Burial Benefits for Spouses of Veterans

By Paul Bright

The death of a veteran can leave a spouse ill prepared, especially if he dies in the line of duty. The federal government, to include the Veterans Administration, offers assistance to surviving spouses. Their help includes paying for burial costs, arranging transportation and offering financial compensation and bereavement counseling.

The Veterans Administration (VA) pays up to $2,000 toward burial expenses for any deaths after September 11, 2001, if the death was service related; $1,500 is paid for deaths before that day. For nonservice related deaths, the VA pays up to $300 toward burial and funeral expenses and $300 for a plot internment allowance. Transportation costs to the burial site are also paid for if the veteran died in a VA hospital.

The government will reimburse up to $1,000 for private ceremonies in government cemeteries. Up to $8,000 is reimbursable for burial in a private cemetery. Transportation costs to the funeral site are also covered for the immediate family, which includes the veteran's siblings. When no other immediate family members are available, the surviving spouse can elect two other close family members.

Bereavement counseling is available, free of charge, for surviving spouses, parents and children. This counseling includes outreach and referral services. Counseling takes place in Veterans Centers, which are located nationwide.

The Department of Defense pays a $100,000 death gratuity for spouses of veterans who died in service or within 120 days from service release if death is from a service-connected disability. This can be paid among beneficiaries as determined by the veteran's will.

The Survivor Benefit plan allows for up to 55 percent of the veteran's retirement pay at 100 percent disability to be paid to family members. This is paid as an annuity. The annuity is suspended for spouses who remarry, unless the marriage ends by death or divorce.

When the veteran elects to be covered by the Veterans Administrations Servicemember's Group Life Insurance (SGLI), surviving spouses are entitled to nontaxable benefits of up to $400,000. Payments begin around 45 days after death and will be made either in 36 equal monthly payments or in one lump sum. Veterans who didn't select a beneficiary automatically have benefits paid to the spouse. When no surviving spouse is available, children equally split the benefits.

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