANCE - You can call us toll-free within the U.S. by dialing 1-800-827-1000. If you are
located in the local dialing area of a VA regional office, you can also call us by checking your local telephone directory. For the
hearing impaired, our TDD number is 1-800-829-4833.
OMB Approved No. 2900-0003
Respondent Burden: 20 minutes
(DO NOT WRITE IN THIS SPACE)
(VA DATE STAMP)
10. IF VETERAN SERVED UNDER NAME OTHER THAN THAT SHOWN IN ITEM 1, GIVE FULL NAME 11. ARE YOU CLAIMING THAT THE CAUSE OF
AND SERVICE RENDERED UNDER THAT NAME DEATH WAS DUE TO SERVICE?
YES NO
PART II - CLAIM FOR BURIAL BENEFITS AND/OR INTERMENT ALLOWANCE IF PAID BY CLAIMANT
NOTE - If claiming Plot Allowance Only, do not complete Part II, but complete Parts III and IV on reverse.
12. PLACE OF BURIAL OR LOCATION OF CREMAINS 13. WAS BURIAL (WITHOUT CHARGE FOR PLOT OR 14. WAS BURIAL IN A NATIONAL CEMETERY
INTERMENT) IN A STATE OWNED CEMETERY, OR OR CEMETERY OWNED BY THE FEDERAL
SECTION THEREOF, USED SOLELY FOR PERSONS GOVERNMENT?
ELIGIBLE FOR BURIAL IN A NATIONAL CEMETERY?
(If "No," complete
Tucson, AZ YES NO (IF "No," complete Items 15 and 16) YES NO Items 15 and 16)
15. BURIAL PLOT, MAUSOLEUM VAULT, COLUMBARIUM NICHE, ETC. 16. IF PLOT/INTERMENT EXPENSES ARE UNPAID, WHO WILL FILE CLAIM FOR
COST IS: (CHECK ONE) EXPENSES? (Name and Address)
17. TOTAL EXPENSE OF BURIAL, FUNERAL, TRANSPORTATION, 18. AMOUNT PAID 19. WHOSE FUNDS WERE USED?
AND IF CLAIMED, BURIAL PLOT
NO Tucson, AZ
25A. COST OF BURIAL PLOT (Individual Grave Site, Mausoleum Vault, or 25B. DATE OF PURCHASE 25C. DATE OF PAYMENT
Columbarium Niche)
31. FULL NAME AND ADDRESS OF THE FIRM, CORPORATION, OR STATE AGENCY FILING AS CLAIMANT
NOTE - Where the claimant is a firm or other unpaid creditor, Items 32A thru 35 MUST be completed by the individual who authorized services.
I CERTIFY THAT the foregoing statements made by the claimant are correct to the best of my knowledge and belief.
32A. SIGNATURE OF PERSON WHO AUTHORIZED SERVICES (If signed by mark, 32B. NAME OF PERSON AUTHORIZING SERVICES (Type or Print)
complete Items 36A thru 37B)
33. ADDRESS (Number and street or rural route, city or P.O., State and ZIP Code)
PENALTY - The law provides severe penalties which include fine or imprisonment, or both, for the willful submission of any statement or evidence of a
material fact knowing it to be false.