- Honorably discharged veterans may receive a free gravesite, government headstone, and burial flag at a VA national cemetery.
- A military funeral honors detail can be requested for any eligible veteran's service, even at a private cemetery.
- The VA burial allowance is modest and reimbursement-based — it rarely covers the full funeral invoice.
- Most surviving families still owe thousands out of pocket, which is why a final expense policy closes the gap.
"Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends."
Across Northeast Arkansas, I have had the honor of sitting with many veterans and their spouses — folks who served their country with quiet dignity and now want to make sure their families are not left with a burden. One of the most common questions I hear is: 'Brad, doesn't the VA pay for everything?' The honest answer is more complicated than most families expect.
If a veteran received an honorable discharge, the Department of Veterans Affairs does provide several meaningful burial benefits. The most valuable is eligibility for burial in one of our nation's VA national cemeteries, where the gravesite, opening and closing, a government headstone or marker, a burial flag, and perpetual care are provided at no cost. For Arkansas families, the closest national cemeteries include the Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery at North Little Rock and Fayetteville National Cemetery, with eligible plots available through the VA.
Any veteran with qualifying discharge is also entitled to military funeral honors — a detail that folds the flag and plays taps — regardless of whether burial is at a national or private cemetery. This is one of the most deeply moving moments of a service, and it is a benefit every eligible veteran should claim.
Where families get confused is the VA burial allowance. For a service-connected death, the VA may reimburse up to $2,000 toward burial expenses. For a non-service-connected death, the allowance is generally up to $300 toward burial and a modest amount toward a plot. These are reimbursement payments — meaning the family pays the funeral home first and files a claim afterward — and they do not begin to cover the $9,000 to $15,000 a traditional funeral can cost.
Let me be clear about the gap so you can plan honestly.
Itemized Arkansas Cost Comparison
| Burial Expense | VA National Cemetery | Private Cemetery in AR |
|---|---|---|
| Gravesite & Plot | Covered (free) | $1,500 – $3,500 |
| Grave Opening & Closing | Covered (free) | $800 – $1,400 |
| Government Headstone/Marker | Covered (free) | Free if eligible, set ~$300 |
| Burial Flag & Military Honors | Included | Included (request via funeral home) |
| Funeral Home Basic Services | Not covered | $2,200 (family pays) |
| Casket or Urn | Not covered | $150 – $2,500 (family pays) |
| Service & Visitation Facility | Not covered | $600 – $1,200 (family pays) |
| VA Burial Allowance (non-SCD) | Up to ~$300 reimbursement | Up to ~$300 reimbursement |
| ESTIMATED FAMILY OUT-OF-POCKET | $2,000 – $5,000 | $8,000 – $14,000 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a veteran's spouse be buried in a VA national cemetery?
Yes. Eligible spouses may be buried with the veteran in a VA national cemetery at no cost, sharing the same gravesite, with their name inscribed on the shared headstone.
Does the VA pay the funeral home directly?
No. VA burial allowances are reimbursements paid to the surviving family after a claim is filed and approved. The family must settle the funeral invoice up front, which is why so many veterans' families rely on a final expense policy.
How do I request military funeral honors in Arkansas?
Your funeral home will request a military honors detail on your behalf. Provide a copy of the veteran's DD Form 214 discharge paperwork as early as possible so the detail can be scheduled.
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