Veterans Funeral Benefits in Georgia (2025): What Families Are Entitled To

VA Burial Allowance: The Cash Benefit

The VA pays a burial allowance to help offset funeral and burial costs for eligible veterans. The amounts adjust annually on October 1.

The burial allowance covers funeral and burial costs. The plot or interment allowance covers the cost of the burial plot in a private cemetery. If the veteran is buried in a VA national cemetery or a Georgia State Veterans Cemetery, the plot allowance generally does not apply (because burial there is already free).

For service-connected deaths — meaning the veteran's death was related to a service-connected condition — the burial allowance increases to $2,000. The VA may also reimburse some or all transportation costs to the burial site for service-connected deaths.

Who Qualifies for the VA Burial Allowance?

To be eligible, the veteran generally must have:

• Served on active duty and been discharged under conditions other than dishonorable
• Been receiving VA pension or compensation at the time of death, OR
• Died in a VA facility, OR
• Had a service-connected condition at the time of death

Veterans who were dishonorably discharged are not eligible. Contact the VA at 1-800-827-1000 if you're unsure about eligibility.

Free Burial in Georgia Veterans Cemeteries

Georgia has two State Veterans Memorial Cemeteries that provide free burial to eligible veterans and their immediate family members. These are maintained by the Georgia Department of Veterans Service.

Georgia Veterans Memorial Cemetery — Glennville

• Location: U.S. Highway 301 North, Glennville, GA 31407
• Phone: (912) 654-5398
• Opened: 2007
• Features: 43-acre facility, welcome center, chapel, in-ground burial areas, columbarium for cremated remains

Georgia Veterans Memorial Cemetery — Milledgeville

• Location: 2617 Vinson Highway, Milledgeville, GA 31061
• Phone: (478) 445-3363
• Hours: Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m. (closed state holidays)
• Features: Welcome center, chapel, in-ground burial, columbarium

Eligible veterans buried at either Georgia state cemetery receive: a burial space, a government-provided headstone or marker, and perpetual care. Spouses and dependents may also be buried there at no cost to the family.

VA National Cemeteries Near Atlanta

Two VA national cemeteries serve the Atlanta metro area:

• Georgia National Cemetery — Canton, GA (35 miles north of Atlanta)
• Marietta National Cemetery — Marietta, GA (20 miles northwest of Atlanta)

Burial in a VA national cemetery is completely free for eligible veterans and includes the grave, opening and closing, government headstone or marker, and ongoing maintenance. Contact the National Cemetery Scheduling Office at 1-800-535-1117.

Government Headstones and Grave Markers

The VA provides a government headstone or grave marker at no cost for any eligible veteran buried in any cemetery — including private cemeteries. The family or funeral home applies using VA Form 40-1330. Options include:

• Upright marble or granite headstones
• Flat granite or marble grave markers
• Bronze markers for placement on private headstones
• Niche markers for columbarium placement

The only cost to the family is the setting fee charged by the cemetery, which is typically $100–$300 in the Atlanta area.

Presidential Memorial Certificates

The President of the United States issues a Presidential Memorial Certificate — a signed parchment certificate expressing the nation's gratitude for the veteran's service. These are free and available to the next of kin, other relatives, or friends upon request. Apply through the VA at va.gov or through your local VA Regional Office in Atlanta (1700 Clairmont Road, Decatur, GA 30033).

How to Apply: VA Form 21P-530EZ

To claim the VA burial allowance, file VA Form 21P-530EZ (Application for Burial Benefits). Here's how:

1. Online (fastest): Apply at va.gov/burials-memorials/veterans-burial-allowance
2. By mail: Send to the Pension Management Center serving Georgia: Philadelphia VA Regional Office, P.O. Box 521, Philadelphia, PA 19101
3. In person: Atlanta VA Regional Office, 1700 Clairmont Road, Decatur, GA 30033. Phone: 1-800-827-1000

What to Attach to Your Application

• Veteran's DD-214 (proof of military service)
• Death certificate
• Funeral home itemized bill (paid receipts)
• Cemetery bill (if applicable)
• Proof of relationship to the veteran (marriage certificate, birth certificate)

Deadline: You have up to two years from the date the burial expenses were paid to file your claim. Don't delay — gather receipts immediately after the funeral.

Other Benefits Atlanta-Area Veterans Families Should Know

Georgia Property Tax Exemption

The surviving spouse of a veteran who was killed in action or died as a result of a service-connected disability may qualify for a property tax exemption in Georgia. Contact your county tax assessor's office.

Georgia Veterans Service Organization (VSO) Assistance

Free help filing VA claims is available through accredited Veterans Service Organizations. In Atlanta, contact:

• Georgia Department of Veterans Service: veterans.georgia.gov
• American Legion Post 140 (Atlanta)
• Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Atlanta Chapter

VSO representatives are accredited by the VA and provide free claims assistance at no charge.

Frequently Asked Questions