How to Use a DD214 for Burial Benefits

Families often discover that a Veteran's military discharge records are missing at one of the most difficult possible times—when funeral, burial, or memorial arrangements need to be made.

A DD214 is commonly used because it summarizes important information about a Veteran's active military service and discharge. That information can help establish eligibility for military funeral honors, burial in a VA national cemetery, and certain memorial benefits.

But a DD214 is not necessarily the only document that can establish qualifying military service. Depending on the benefit, other official military discharge or separation documents may also be accepted.

Why Is a DD214 Important for Burial Benefits?

Burial and memorial programs generally need to verify that the deceased person had qualifying military service and met the applicable discharge requirements.

A DD214 is particularly useful because it can document details such as branch of service, dates of active service, and character of discharge in one official record.

That makes it one of the most commonly used documents when a family, funeral director, cemetery, or government agency needs to establish a Veteran's military history.

If the Veteran's discharge paperwork cannot be found, see our guide to getting a DD214 for a deceased Veteran .

Using a DD214 for Military Funeral Honors

Eligible Veterans may receive military funeral honors as a formal recognition of their military service.

When eligibility is being established, the military service will generally request the Veteran's DD214 or another discharge document showing qualifying service.

Military funeral honors commonly include the folding and presentation of the United States flag and the playing of Taps. The exact honors provided can depend on the Veteran's service and status.

Families commonly work through their funeral director to arrange military funeral honors, although Military OneSource also provides contact information for the appropriate service branches.

Using a DD214 for Burial in a VA National Cemetery

A DD214 or another accepted discharge document may also be needed when determining whether a Veteran qualifies for burial in a VA national cemetery.

When scheduling a burial, the National Cemetery Scheduling Office uses military service documentation to determine eligibility. VA states that families or funeral directors should provide the Veteran's DD214 or other discharge documents when those records are available.

Burial eligibility depends on more than simply possessing a DD214. Factors such as the Veteran's service history, duty status, length of qualifying service in some cases, and character of discharge can affect eligibility.

Veterans Can Determine Burial Eligibility Before It Is Needed

Veterans and eligible family members do not necessarily have to wait until a death occurs to determine whether they qualify for burial in a VA national cemetery.

VA offers a pre-need eligibility determination process. Veterans and certain family members can apply in advance and receive a decision about eligibility for burial in a VA national cemetery.

Providing a DD214 or other separation document can help VA process the application. If the applicant does not have the military records, VA states that it will attempt to locate the records needed to determine eligibility.

For Veterans concerned about leaving their family to locate military records later, completing a pre-need determination and keeping a DD214 with other important documents can make future arrangements much easier.

DD214s and Government Headstones, Markers, and Medallions

Military service records may also be needed when requesting certain government-furnished memorial items.

For example, VA applications for government headstones, markers, and medallions may require documentation establishing the Veteran's qualifying service. A DD214 is commonly used for this purpose, but VA accepts certain other discharge and service documents as well.

This distinction matters for families who cannot immediately locate a DD214. The missing DD214 does not necessarily mean that every burial or memorial benefit must stop while a replacement is obtained.

What If the Family Doesn't Have the DD214?

A missing DD214 does not automatically mean the family cannot move forward.

VA recognizes a number of military discharge and service documents that may be used to establish qualifying service for burial and memorial purposes.

Depending on the benefit being requested, VA may also attempt to locate military records when the family does not have them.

Our guide to proving military service without a DD214 explains other records that may help in situations where discharge paperwork is unavailable.

Who Can Request a Deceased Veteran's DD214?

The National Archives allows certain next of kin to request military service records for a deceased former service member.

For non-archival federal military personnel records, qualifying next of kin generally include an un-remarried surviving spouse, father, mother, son, daughter, sister, or brother.

The requester will generally need to provide proof of the Veteran's death, such as a death certificate, funeral-home letter, or published obituary.

Access rules can differ depending on how long ago the Veteran separated from military service, so families should review the applicable National Archives requirements.

For a broader explanation, read who can request a Veteran's military records .

What If the Veteran's DD214 Has Been Lost?

Many Veterans separated from military service decades before their discharge paperwork is needed for burial or memorial arrangements. During that time, records may be misplaced, damaged, lost during a move, or simply become difficult for family members to locate.

If the record cannot be found, a family member who is authorized to request the Veteran's records may be able to obtain a replacement from the appropriate records custodian.

Start with our guide to replacing a lost DD214 or our more specific guide to obtaining a DD214 for a deceased Veteran .

What Information Helps Locate a Deceased Veteran's Records?

Having accurate identifying and service information can make a military records request easier to process.

Helpful information may include the Veteran's full name used during military service, date of birth, branch of service, approximate dates of service, Social Security number, and service number if one was assigned.

Next of kin requesting records should also be prepared to provide the information or documentation required to establish the Veteran's death and their relationship to the Veteran when applicable.

Planning Ahead Can Make Things Easier for Your Family

Veterans can make future burial and memorial arrangements considerably easier by keeping military discharge records with other important family documents and telling trusted family members where those records are stored.

If your DD214 is already missing, obtaining a replacement before it is urgently needed can eliminate one potential source of stress for your family.

Veterans may also want to consider VA's pre-need burial eligibility process so that eligibility for a national cemetery has already been evaluated before the time of need.

To understand other situations where military discharge records can become important, see why Veterans may need a DD214 and what benefits may involve military discharge records .