Within the first days after a veteran dies, someone in the family has to start gathering paperwork — usually while also planning a funeral. Most of the hold-ups at this stage come down to one of three documents: the death certificate, the veteran's DD-214, or proof of marriage or parentage for a survivor's claim.
What Documents Do You Need Right Away?
The funeral home will ask for basic identifying information to file the death certificate, but a few other documents matter just as much in the first week:
- The veteran's death certificate (certified copies, not a photocopy)
- The veteran's DD-214 or other discharge/separation paperwork
- The veteran's Social Security number and, if applicable, VA claim number
- Marriage certificate, if a surviving spouse will file any claim
- Birth certificates for any dependent children who may be eligible for benefits
You don't need all of these on day one. The death certificate comes first because nearly every other step — notifying Social Security, closing accounts, filing a VA burial claim — depends on it.
How Many Copies of the Death Certificate Do You Need?
Most funeral homes will offer to order certified copies on your behalf when they file the death record, and it's worth ordering more than you think you need rather than going back for more later. Each certified copy typically gets used once and kept by the institution receiving it — the bank, a life insurance company, the Social Security Administration, the VA, and the county recorder (for property with a surviving spouse) may all want their own original rather than a copy you make yourself. Ask your funeral director for their specific recommendation, since the right number depends on how many accounts, policies, and benefit claims are involved.
What If the DD-214 Is Missing?
It's common for a DD-214 to be lost, especially if the veteran served decades ago or the family has moved several times. According to the VA, next of kin — a surviving spouse, parent, child, or sibling — can request a deceased veteran's service records. You'll need to provide one of two things: a copy of the death certificate, or a letter from the funeral home confirming the death.
You can request the records through:
- The National Archives, online, by mail, or by fax
- The National Personnel Records Center, in person
- Your state or county veterans service office
- An independent researcher
If the veteran is being buried in a VA national cemetery, the National Cemetery Scheduling Office will often try to locate service records itself, so the family may not need to track down the DD-214 separately in that case. For the administrative side of opening an estate, see What Does an Executor Actually Have to Do?.
What Does the VA Burial Claim Require?
If you plan to file VA Form 21P-530EZ for a burial allowance, the VA says you may need to provide copies of:
- The veteran's death certificate, including the cause of death
- The veteran's DD-214 or other separation documents
- An itemized transportation receipt, only if you personally paid to transport the veteran's remains
| Document | What It's For | Where to Get It |
|---|---|---|
| Death certificate (with cause of death) | Required on the VA burial claim itself | Funeral home or county vital records office |
| DD-214 / separation papers | Confirms discharge status and service dates | National Archives, or the veteran's own file if kept at home |
| Transportation receipt | Only needed if you paid to move the remains | Whoever you paid for transport |
For deaths on or after October 1, 2025, the VA pays a $1,002 burial allowance and $1,002 for plot or interment costs, according to the current burial allowance table. Filing deadlines vary: there's no time limit if the death was service-connected or happened while the veteran was under VA care, but for most other non-service-connected deaths you generally have two years from the burial to file. For the step-by-step filing process, see How Do I Apply for the VA Burial Allowance?
What About Documents for Survivor Benefits?
A death certificate and DD-214 cover the burial claim, but they're usually not the end of the paperwork. If a surviving spouse or child later applies for a separate survivor benefit — Social Security survivor benefits, VA Dependency and Indemnity Compensation, or a Survivor Benefit Plan annuity — that program will typically also ask for proof of the relationship: a marriage certificate for a spouse, or a birth certificate for a dependent child. Each program has its own form and its own list of exactly what it requires, so check that program's instructions directly rather than assuming the VA burial claim's paperwork will carry over.
What to Do About It
Start a single folder — physical or digital — the day you learn the veteran has died, and put every certified document into it as it arrives. Before you file anything:
- Ask the funeral home to order several certified copies of the death certificate, not just one.
- Locate the veteran's DD-214. If you can't find it, request it from the National Archives right away, since it can take time to arrive.
- Pull together marriage and birth certificates now if a spouse or child may file a separate survivor claim later — it's easier to gather everything once than to go hunting again in a few months.
- Keep a simple log of which document went to which institution, so you know where the originals ended up.