Montevista | Veterans Burial Benefits for Spouses and Dependents
Veterans Burial Benefits for Spouses and Dependents
Eligible spouses and dependent children of veterans can be buried in national cemeteries alongside their veteran family member, receiving many of the same benefits. Understanding which family members qualify, what benefits are available, and how to arrange companion burial ensures families stay together even after death.
This guide explains burial benefits for veterans’ spouses and dependents, eligibility requirements, benefits included, and how to apply.
Burial Benefits for Spouses
Who Qualifies as an Eligible Spouse
Can be buried in national cemetery:
Current spouse: – Legally married to eligible veteran at time of death – Marriage certificate proves relationship
Surviving spouse: – Widowed spouse of deceased eligible veteran – Must not have remarried – If remarried, generally loses eligibility
Former spouse (limited circumstances): – Rare exceptions may apply – Usually requires specific legal determinations
What Benefits Spouses Receive
When buried in national cemetery with veteran:
Gravesite: – Burial in same plot as veteran – Or adjacent plot if same-plot unavailable – No cost to family
Opening and closing of grave: – Grave preparation and closure – No charge
Perpetual care: – Grave maintenance forever – Included with veteran’s plot
Government headstone: – Headstone or marker – Can include spouse’s name and dates – Or separate headstone if adjacent plot
No military honors: – Spouses don’t receive military funeral honors – Those are specific to veterans’ military service
No VA burial allowance: – Burial allowance is veteran-only benefit – Spouses not eligible for cash allowance
Burial Options for Spouses
Same gravesite as veteran: – Most common option – Casket/urn buried in same plot – Double-depth burial or cremation niche
Adjacent gravesite: – Side-by-side plots – When same-site burial not available
Pre-deceased spouse: – Spouse who died before veteran – Can be buried in pre-arranged plot – Veteran buried later in same location
Burial Benefits for Dependent Children
Who Qualifies as Eligible Dependents
Unmarried children under 21: – Minor children of eligible veteran – Must be unmarried
Adult disabled children: – Unmarried – Became permanently disabled before age 18 or 21 – Incapable of self-support – Continues to be dependent on veteran
Proof of dependency required: – Medical records – Legal documentation – Financial dependency evidence
What Benefits Dependent Children Receive
Same benefits as spouses: – Burial in national cemetery – Gravesite at no cost – Opening and closing of grave – Perpetual care – Government headstone
Burial with veteran: – In same family plot – Multiple dependents can be accommodated
How Burial Works for Families
Companion Burial Arrangements
Same-site burial: – One plot accommodates veteran and spouse – Caskets placed one above the other (double-depth) – Or cremated remains of both in single plot
What’s included: – Single gravesite serves both – One headstone with both names – Or individual headstones in adjacent plots
Sequential Burials
Veteran dies first: 1. Veteran buried in national cemetery 2. Plot reserved for spouse 3. Spouse buried later in same plot 4. Headstone updated with spouse information
Spouse dies first (less common): 1. Must have veteran’s approval for spouse burial 2. Spouse buried in reserved plot 3. Veteran buried later
Pre-need planning recommended to ensure coordination
Cremated Remains Options
More flexibility with cremation: – Multiple cremated remains in single plot – Columbarium niches for two or more – Space-efficient
What’s NOT Included for Spouses and Dependents
Benefits Veterans Receive That Families Don’t
Not available to spouses/dependents: – VA burial allowance (veteran-only) – Military funeral honors (veteran-only) – Burial flag (veteran-only) – Presidential Memorial Certificate (veteran-only)
Headstone inscription: – Can include spouse/dependent information – But no military designations for non-veterans
Eligibility Requirements
Veteran Must Be Eligible
Spouse/dependent eligibility depends on veteran’s eligibility: – Veteran must qualify for national cemetery burial – Discharged under conditions other than dishonorable – Completed required service
If veteran not eligible, family not eligible for national cemetery burial with them
Burial Location Requirements
Generally must be buried in national cemetery: – Spouse/dependent benefits primarily for national cemetery burial – Benefits don’t extend to private cemeteries (in most cases)
Exception: Government headstone may be provided for spouse buried with eligible veteran in private cemetery
Documentation Required
To prove spouse eligibility: – Marriage certificate – Veteran’s DD-214 – Death certificate (for deceased parties) – Proof of non-remarriage (affidavit)
To prove dependent eligibility: – Birth certificate – Proof of disability and dependency (for adult disabled children) – Medical records
How to Apply
Pre-Need Application
Apply before death:
Benefits: – Confirm eligibility in advance – Peace of mind – Simplifies arrangements later
Process: – Veteran and spouse/dependent apply together – Or spouse applies after veteran’s burial – Complete VA Form 40-10007
Submit to: Any national cemetery or online at www.va.gov
At-Need Application
After death:
Contact National Cemetery Scheduling Office: – Call 1-800-535-1117 – Provide veteran and family member information – Present required documentation
Funeral director assists: – Most funeral homes coordinate with national cemeteries – Handle paperwork and scheduling
Special Circumstances
Remarried Spouses
General rule: Remarriage ends eligibility
If surviving spouse remarries: – Loses national cemetery burial eligibility with veteran – Cannot be buried in national cemetery with first spouse
Exception: If subsequent spouse also veteran, may be buried with second spouse based on their eligibility
Divorced Spouses
Former spouses generally not eligible for burial with veteran
Rare exceptions may exist; consult with VA
Multiple Marriages
Which spouse gets buried with veteran? – Veteran’s current/last spouse typically eligible – Former spouses generally not eligible – Pre-deceased spouse may already be buried with veteran
Estranged Families
Legal spouse remains eligible even if estranged, unless divorced
Family disputes: – Legal spouse has rights – Veteran can designate in advance – Courts may need to resolve disputes
State Veterans Cemeteries
Similar Benefits at State Level
State veterans cemeteries also allow spouse and dependent burial
Benefits comparable: – Burial with veteran – No cost for gravesite – Perpetual care – Headstone
Eligibility: – Similar to national cemeteries – May have state residency requirements – Check with specific state cemetery
Financial Considerations
No Cost for Burial Space
National cemetery provides free: – Gravesite for spouse/dependent – Opening and closing grave – Perpetual care – Government headstone
Costs Family Pays
Funeral expenses: – Funeral home services ($2,000-$5,000) – Casket or urn ($500-$3,000) – Transportation to cemetery – Death certificates
Total family cost: $2,500-$8,000 typically (similar to veteran’s cost)
No VA burial allowance to offset costs for spouses/dependents
Planning Ahead
Pre-Need Determination
Apply in advance: – Confirm spouse/dependent eligibility – Receive approval letter – Keep with important documents
Coordinate with veteran’s planning: – Discuss burial wishes together – Document preferences – Inform other family members
Documentation to Keep
Important papers: – Marriage certificate – Veteran’s DD-214 – Pre-need approval letters – Burial wishes document
Store together with other vital records
Common Questions
Can my spouse be buried with me in a national cemetery? Yes, if you’re an eligible veteran and your spouse meets requirements (legally married, not remarried if surviving spouse).
Does my spouse get military honors? No, military honors are reserved for veterans who served in the military.
Do we need two gravesites? No, spouse and veteran can share one gravesite through double-depth burial.
What if my spouse dies first? Your spouse can be buried first in the reserved plot, and you’ll be buried there later.
Will my spouse get a separate headstone? Typically one headstone includes both names, but adjacent plots may have individual headstones.
Can children be buried with us? Yes, eligible dependent children can be buried in the family plot.
Does remarriage affect eligibility? Yes, if a surviving spouse remarries, they generally lose eligibility for national cemetery burial with their first spouse.
Can we plan this in advance? Yes, and it’s highly recommended. Apply for pre-need determination to confirm eligibility.
Key Takeaways
Burial benefits for veterans’ families:
- Eligible spouses can be buried with veteran in national cemetery at no cost
- Dependent children also eligible under specific circumstances
- Benefits include gravesite, opening/closing, perpetual care, headstone
- No VA burial allowance for spouses/dependents (veteran-only benefit)
- No military honors for family members (veteran-only)
- Remarriage generally ends surviving spouse eligibility
- Apply through National Cemetery Scheduling Office at 1-800-535-1117
- Pre-need planning recommended to confirm eligibility
- Similar benefits available at state veterans cemeteries
Veterans’ families can remain together through burial in national cemeteries.
Veterans Spouse and Dependent Burial Benefits at Monte Vista Memorial Gardens
Monte Vista Memorial Gardens assists families with understanding burial benefits for veterans’ spouses and dependents. We help coordinate national cemetery arrangements, answer eligibility questions, and ensure families can be buried together.
Call 510-299-1174 to discuss burial benefits for veterans’ spouses and dependents.