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Veteran Funeral Benefits in North Carolina: What Families Are Entitled To

May 6, 2026

Families of veterans often do not know the full extent of what they are entitled to when a veteran dies. Benefits go unclaimed every day simply because nobody knew to ask. This is a straightforward guide to what is available in North Carolina and how to access it.


Clay Bruggeman, owner of Into Our Kare, served two combat tours as a mortuary affairs specialist in the US Army before becoming a licensed funeral director. Veteran families are personal to him, not a marketing category.


Military Funeral Honors

Any veteran who was discharged under other than dishonorable conditions is entitled to military funeral honors at no cost. At minimum, this means two uniformed military members to fold and present the flag, and the playing of Taps (either live or by recording). More extensive honors, including a full honor guard, depend on branch of service and availability.


The funeral home coordinates with the Department of Defense to arrange honors. This is a benefit families should always request, and Into Our Kare coordinates it for every veteran family we serve.


VA Burial Benefits

The VA provides burial allowances to help offset funeral costs for eligible veterans. The amounts depend on whether the death was service-connected and where the veteran will be buried. Benefits include:

  • A burial allowance for eligible veterans, which varies based on circumstances
  • A plot or interment allowance for veterans not buried in a national cemetery
  • Transportation reimbursement in some cases

Eligibility requirements and current benefit amounts are published by the VA and updated periodically. Families should verify current amounts at VA.gov or call the VA directly. Into Our Kare can help families navigate the paperwork.


National Cemetery Burial

Veterans and their eligible dependents are entitled to burial in a VA national cemetery at no cost, which includes the grave, opening and closing, liner, headstone or marker, and perpetual care. The nearest VA national cemetery serving Gaston County families is Salisbury National Cemetery in Salisbury, NC.


For veterans choosing cremation, interment of cremated remains in a national cemetery is also available at no cost.


State Veterans Cemeteries in North Carolina

North Carolina operates state veterans cemeteries that offer burial to eligible veterans and their spouses at no charge to the family. These are separate from federal national cemeteries and may have different eligibility requirements. The NC Division of Veterans Affairs maintains current information on state cemetery locations and eligibility.


What Into Our Kare Does for Veteran Families

We are veteran-owned. We coordinate military funeral honors for every veteran family we serve. We help families identify and access the VA benefits they are entitled to, and we work with the family to create a service that honors the veteran's service appropriately.


If you have a veteran in your family who has passed, or if you are pre-planning your own arrangements as a veteran, call us at 704-473-3317. We understand this terrain because we have been in it.


Sources referenced in this article:

Source: US Department of Veterans Affairs: Burial Benefits — https://www.va.gov/burials-memorials/veterans-burial-allowance/

Source: NC Division of Veterans Affairs — https://www.milvets.nc.gov/

Source: DoD Military Funeral Honors Program — https://militaryfuneralhonors.osd.mil/

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