Benefits for Surviving Spouses and Dependents
Reviewed by Everendium Editorial Team · Last reviewed August 18, 2026
Quick answer
Surviving spouses and dependent children of veterans may qualify for burial in a national cemetery alongside the veteran, along with potential financial benefits like Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) — a separate application process from the veteran's own burial benefits.
Beyond a veteran’s own burial benefits, surviving spouses and dependents may qualify for additional support worth understanding.
Burial benefits for spouses and dependents
Eligible spouses can generally be buried in the same national cemetery as the veteran, typically at no cost — similar to the veteran’s own burial benefits. In some cases, dependent children may also qualify.
Financial benefits: Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC)
DIC is a tax-free monthly payment potentially available to an eligible surviving spouse, child, or in some cases parent, generally tied to a veteran’s death from a service-connected condition, or certain other specific qualifying circumstances. Eligibility requirements are detailed and situation-specific — confirming directly with the VA is the most reliable way to understand what applies.
This requires a separate application
Survivor benefits are not automatic — they generally require their own application process through the VA, separate from the veteran’s own burial arrangements.
Remarriage can affect eligibility
Depending on specific circumstances and the surviving spouse’s age at the time of remarriage, some survivor benefits can be affected by remarriage. This is worth confirming directly given how situation-specific these rules tend to be.
Where to get help
A local veteran service officer — often available through veteran service organizations or county veteran affairs offices — can help navigate the specific application process and confirm what a surviving spouse or dependent may qualify for.
Eligibility rules for survivor benefits are detailed and can change — confirm current specifics directly with the VA or a veteran service officer.
Frequently asked questions
Can a surviving spouse be buried with the veteran in a national cemetery?+
Yes, generally — eligible spouses can be buried in the same national cemetery as the veteran, typically at no cost, similar to the veteran's own burial benefits.
What is Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC)?+
A tax-free monthly financial benefit potentially available to eligible surviving spouses, children, or in some cases parents of a veteran who died from a service-connected condition, or who met certain other qualifying criteria — eligibility requirements are specific and worth confirming directly with the VA.
Does the surviving spouse need to reapply for benefits, or does this happen automatically?+
This generally requires a separate application process — survivor benefits aren't automatic and need to be actively requested through the VA.
What if the spouse remarries?+
Remarriage can affect eligibility for certain survivor benefits depending on specific circumstances and age at remarriage — this is worth confirming directly with the VA given how situation-specific the rules can be.
Sources
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