San Diego is home to one of the largest active-duty and veteran populations in the United States. If you or a family member served, significant burial benefits are available at no cost — but the process requires advance planning, the right paperwork, and an understanding of what each cemetery can offer. This guide covers VA burial benefits in California, how Fort Rosecrans and Miramar National Cemetery differ, what the VA covers (and what it does not), and exactly how to apply.
Eligible veterans are entitled to a range of burial benefits through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. These benefits are provided at no charge to the family and represent substantial financial value — a comparable private cemetery burial in San Diego typically costs $10,000–$20,000 or more.
Core VA burial benefits for eligible veterans include:
Note on burial allowances: If a veteran is not buried in a national cemetery, the VA may provide a burial allowance of up to $948 (for service-connected deaths) or $300 (non-service-connected deaths) toward funeral costs, plus a $948 plot allowance. These amounts are set by Congress and may change. Check va.gov for current rates.
Eligibility for burial in a national cemetery is broader than many families realize. The following individuals qualify:
The primary document required to establish eligibility is the DD-214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) — or, for older service, the equivalent discharge document. Without it, the burial scheduling process cannot proceed. If the DD-214 has been lost, the National Archives (NPRC) can provide a replacement; allow 4–6 weeks for that process.
Dishonorable discharge: Veterans with a dishonorable discharge are not eligible for VA burial benefits. Other-than-honorable and bad conduct discharges are evaluated case by case by the VA. If there is any question about discharge characterization, contact the San Diego County Veterans Service Office (CVSO) for guidance before making arrangements.
San Diego County has two national cemeteries — Fort Rosecrans and Miramar. They serve different populations and have important differences in what they can currently offer. For a broader comparison of all San Diego cemeteries including private, Catholic, and non-profit options, see our guide to choosing a cemetery in San Diego.
Fort Rosecrans sits on the southern tip of the Point Loma peninsula, overlooking the Pacific Ocean and San Diego Bay. It is one of the most scenic national cemeteries in the country and holds deep historical significance for San Diego’s military community.
Current status: Fort Rosecrans is closed to new full-casket burials. The cemetery reached capacity for in-ground interments and now accepts only:
If your family has a veteran already buried at Fort Rosecrans, you may still be eligible for interment there as a spouse or dependent. Contact the cemetery directly at (619) 553-2084 to confirm eligibility and available options for your specific situation.
Location: Point Loma, San Diego, CA 92106 (on the Naval Base Point Loma installation — bring valid ID for entry)
Miramar National Cemetery opened in 2010 and is now the primary national cemetery serving new burials in San Diego County. Located near Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in the northern part of the city, it is one of the newer national cemeteries in the VA system and is designed to serve the region for decades to come.
Current status: Miramar is open for new interments for all eligible veterans and dependents, including full casket burial and cremains. Pre-need eligibility determination is available, allowing eligible veterans to establish their eligibility and reserve a place before death — a meaningful step in advance planning.
Location: 5600 Sea World Drive area, San Diego, CA 92121 (Miramar area)
Cemetery office: (858) 513-7369
Understanding the scope of VA burial benefits is essential for family budgeting and planning. The VA covers a meaningful portion of burial costs for national cemetery interments, but several significant expenses remain the family’s responsibility.
| Category | VA Covers | Family Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Gravesite / niche | Yes — provided at no cost in any national cemetery with space | — |
| Opening & closing | Yes — includes grave liner | — |
| Headstone or marker | Yes — government-furnished, inscribed with service details | Installation fee may apply at private cemeteries |
| Perpetual care | Yes — maintained by National Cemetery Administration indefinitely | — |
| Burial flag | Yes — one flag per eligible veteran | — |
| Presidential Memorial Certificate | Yes — provided to next of kin | — |
| Funeral home services | No (burial allowance available for some veterans, see above) | Full cost of funeral director, preparation, viewing |
| Transportation | No (unless service-connected death — limited reimbursement may apply) | Transport from place of death to funeral home and cemetery |
| Casket or urn | No | Full cost — typically $1,500–$10,000+ depending on choice |
| Death certificates | No | Typically $21 per copy in California |
| Obituary, flowers, reception | No | Family’s responsibility |
Bottom line: VA benefits eliminate the largest single cost of burial — the plot, opening/closing, and perpetual care. For San Diego families, that translates to a savings of roughly $5,000–$15,000 compared to a comparable private cemetery. The remaining costs (funeral home, casket or urn, transportation) still require planning. See our guide to San Diego funeral costs in 2026 for current price ranges.
There are two processes depending on whether you are planning in advance (pre-need) or arranging burial at the time of death (at-need). Both require the DD-214 as the foundational document.
When a veteran dies, the funeral home typically coordinates with the national cemetery directly. The funeral director will:
Call 1-800-535-1117 (available 24/7) to schedule burial at a national cemetery. The cemetery will confirm eligibility, available dates, and logistics. Schedule as far in advance as possible — national cemetery scheduling typically requires 2–4 business days minimum, and 1–2 weeks is more common.
You will need: the veteran’s DD-214 (or equivalent discharge documents), the death certificate, and the funeral home’s name and contact information. The funeral director usually assists with submitting these. If the DD-214 is unavailable, request it from the National Archives at archives.gov/veterans — expedited requests are possible for imminent need situations.
This form requests the government-furnished headstone or grave marker. It can be submitted by the funeral home or next of kin. The marker is typically delivered to the cemetery within 30–60 days of burial. The cemetery installs it at no charge.
The burial flag is available from any VA regional office or U.S. post office. The Presidential Memorial Certificate is requested via va.gov/burials-memorials/memorial-items/presidential-memorial-certificates/ by next of kin, parents, or other family members.
Veterans and their eligible dependents can apply for pre-need eligibility determination before death. This process confirms eligibility, designates the preferred national cemetery, and stores the determination on file — making arrangements far smoother for the family at time of need.
How to apply pre-need: Complete VA Form 40-10007 (Application for Pre-Need Determination of Eligibility for Burial in a VA National Cemetery). Submit with a copy of the DD-214 to the National Cemetery Scheduling Office. Processing typically takes 60–90 days. Miramar National Cemetery currently accepts pre-need applications for eligible veterans and dependents.
Store your pre-need determination letter securely. Once issued, this letter is the key document your family will need. SettledWell’s secure vault is designed to store exactly this type of document — alongside your DD-214, burial preferences, and other critical records — so your family can find everything they need without a search.
Spouses and dependent children of eligible veterans may also be buried in a national cemetery. This benefit extends to survivors who predecease the veteran, as well as those who survive the veteran.
Documentation for dependents: In addition to the veteran’s DD-214, you will need proof of the family relationship. For a spouse: a marriage certificate. For children: a birth certificate. If the spouse is predeceasing the veteran, the veteran’s DD-214 is still required to establish the connection to the national cemetery.
Divorced spouses: A former spouse who was divorced from the veteran before the veteran’s death is generally not eligible for burial in a national cemetery as a dependent. There are limited exceptions. Contact the CVSO or the VA directly for guidance on your specific situation.
San Diego has a strong network of veteran-focused organizations that can assist with burial benefit questions, VA claims, and documentation issues. If you are unsure about eligibility, missing records, or need help navigating the application process, these resources are the right starting point.
The primary national cemetery serving new interments in San Diego County. Handles scheduling, pre-need eligibility determination, and burial coordination. Contact the cemetery office directly for availability and scheduling. Phone: (858) 513-7369.
Closed to new casket burials, but accepts cremains and interments for dependents of veterans already interred. Point Loma location on the Naval Base Point Loma installation. Phone: (619) 553-2084. Bring valid ID for base access.
The main VA medical center serving San Diego veterans, located at 3350 La Jolla Village Drive. Also connects veterans with VA benefits offices and can provide referrals for burial benefit questions. Phone: (858) 552-8585 or visit va.gov/san-diego-health-care.
Free accredited claims agents help veterans and their families navigate VA benefits, including burial benefits, discharge upgrade applications, and benefits claims. Offices throughout the county. Visit sdcounty.ca.gov/vets or call (858) 694-3222. No charge for services.
A San Diego-based nonprofit providing transitional housing, employment services, and benefits advocacy for veterans. Can assist with VA benefits navigation and connecting families with appropriate resources. Visit vvsd.net or call (619) 497-9900.
The central VA scheduling line for all national cemetery burials. Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week — including holidays and weekends. Call 1-800-535-1117. This is the number to call when arranging burial at time of death.
Burial benefit claims at the time of death are processed under significant time pressure, often while family members are grieving. The two most common problems that delay or complicate national cemetery burials are a missing DD-214 and uncertainty about eligibility status.
Pre-planning eliminates both. By completing the pre-need eligibility process at Miramar now, establishing where the DD-214 is stored, and documenting burial preferences, you remove the burden from your family entirely. For a full pre-planning framework, see our guide to San Diego funeral pre-planning.
The difference between a family that pre-planned and one that did not is not just financial. It is the difference between a funeral director confirming arrangements in 20 minutes versus a family spending 48 hours searching for discharge papers, calling the VA, and missing the scheduling window they needed.