Burial Benefits

Veterans whose DD214 or military discharge or separation documents show a character of discharge of “Honorable,” “Under Honorable Conditions,” or “General;” and is

Any person who:

• Died in the Active Military, Naval, or Air Service of the United States Armed Forces (Army, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard)
• Had one or more days of Active Duty Service:
  • As an enlisted person in a regular component on or before September 7, 1980; or
  • As an officer commissioned or entered into active duty on or before October 16, 1981.
• Had at least 24 consecutive months* of Active Duty Service:
  • As an enlisted person in a regular component after September 7, 1980; or
  • As an officer commissioned or entered into active duty after October 16, 1981.
• Was a certain member of reserve components and Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC).
• Served as reservist or National Guard member and was called to active duty for a limited duration and completed the full-term of active duty service.* (Eligibility is not established by active duty for training in the Reserves or National Guard).
• Served during wartime.
• Is a qualifying World War II Merchant Marine.
• Died on active duty after May 27, 1941.
• Served after Jan. 31, 1955.
• Served during peacetime and were discharged before June 27, 1950.
• Served in the organized military forces of the Commonwealth of the Philippines while in service of the U.S. Armed Forces and who died on or after April 25, 1951.
• Was a commissioned officer of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the U.S. Public Health Service (PHS).
• Was a certain former member of the Selected Reserves.*
• Spouse and dependent children* of veteran.
• Certain other family members* of veteran.
   

*The above eligibility requirements are general and there are additional factors and laws that affect eligibility.

Eligibility requirements for a Texas State Veterans Cemetery are the same as for a U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) National Cemetery. For detailed eligibility requirements, please visit the VA Website or call the VA toll-free burial benefits number at 1-800-827-1000. If you have any questions about eligibility, please call us at the Texas Veterans Land Board at 800-252-8387.

Veterans whose DD Form 214, discharge document, or separation document shows a character of discharge of “Other Than Honorable,” “Under Other Than Honorable Conditions,” “Under Conditions Less Than Honorable,” “Uncharacterized,” or “Unknown” should take their documents to a local Veterans County Service Officer or VA Regional Office to apply for a discharge upgrade.

Texas Military Forces (TXMF)** members may be interred in a Texas State Veterans Cemetery if they are:

• Killed on state active duty; or
• Killed during state training and other duty as defined in Chapter 437 of the Texas Government Code.
   

This benefit is exclusive to Texas Military Forces members with no prior active duty military service in the regular component of the U.S. Armed Forces.

**Texas Military Forces (TXMF) means the Texas National Guard, the Texas State Guard, and any other military force organized under state law.

Texas National Guard means the Texas Army National Guard and the Texas Air National Guard.

Texas State Guard means the volunteer military forces that provide community service and emergency response activities for this state, as organized under the Second Amendment to the United States Constitution, and operating as a defense force authorized under 32 USC Section 109.

Texas Military Forces (TXMF) Members

The burial benefit for an eligible TXMF member includes the same Interment Options as listed above.

Additionally, the burial benefit comprises military honors (provided by State Color Guard), grave plot, opening and closing of the grave, a concrete grave liner for casketed burials, a headstone or marker (provided by State), a (Texas) burial flag presentation to the next of kin; a Gubernatorial Memorial Certificate, playing of Taps, a gun salute (in certain instances, or if available) and perpetual care of the grave. The Texas State Veterans Cemetery where the individual is to be interred will provide a Texas burial flag to accompany the TXMF member’s casket or urn and may assist with requesting military honors (State Color Guard) through the Veterans Land Board and/or Texas Military Department.

The burial benefit does not cover funeral home charges such as the cost of a casket, cremation, viewing, flower cars, or transportation of the remains and family; however, there are no costs for anything at the Texas State Veterans Cemeteries.