Military funerals are a respectful way to honor the memories of those who served in the American armed forces, and part of their costs are covered by the government. The average funeral in the U.S. costs around $10,000, but military funeral costs can exceed that, depending on desired services. With those costs in mind, how much assistance does the government provide?
Many factors affect how much financial support the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs offers. However, you can ensure your family doesn’t have to count on unreliable government assistance by covering your end-of-life expenses ahead of time with burial insurance.
If you’d like to learn more about burial insurance and how it can fit your military funeral plans, contact Final Expense Benefits. As experts in burial insurance, our agents can help you find a policy to take care of your needs on any budget.
To learn more, call us at (866) 786-0725 Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET. Or check our free online quoting tool and funeral cost calculator to help make a thorough plan for your last wishes.
Key takeaways
Military funerals are a great way to honor a veteran’s memory, but they can add more than $3,000 to a funeral’s total cost.
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) covers some of the costs for veteran funerals.
VA burial allowance amounts vary if the veteran died in active duty or if their death was service-related.
Loved ones have two years to claim VA burial allowances.
What Is A Military Funeral?
A military funeral is a special memorial service provided to eligible veterans, including active duty members, retired personnel, and certain military reservists or members of the National Guard. Services vary depending on family wishes, but often include:
- A United States flag draped over the casket
- Burial in a national cemetery
- The playing of “Taps” by a bugler or recording
- A rifle volley by a military honor guard
- A ceremonial folding and presentation of the flag to the next of kin
Ceremonial services must be coordinated between family members, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), and the funeral home, and may add extra costs.
How Much Does a Military Funeral Cost?
Per the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA), the average funeral in 2025 costs nearly $10,000. These costs are on the rise, and this estimate doesn’t account for additional costs like family burial plots, grave markers, monuments, or flowers.
Military funerals add extra fees for rifle salute ceremonies, flag presentation, a “Taps” performance, and more — up to $3,000 more. Per the VA, veterans and their spouses and children are entitled to partial burial and grave marker coverage if they choose to be buried in a national cemetery.
If you have specific military funeral wishes, it’s wise to start planning early by contacting the VA and your desired funeral home. Funeral homes are required to provide a cost breakdown. The VA can help you determine how much they’ll cover and what you’ll need to pay for desired services.
Consider burial insurance to help with the rest. Quality plans are available for as little as $30 monthly. Contact Final Expense Benefits at (866) 786-0725 to find a plan tailored to your needs.
How to Claim Military Funeral Reimbursements
To claim military funeral reimbursements, gather these documents:
- The deceased veteran’s death certificate
- Itemized transportation cost receipt (if claiming the transportation reimbursement)
- A copy of the deceased veteran’s DD214 military discharge documents (or other separation documents)
- The deceased veteran’s medical records (if claiming for a service-related death)
Once you gather all these documents, submit your reimbursement request through the VA’s online portal.
Veterans Affairs Reimbursements: How Much Does The Government Pay?
If you choose to have a military funeral, your designated beneficiaries will receive an allowance for burial expenses. The payout depends on how and when you die. Here’s what you need to know:
1
Burial Reimbursements
Unfortunately, it’s unlikely that the government will completely cover military funeral expenses. Here’s how much your family will receive:
- Death connected to armed forces service:
$2,000. Some additional costs may be covered if the veteran is buried in a VA national cemetery. - Non-service-connected death:
$978 burial allowance and $978 for plot allowance (if the veteran died after October 1, 2024)
Values change depending on when the veteran died, if they died while hospitalized by the VA, and more. The VA also offers a $231 headstone or grave marker allowance if the veteran died after 2021.
For non-service-related deaths, reimbursement benefits must be claimed within two years of the veteran’s burial. Service-related deaths and non-service-related ones while receiving VA medical care don’t have a claim filing limit.
2
Transportation Reimbursement
The government may pay for transportation if the veteran’s remains are being transported for burial in a VA national cemetery. Transportation can cost over $945, so having these costs covered can help.
However, the burial, marker, and transportation reimbursements are the only funeral allowance the VA offers. While the VA may pay for over $2,000 of your funeral costs, this only covers 20% of the average cost of a funeral. How should you take care of the rest?
Cover Military Funeral Costs With Burial Insurance
Though the VA offers substantial military funeral assistance, it’s not enough to pay for the entire funeral. With average funeral costs nearing $10,000 and rising yearly, it’s a good idea to plan ahead with burial insurance.
Also called final expense insurance, burial insurance is a type of whole life insurance designed to be accessible and affordable for seniors. Premium rates are locked at the policy’s start, policies grow in cash value over time, and benefit payouts will never decrease, offering significant reliability to seniors.
Average benefit payouts range from $5,000 to $50,000, plenty to pay for funeral costs and more.
Many policies are available without a waiting period and offer relaxed medical underwriting guidelines, great for seniors with pre-existing health conditions.
Final Expense Benefits works with over 20 of the top burial insurance providers and can help you find a great policy for your needs and budget. Below are sample rates for a benchmark $10,000 burial policy from our top providers for a non-smoking applicant with no pre-existing conditions.
| Company |
Male 50y/o |
Female 50y/o |
Male 60y/o |
Female 60y/o |
Male 70y/o |
Female 70y/o |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
$34 |
$27 |
$50 |
$40 |
$70 |
$56 |
|
|
$31 |
$26 |
$43 |
$35 |
$71 |
$53 |
|
|
$31 |
$24 |
$44 |
$33 |
$75 |
$53 |
|
|
$34 |
$29 |
$45 |
$35 |
$79 |
$59 |
|
|
$33 |
$26 |
$48 |
$36 |
$82 |
$58 |
These figures are estimates only, based on a $10,000 final expense insurance policy with no applicant pre-existing conditions.
If you’re interested in these or any of our great life insurance partners, contact Final Expense Benefits today to learn more, or check our free online quoting tool for a no-pressure personalized pricing estimate.
Final Thoughts
Military funerals can be a great way to respect the memory of a veteran, but they can be pricey. The VA provides limited assistance, but your loved ones likely will need to pay for over 80% of funeral costs.
Burial insurance offers an affordable and accessible method to cover those costs ahead of time. As experts in the burial insurance market, Final Expense Benefits can help you find a great policy for any budget.
To learn more about your burial insurance options, call us at (866) 786-0725 Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET. Our funeral cost calculator can help you determine how much coverage you’ll need.
FAQ
Are all veterans entitled to a military funeral?
Most veterans are eligible for military funerals and payment assistance from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). However, this burial allowance may not be dispensed if the deceased died while on active duty, serving as a member of Congress, or serving a federal prison sentence.
Will the government pay for a military funeral?
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs pays an allowance for burial, transportation, and grave marker costs, but it only covers around 20% of average funeral costs.
Can you have both a Masonic and military funeral?
A Masonic funeral service is a special funeral reserved for members of the Freemasons, a fraternity that believes in helping others and moral discipline. If you served in the U.S. military and are a member of the Freemasons, you can have a Masonic and military funeral.
What song do they play at military funerals?
The famous bugle song “Taps” has been mandated to play at all military funerals since 1891.
What is burial insurance?
Burial insurance is a low-cost type of whole life insurance designed to offer seniors accessible, affordable coverage. Average benefit payouts range from around $5,000 to $50,000 and are typically used to pay costs for funerals, cremations, burial plots, and other end-of-life expenses.
How much does a military funeral cost?
In 2025, average funeral costs in the U.S. are around $10,000, which is why most sample burial insurance quotes are for $10,000 policies. Additional military funeral services, including playing “Taps”, a flag draping and presentation ceremony, and an honor guard salute, can add up to $3,000 more. Check our free funeral cost calculator to see how much coverage you need.
