38 U.S.C. § 2303 (VETERANS’ BENEFITS)
§ 2303. Death from non-service-connected disability; plot allowance
(a)
(1) When a veteran described in paragraph (2) dies, the Secretary shall—
(A) pay the actual cost (not to exceed $700 (as increased from time to time under subsection (c))) of the burial and funeral or, within such limits, may make contracts for such services without regard to the laws requiring advertisement for proposals for supplies and services for the Department; and
(B) when such a death occurs in a State, transport the body to the place of burial in the same or any other State.
(2) A veteran described in this paragraph is a deceased veteran who is not covered by section 2307 of this title and who meets any of the following criteria:
(A) The deceased veteran dies in—
(i) a facility of the Department (as defined in section 1701(3) of this title) to which the deceased veteran was properly admitted for hospital, nursing home, or domiciliary care under section 1710 or 1711(a) of this title; or
(ii) an institution at which the deceased veteran was, at the time of death, receiving—
(I) hospital care in accordance with sections 1703A, 8111, and 8153 of this title;
(II) nursing home care under section 1720 of this title; or
(III) nursing home care for which payments are made under section 1741 of this title.
(B) At the time of death, the deceased veteran (including a person who died during a period deemed to be active military, naval, or air service under section 106(c) of this title) is in receipt of compensation under chapter 11 of this title (or but for the receipt of retirement pay would have been entitled to such compensation) or was in receipt of pension under chapter 15 of this title.
(C) The Secretary determines—
(i) the deceased veteran (including a person who died during a period deemed to be active military, naval, or air service under section 106(c) of this title) has no next of kin or other person claiming the body of the deceased veteran; and
(ii) that there are not available sufficient resources to cover burial and funeral expenses.
(b) In addition to the benefits provided for under subsection (a) of this section, in the case of a veteran who is eligible for burial in a national cemetery under section 2402 of this title and who is not buried in a national cemetery or other cemetery under the jurisdiction of the United States—
(1) the Secretary shall pay to the relevant State, agency, political subdivision, or tribal organization, as the case may be, the sum of $700 (as increased from time to time under subsection (c)) as a plot or interment allowance for such veteran if the veteran is buried (without charge for the cost of a plot or interment) in a cemetery, or a section of a cemetery, that—
(A) is used solely for the interment of persons who are—
(i) eligible for burial in a national cemetery;
(ii) members of a reserve component of the Armed Forces not otherwise eligible for such burial or former members of such a reserve component not otherwise eligible for such burial who are discharged or released from service under conditions other than dishonorable; or
(iii) described in section 2408(i)(2) of this title; and
(B) is—
(i) owned by a State or by an agency or political subdivision of a State; or
(ii) on trust land owned by, or held in trust for, a tribal organization. 1
(2) if such veteran is eligible for a burial allowance under subsection (a) of this section, or was discharged from the active military, naval, air, or space service for a disability incurred or aggravated in line of duty, and such veteran is buried in a cemetery, or a section of a cemetery, other than as described in clause (1) of this subsection, the Secretary shall pay a sum not exceeding $700 (as increased from time to time under subsection (c)) as a plot or interment allowance to such person as the Secretary prescribes, except that if any part of the plot or interment costs of a burial to which this clause applies has been paid or assumed by a State, an agency or political subdivision of a State, tribal organization, or a former employer of the deceased veteran, no claim for such allowance shall be allowed for more than the difference between the entire amount of the expenses incurred and the amount paid or assumed by any or all of the foregoing entities.
(c) With respect to any fiscal year, the Secretary shall provide a percentage increase (rounded to the nearest dollar) in the maximum amount of burial and funeral expenses payable under subsection (a) and in the maximum amount of the plot or interment allowance payable under subsection (b), equal to the percentage by which—
(1) the Consumer Price Index (all items, United States city average) for the 12-month period ending on the June 30 preceding the beginning of the fiscal year for which the increase is made, exceeds
(2) the Consumer Price Index for the 12-month period preceding the 12-month period described in paragraph (1).
(d) With respect to a deceased veteran described in subparagraph (B) or (C) of subsection (a)(2), except as hereafter provided in this subsection, no deduction shall be made from the burial allowance because of the veteran’s net assets at the time of the death of such veteran, or because of any contribution from any source toward the burial and funeral expenses (including transportation) unless the amount of expenses incurred is covered by the amount actually paid therefor by the United States, a State, any agency or political subdivision of the United States or of a State, or the employer of the deceased veteran. No claim shall be allowed (1) for more than the difference between the entire amount of the expenses incurred and the amount paid by any or all of the foregoing, or (2) when the burial allowance would revert to the funds of a public or private organization or would discharge such an organization’s obligation without payment. The burial allowance or any part thereof shall not be paid in any case where specific provision is otherwise made for payment of expenses of funeral, transportation, and interment under any other Act.
(e) In this section, the terms “tribal organization” and “trust land” have the meanings given those terms in section 3765 of this title.
(Pub. L. 85–857, Sept. 2, 1958, 72 Stat. 1170, § 903; Pub. L. 86–70, § 29(a), June 25, 1959, 73 Stat. 148; Pub. L. 86–624, § 25(b), July 12, 1960, 74 Stat. 418; Pub. L. 87–99, July 21, 1961, 75 Stat. 218; Pub. L. 89–358, § 4(i), Mar. 3, 1966, 80 Stat. 24; Pub. L. 93–43, § 5(a)(1), June 18, 1973, 87 Stat. 80; Pub. L. 94–581, title II, § 204, Oct. 21, 1976, 90 Stat. 2856; Pub. L. 95–476, title II, § 202(a), Oct. 18, 1978, 92 Stat. 1503; Pub. L. 95–479, title III, § 303(a), Oct. 18, 1978, 92 Stat. 1565; Pub. L. 97–35, title XX, § 2001(b), Aug. 13, 1981, 95 Stat. 781; Pub. L. 97–306, title IV, § 404(a), Oct. 14, 1982, 96 Stat. 1443; Pub. L. 99–272, title XIX, § 19012(c)(4), Apr. 7, 1986, 100 Stat. 382; Pub. L. 101–237, title III, § 313(b)(1), Dec. 18, 1989, 103 Stat. 2077; Pub. L. 101–508, title VIII, § 8042(a), Nov. 5, 1990, 104 Stat. 1388–349; renumbered § 2303 and amended Pub. L. 102–83, §§ 4(a)(3), (4), 5(a), (c)(1), Aug. 6, 1991, 105 Stat. 404–406; Pub. L. 104–275, title II, § 212, Oct. 9, 1996, 110 Stat. 3330; Pub. L. 105–114, title IV, § 401(a), Nov. 21, 1997, 111 Stat. 2293; Pub. L. 106–419, title III, § 333(a), Nov. 1, 2000, 114 Stat. 1856; Pub. L. 107–103, title V, § 501(b)(1), Dec. 27, 2001, 115 Stat. 994; Pub. L. 108–183, title V, § 501(a), Dec. 16, 2003, 117 Stat. 2666; Pub. L. 111–275, title V, § 501(a)–(c), Oct. 13, 2010, 124 Stat. 2881; Pub. L. 114–58, title VI, § 601(13), Sept. 30, 2015, 129 Stat. 539; Pub. L. 115–182, title I, § 144(a)(1)(C), June 6, 2018, 132 Stat. 1430; Pub. L. 116–283, div. A, title IX, § 926(a)(37), Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 3830; Pub. L. 116–315, title II, § 2202(a)(1), (3), Jan. 5, 2021, 134 Stat. 4984; Pub. L. 117–103, div. CC, § 102(c), Mar. 15, 2022, 136 Stat. 1110.)
heading: Editorial Notes
heading: Codification
text: The text of subsec. (b) of section 2302 of this title, which was transferred to subsec. (d) of this section by Pub. L. 116–315, § 2201(a), and amended by Pub. L. 116–315, § 2202(a)(3)(B)(iv), was based on Pub. L. 85–857, § 902, Sept. 2, 1958, 72 Stat. 1169; Pub. L. 88–359, July 7, 1964, 78 Stat. 296; Pub. L. 95–476, title II, § 203(b)(3), Oct. 18, 1978, 92 Stat. 1506; renumbered § 2302, Pub. L. 102–83, § 5(a), Aug. 6, 1991, 105 Stat. 406.
heading: Amendments
text: 2022—Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 117–103, § 102(c)(1)(A), amended par. (1) generally. Prior to amendment, par. (1) read as follows: “if such veteran is buried (without charge for the cost of a plot or interment) in a cemetery, or a section of a cemetery, that (A) is used solely for the interment of persons who are (i) eligible for burial in a national cemetery, and (ii) members of a reserve component of the Armed Forces not otherwise eligible for such burial or former members of such a reserve component not otherwise eligible for such burial who are discharged or released from service under conditions other than dishonorable, and (B) is owned by a State or by an agency or political subdivision of a State, the Secretary shall pay to such State, agency, or political subdivision the sum of $700 (as increased from time to time under subsection (c)) as a plot or interment allowance for such veteran; and”.
Subsec. (b)(2). Pub. L. 117–103, § 102(c)(1)(B), inserted “tribal organization,” after “of a State,”.
Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 117–103, § 102(c)(2), added subsec. (e).
2021—Pub. L. 116–315, § 2202(a)(3)(A), substituted “Death from non-service-connected disability” for “Death in Department facility” in section catchline.
Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 116–315, § 2202(a)(3)(B)(i), substituted “a veteran described in paragraph (2) dies” for “a veteran dies in a facility described in paragraph (2)”.
Subsec. (a)(2). Pub. L. 116–315, § 2202(a)(3)(B)(ii), added par. (2) and struck out former par. (2) which read as follows: “A facility described in this paragraph is—
“(A) a facility of the Department (as defined in section 1701(3) of this title) to which the deceased was properly admitted for hospital, nursing home, or domiciliary care under section 1710 or 1711(a) of this title; or
“(B) an institution at which the deceased veteran was, at the time of death, receiving—
“(i) hospital care in accordance with sections 1703A, 8111, and 8153 of this title;
“(ii) nursing home care under section 1720 of this title; or
“(iii) nursing home care for which payments are made under section 1741 of this title.”
Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 116–315, § 2202(a)(3)(B)(iii)(I), struck out “section 2302 of this title and” before “subsection (a) of this section”.
Subsec. (b)(2). Pub. L. 116–315, § 2202(a)(3)(B)(iii)(II), struck out “under section 2302 of this title or” before “under subsection (a) of this section”.
Pub. L. 116–283 substituted “air, or space service” for “or air service”.
Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 116–315, § 2202(3)(B)(iv), substituted “With respect to a deceased veteran described in subparagraph (B) or (C) of subsection (a)(2), except as” for “Except as”.
Pub. L. 116–315, § 2202(a)(1), transferred subsec. (b) of section 2302 of this title to subsec. (d) of this section.
2018—Subsec. (a)(2)(B)(i). Pub. L. 115–182 substituted “with sections 1703A, 8111, and 8153” for “with section 1703”.
2015—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 114–58 substituted “interment” for “internment” in introductory provisions.
2010—Subsec. (a)(1)(A). Pub. L. 111–275, § 501(a), substituted “$700 (as increased from time to time under subsection (c))” for “$300”.
Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 111–275, § 501(b), substituted “$700 (as increased from time to time under subsection (c))” for “$300” in pars. (1) and (2).
Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 111–275, § 501(c), added subsec. (c).
2003—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 108–183, § 501(a)(1), in introductory provisions, substituted “burial in a national cemetery under section 2402 of this title” for “a burial allowance under such section 2302, or under such subsection, who was discharged from the active military, naval, or air service for a disability incurred or aggravated in line of duty, or who is a veteran of any war”.
Subsec. (b)(2). Pub. L. 108–183, § 501(a)(2), substituted “is eligible for a burial allowance under section 2302 of this title or under subsection (a) of this section, or was discharged from the active military, naval, or air service for a disability incurred or aggravated in line of duty, and such veteran” for “(other than a veteran whose eligibility for benefits under this subsection is based on being a veteran of any war)”.
2001—Subsec. (b)(1), (2). Pub. L. 107–103 substituted “$300” for “$150”.
2000—Subsec. (b)(1)(A). Pub. L. 106–419 amended cl. (A) generally. Prior to amendment, cl. (A) read as follows: “is used solely for the interment of persons eligible for burial in a national cemetery, and”.
1997—Subsec. (a)(2)(A). Pub. L. 105–114 substituted “a facility of the Department (as defined in section 1701(3) of this title)” for “a Department facility (as defined in section 1701(4) of this title)”.
1996—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 104–275 amended subsec. (a) generally. Prior to amendment, subsec. (a) read as follows: “When a veteran dies in a Department facility (as defined in section 1701(4) of this title) to which the deceased was properly admitted for hospital, nursing home, or domiciliary care under section 1710 or 1711(a) of this title or in an institution at which the deceased veteran was receiving hospital care in accordance with section 1703 of this title or nursing home care under section 1720 of this title at the expense of the United States at the time of death, the Secretary—
“(1) shall pay the actual cost (not to exceed $300) of the burial and funeral or, within such limits, may make contracts for such services without regard to the laws requiring advertisement for proposals for supplies and services for the Department; and
“(2) shall, when such a death occurs in a State, transport the body to the place of burial in the same or any other State.”
1991—Pub. L. 102–83, § 5(a), renumbered section 903 of this title as this section.
Pub. L. 102–83, § 4(a)(3), (4), substituted “Department” for “Veterans’ Administration” in section catchline.
Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 102–83, § 5(c)(1), substituted “1701(4)” for “601(4)”, “1710 or 1711(a)” for “610 or 611(a)”, “1703” for “603”, and “1720” for “620” in introductory provisions.
Pub. L. 102–83, § 4(a)(3), (4), substituted “Department” for “Veterans’ Administration” in introductory provisions and in par. (1).
Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 102–83, § 5(c)(1), substituted “2302” for “902” in two places in introductory provisions.
1990—Subsec. (b)(2). Pub. L. 101–508 inserted “(other than a veteran whose eligibility for benefits under this subsection is based on being a veteran of any war)” after “if such veteran”.
1989—Pub. L. 101–237 substituted “Secretary” for “Administrator” wherever appearing.
1986—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 99–272 inserted “hospital care in accordance with section 603 of this title or”.
1982—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 97–306 substituted “When a veteran dies in a Veterans’ Administration facility (as defined in section 601(4) of this title)” for “Where death occurs in a Veterans’ Administration facility” and inserted “or in an institution at which the deceased veteran was receiving nursing home care under section 620 of this title at the expense of the United States at the time of death” after “611(a) of this title.
1981—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 97–35 inserted provisions relating to a veteran discharged from active duty for a disability incurred or aggravated in the line of duty, or a war veteran.
1978—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 95–479 substituted “$300” for $250”.
Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 95–476 substituted provisions requiring Administrator to pay an interment allowance of $150 to a State or an agency or subdivision of a State, for burial of an eligible veteran in a cemetery, reserved for burial of persons eligible for burial in a national cemetery, owned by the State or such agency or political subdivision, or to any person prescribed by Administrator for burial of an eligible veteran in a cemetery other than one so reserved for provisions authorizing Administrator in his discretion to pay up to $150 as an interment allowance to any person he prescribed.
1976—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 94–581 inserted “, nursing home,” after “hospital” and substituted “611(a)” for “611” in provisions preceding par. (1).
1973—Pub. L. 93–43, in revising text, substituted reference to section “611” for “611(a)” in opening text of subsec. (a), designated existing provisions of subsec. (a) as first part of par. (1) of such subsec. (a), incorporated provisions of former subsec. (c) as second part of par. (1) of subsec. (a), redesignated former subsec. (b) as par. (2) of subsec. (a), and added subsec. (b).
1966—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 89–358 struck out last sentence including the Canal Zone in the term “State” for purposes of subsec. (b), now incorporated in section 101(20) of this title.
1961—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 87–99 substituted “a State” and “in the same, or any other State” for “the continental United States or Hawaii” and “in the continental United States or Hawaii”, respectively, and defined State to include Canal Zone.
1960—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 86–624 substituted “continental United States or Hawaii” for “continental United States (including Alaska)” in two places.
1959—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 86–70 substituted “continental United States (including Alaska), the Administrator shall transport the body to the place of burial in the continental United States (including Alaska)” for “continental United States, the Administrator shall transport the body to the place of burial in the United States, or to the place of burial within Alaska if the deceased was a resident of Alaska who had been brought to the United States as a beneficiary of the Veterans’ Administration for hospital or domiciliary care”.
heading: Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
heading: Effective Date of 2021 Amendment
text: Amendment by Pub. L. 116–315 applicable to deaths that occur on or after the date that is two years after Jan. 5, 2021, see section 2202(d) of Pub. L. 116–315, set out as a note under section 113 of this title.
heading: Effective Date of 2018 Amendment
text: Amendment by Pub. L. 115–182 effective on the date described in section 101(b) of Pub. L. 115–182, see section 144(b) of Pub. L. 115–182, set out as a note under section 1712 of this title.
heading: Effective Date of 2010 Amendment
text: Pub. L. 111–275, title V, § 501(d), Oct. 13, 2010, 124 Stat. 2881, provided that:
“(1) In general.—
Except as provided in paragraph (2), the amendments made by this section [amending this section] shall apply with respect to deaths occurring on or after October 1, 2011.
“(2) Prohibition on cost-of-living adjustment for fiscal year 2012.—
No adjustments shall be made under section 2303(c) of title 38, United States Code, as added by subsection (c), for fiscal year 2012.”
heading: Effective Date of 2001 Amendment
text: Pub. L. 107–103, title V, § 501(b)(2), Dec. 27, 2001, 115 Stat. 994, provided that: “The amendments made by paragraph (1) [amending this section] shall apply to deaths occurring on or after December 1, 2001.”
heading: Effective Date of 2000 Amendment
text: Pub. L. 106–419, title III, § 333(b), Nov. 1, 2000, 114 Stat. 1857, provided that: “The amendment made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall apply with respect to the burial of persons dying on or after the date of the enactment of this Act [Nov. 1, 2000].”
heading: Effective Date of 1990 Amendment
text: Pub. L. 101–508, title VIII, § 8042(b), Nov. 5, 1990, 104 Stat. 1388–349, provided that: “This section [amending this section] shall apply to deaths occurring on or after November 1, 1990.”
heading: Effective Date of 1982 Amendment
text: Pub. L. 97–306, title IV, § 404(b), Oct. 14, 1982, 96 Stat. 1443, provided that: “The amendments made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall apply with respect to deaths occurring after September 30, 1982.”
heading: Effective Date of 1978 Amendments
text: Amendment by Pub. L. 95–479 effective Oct. 1, 1978, see section 401(a) of Pub. L. 95–479, set out as a note under section 1114 of this title.
Pub. L. 95–476, title II, § 205, Oct. 18, 1978, 92 Stat. 1506, provided that:
“(a) Except as provided in subsection (b), the amendments made by this title [enacting section 1008 [now 2408] of this title and amending sections 902, 906, and 1798 [now 2302, 2306, and 3698] of this title] shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act [Oct. 18, 1978].
“(b) The amendment made by section 202(a) of this title [amending this section] shall take effect on October 1, 1978.”
heading: Effective Date of 1976 Amendment
text: Amendment by Pub. L. 94–581 effective Oct. 21, 1976, see section 211 of Pub. L. 94–581, set out as a note under section 111 of this title.
heading: Effective Date of 1973 Amendment
text: Pub. L. 93–43, § 10(b), June 18, 1973, 87 Stat. 88, provided that: “Clause (1) of section 5(a) [amending this section] shall take effect on the first day of the second calendar month following the date of enactment of this Act [June 18, 1973].”
heading: Burial Allowance for Certain Veterans Who Die at Home While in Receipt of Hospice Care Furnished by Department of Veterans Affairs
text: Pub. L. 118–210, title III, § 301, Jan. 2, 2025, 138 Stat. 2788, provided that:
“(a) In General.—
The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall treat a veteran described in subsection (b) as a veteran described in subparagraph (A) of section 2303(a)(2) of title 38, United States Code.
“(b) Veteran Described.—
A veteran described in this subsection is a veteran who dies in a home or other setting at which the deceased veteran was, at the time of death, receiving hospice care pursuant to section 1717(a) of such title if such care was directly preceded by the Secretary furnishing to the veteran hospital care or nursing home care described in clause (ii) of such subparagraph.
“(c) Effective Date; Applicability.—
This section shall apply with respect to deaths that occur—
“(1) on or after the date that is 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act [Jan. 2, 2025]; and
“(2) before October 1, 2026.”
heading: Plot and Interment Allowances for Veterans Buried Before March 15, 2022, in Cemeteries on Trust Land Owned by, or Held in Trust for, Tribal Organizations
text: Pub. L. 117–355, § 2, Jan. 5, 2023, 136 Stat. 6278, provided that:
“The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall pay a plot or interment allowance under paragraph (1) of section 2303(b) of title 38, United States Code, for a veteran if—
“(1) the veteran was buried, before March 15, 2022, in a cemetery, or in a section of a cemetery, that is on trust land owned by, or held in trust for, a tribal organization;
“(2) the tribal organization that is responsible for operating and maintaining the cemetery, or the section of cemetery, applies for such allowance;
“(3) a plot or interment allowance was not already paid for the burial of such veteran under paragraph (2) of such section; and
“(4) the burial of the veteran otherwise meets the requirements under paragraph (1) of such section.”