Mesothelioma VA Burial Benefits

Q: Can you claim for mesothelioma after death?

Yes. You may be able to claim VA burial benefits for mesothelioma if a veteran in your family died from this cancer. Generally speaking, most families qualify for VA burial benefits as long as the veteran who passed away wasn’t dishonorably discharged. If a veteran has died from a service-related injury or illness (like mesothelioma), their families may qualify for higher VA burial benefit payouts than those who didn't.

Q: How long does it take to get VA burial benefits?

It can take up to a few months to get mesothelioma VA burial benefits after filing. However, when you work with our VA-accredited attorneys, the process may be shorter and easier. Contact us now to find out if you qualify for VA benefits and get help accessing them.

Mesothelioma VA Burial Benefits Explained

Military service members put their lives at stake to defend our country. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers a wide range of funeral benefits to honor veterans who pass away.

The most notable benefit is burial reimbursement. This means that the VA will cover most or all burial expenses, easing the stress on an eligible veteran’s family.

Many veterans with mesothelioma developed this cancer from military asbestos exposure, so if they pass away from it, they typically get the highest payouts available.

Other mesothelioma VA burial benefits include:

Burial in a VA cemetery
Funeral honors
Headstones, medallions, or markers
Memorial flags
Opening and closing of the grave
Perpetual grave care
Presidential Memorial Certificates (PMCs)

Our VA-accredited attorneys can help you access mesothelioma burial benefits and additional VA payouts, plus pursue compensation through private claims. Get started right now.

VA Burial Reimbursement

Many U.S. military veterans will qualify for some form of burial reimbursement, so long as they were not dishonorably discharged. Through this VA benefit, many or all funeral costs are covered.

Learn about the different VA burial reimbursement options available to families who lost a veteran to mesothelioma, lung cancer, or another asbestos-related illness below.

Free Burials in VA Cemeteries

The VA covers all funeral expenses if a veteran is buried in a national VA cemetery, including headstones and other burial honors.

The VA may also reimburse families for the costs of moving a veteran’s remains for burial in a national cemetery.

VA Burial Allowance for Service-Related Deaths

The VA provides a burial allowance of up to $2,000 tax-free for veterans who died from service-related health problems and won’t be buried in a national VA cemetery. The maximum allowance is $1,500 if the veteran died before September 11, 2001.

Did you know?

Many veterans have developed mesothelioma due to asbestos exposure while serving, and their family may be eligible for the maximum burial allowance if they pass away from this cancer.

There is no time limit to access a burial allowance for a service-related death, so even if a veteran you died years ago, you could qualify. Call (877) 450-8973 now to access mesothelioma VA burial benefits with our team’s help.

Burial Allowance for Deaths Not Related to Military Service

If a veteran dies from mesothelioma or another condition not connected to military service, their families may still qualify for a burial allowance. Compensation amounts in these cases range from $1,034 to $1,956 as of 2026.

If a veteran died on or after October 1, 2025, the VA awards $1,002 for their gravesite and burial. Lower amounts are paid if a veteran died before this date.

Families have two years to file for a VA burial allowance if a veteran’s death is not service-related.

Applying for Burial in a VA Cemetery

If a veteran wants to be buried in a national or state VA cemetery, they can file an application before their death that specifies which one they prefer. The VA doesn’t allow grave plots to be reserved ahead of time, but will do all it can to accommodate the veteran’s wishes.

Family members can also arrange for burial in a VA cemetery if a veteran didn’t file before their passing.

To do so, they must follow these steps:

Gather a veteran’s discharge papers (DD Form 214)
Collect documents related to the death (such as medical records)
Specify where and how they would like the veteran to be buried (cremation or casket)
Note the type of grave memorial they want (headstone, medallion, marker, etc.)
Request any other honors (funeral honors, burial flag, memorial certificate)

A veteran’s loved ones or their funeral director can call 800-535-1117 to schedule a burial with the National Cemetery Scheduling Office using the information above. Spouses or children could also qualify for burial in VA cemeteries.

Do you have questions on VA Burial Benefits? Ask VA-Accredited Attorney Jonathan Nelson now!

Can Veterans Be Buried In a Private Cemetery?

Yes, veterans can be buried in a private cemetery, and family members can still receive burial benefits. If a veteran will be buried in a private cemetery, VA burial reimbursement may help cover many of the expenses.

However, the VA recommends that families look at the costs of a private burial ahead of time, as some cemeteries may charge extra fees for grave placement and maintenance.

Veterans Headstones, Markers, and Medallions

The VA provides two main identification options for a veteran’s grave: headstones (which sit upright) and markers (which lie flat on the ground).

Here’s how to get headstones or markers depending on the cemetery:

If the veteran is buried in a VA cemetery, the headstone or marker will be ordered at no cost. Family members must specify which one they want and what the inscription should read when scheduling a funeral.
If the veteran is buried in a private cemetery, a family member can fill out VA Form 40-1330 (Claim for Standard Government Headstone or Marker) to get a headstone or marker for free from the VA.

A veteran’s family can receive a medallion if the veteran’s grave has a privately purchased marker or headstone. This medallion can then be placed on the grave. Use VA Form 40-1330 to apply for a medallion.

Contact us to see if you qualify for mesothelioma VA burial benefits. Fellow veterans, VA-accredited mesothelioma lawyers, and patient advocates can help you right now.

Other VA Burial Benefits for Mesothelioma Patients

A veteran’s family may qualify for additional burial-related benefits like funeral honors, burial flags, and memorial certificates from the current president. Learn about these additional benefits below.

Funeral Honors for Veterans With Mesothelioma

With U.S. military funeral honors, an honor guard made up of current service members will be present at the veteran’s funeral.

At least one member of the honor guard will be a member of the veteran’s branch of service. Funeral honors come at no cost to the veteran’s family.

Your loved one may be eligible for VA funeral honors if they were:

A service member on active duty
A service member in the Selected Reserve
Honorably discharged

You must provide proof that the veteran was not dishonorably discharged, such as DD Form 214 (standard discharge papers).

You can request funeral honors when scheduling a veteran’s burial. You or your funeral director can make the request when speaking to the National Cemetery Scheduling Office.

Burial Flags

Surviving spouses or other family members can request an American flag to place over the veteran’s casket or to accompany their urn.

To do so, fill out VA Form 27-2008 (Application For United States Flag For Burial Purposes) and bring it to a VA regional office, a U.S. post office, or a funeral home.

Presidential Memorial Certificate (PMC)

This engraved paper is signed by the current U.S. president to honor the veteran’s life.

Family members automatically receive a PMC if the veteran is buried in a national VA cemetery. They can request a PMC if the veteran is buried in a private cemetery.

Why Seek Mesothelioma VA Burial Benefits?

Burial benefits allow you and your family to give a veteran you love the final send-off they deserve.

Through mesothelioma VA burial benefits, you can:

Cover most or all expenses: The last thing you need is to worry about funeral costs while grieving a veteran’s passing. VA burial allowances help cover these funeral expenses.
Give your loved one a dignified funeral: Veterans of the U.S. armed forces never knew that asbestos — a mineral widely used in military bases, vehicles, and Navy ships — could cause cancer. These veterans deserve a proper burial if asbestos exposure during military service led to their death.
Recognize the veteran’s service: From burial in a national cemetery to a PMC and other memorial items, funeral benefits and honors help ensure that a veteran’s service will never be forgotten.

Get help accessing mesothelioma VA burial benefits and other resources right now at no cost to you.

Access Mesothelioma VA Burial Benefits With Our Help

The Mesothelioma Veterans Center was founded by U.S. veterans and their loved ones. Today and every day, we’re proud to help veterans and their families get the VA benefits, health care, and support they deserve.

Our VA-accredited attorneys and claims agents can help you or your family members file a claim to get burial reimbursements quickly and simply.

By working with us, you can:

Find out if your loved one qualifies for mesothelioma VA burial benefits
Gather evidence (like military documents) and properly file a VA claim
Receive burial benefits and any other resources that you’re entitled to

We have helped thousands of veterans get the compensation they deserve, and we’re ready to assist you as well. Get help filing for mesothelioma VA burial benefits right now.

Mesothelioma VA Burial Benefits FAQs

How much does the VA give you for burial?

The VA may cover all the costs of a veteran’s funeral if they are buried in a VA cemetery.

If the deceased veteran is buried in a civilian cemetery, the VA pays between $1,034 and $2,000. How much money you’ll receive depends on whether the veteran died from a service-related condition or not, when they died, and other factors.

Call (877) 450-8973 now for help maximizing mesothelioma veterans benefits.

Can you claim for mesothelioma after death?

Yes. You may be able to claim VA burial benefits for mesothelioma if a veteran in your family died from this cancer.

Generally speaking, most families qualify for VA burial benefits as long as the veteran who passed away wasn’t dishonorably discharged.

If a veteran has died from a service-related injury or illness (like mesothelioma), their families may qualify for higher VA burial benefit payouts than those who didn't.

How long does it take to get VA burial benefits?

It can take up to a few months to get mesothelioma VA burial benefits after filing. However, when you work with our VA-accredited attorneys, the process may be shorter and easier.

How do I file for mesothelioma VA burial benefits?

We can help you file for mesothelioma VA burial benefits right now. We have VA-accredited attorneys on staff who can walk you through the claims process at no cost and get you all the benefits you deserve.

We’ve helped other veterans from all branches of the military get benefits like VA disability compensation, VA pensions and survivors pensions, special monthly compensation, and VA health care benefits to access free or low-cost mesothelioma treatment.

Do veterans get a special burial?

Yes, veterans who passed away from mesothelioma or another reason may get special funeral honors, such as an American flag draped over their casket and a gun salute.

You can request these funeral honors by speaking with the National Cemetery Scheduling Office.

Do all veterans qualify for VA burial benefits?

Generally speaking, all veterans who were honorably discharged qualify for VA burial benefits. Dishonorably discharged veterans typically are not longer eligible.

Call (877) 450-8973 for help accessing benefits and other key resources if a veteran you love passed away from mesothelioma.