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Veterans’ Burial Improvement Act of 2025

USA119th CongressHR-6814| House 
| Updated: 1/22/2026
Chris Pappas

Chris Pappas

Democratic Representative

New Hampshire

Cosponsors (1)
James C. Moylan (Republican)

Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs Subcommittee, Veterans' Affairs Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
This legislation, known as the "Veterans' Burial Improvement Act of 2025," permanently extends the Department of Veterans Affairs' authority to provide burial benefits for spouses and dependent children who predecease active duty service members. This includes the provision of headstones, markers, and interment in national cemeteries, by removing a previous expiration date. The bill also introduces the option for the Secretary to furnish group headstones or markers at burial locations containing multiple eligible individuals, offering a flexible approach to memorialization while requiring coordination with property owners. A key provision significantly expands the VA's authority to cover transportation costs for deceased veterans' burials . It establishes a new transportation allowance of $745, which will be adjusted for inflation, for "covered deceased veterans" buried in "covered veterans' cemeteries." For veterans who die in VA facilities or under contracted care, the VA is mandated to pay the actual cost of transporting the body to the burial site within a State, ensuring support for families during a difficult time. The bill defines "covered deceased veterans" to include those with service-connected disabilities, those receiving disability compensation, or those without next of kin or sufficient resources for burial. Furthermore, it broadens eligibility for VA plot or interment allowances to encompass veterans discharged under other than dishonorable conditions who would otherwise qualify for national cemetery burial but for minimum active duty service requirements, along with their spouses and dependent children, thereby extending crucial support to more veteran families.
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Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 118-9055
Veterans’ Burial Improvement Act of 2024
Dec 17, 2025
Introduced in House
Dec 17, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Jan 22, 2026
Referred to the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 118-9055
    Veterans’ Burial Improvement Act of 2024


  • December 17, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • December 17, 2025
    Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.


  • January 22, 2026
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.

Armed Forces and National Security

Veterans’ Burial Improvement Act of 2025

USA119th CongressHR-6814| House 
| Updated: 1/22/2026
This legislation, known as the "Veterans' Burial Improvement Act of 2025," permanently extends the Department of Veterans Affairs' authority to provide burial benefits for spouses and dependent children who predecease active duty service members. This includes the provision of headstones, markers, and interment in national cemeteries, by removing a previous expiration date. The bill also introduces the option for the Secretary to furnish group headstones or markers at burial locations containing multiple eligible individuals, offering a flexible approach to memorialization while requiring coordination with property owners. A key provision significantly expands the VA's authority to cover transportation costs for deceased veterans' burials . It establishes a new transportation allowance of $745, which will be adjusted for inflation, for "covered deceased veterans" buried in "covered veterans' cemeteries." For veterans who die in VA facilities or under contracted care, the VA is mandated to pay the actual cost of transporting the body to the burial site within a State, ensuring support for families during a difficult time. The bill defines "covered deceased veterans" to include those with service-connected disabilities, those receiving disability compensation, or those without next of kin or sufficient resources for burial. Furthermore, it broadens eligibility for VA plot or interment allowances to encompass veterans discharged under other than dishonorable conditions who would otherwise qualify for national cemetery burial but for minimum active duty service requirements, along with their spouses and dependent children, thereby extending crucial support to more veteran families.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 118-9055
Veterans’ Burial Improvement Act of 2024
Dec 17, 2025
Introduced in House
Dec 17, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Jan 22, 2026
Referred to the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 118-9055
    Veterans’ Burial Improvement Act of 2024


  • December 17, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • December 17, 2025
    Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.


  • January 22, 2026
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.
Chris Pappas

Chris Pappas

Democratic Representative

New Hampshire

Cosponsors (1)
James C. Moylan (Republican)

Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs Subcommittee, Veterans' Affairs Committee

Armed Forces and National Security

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted