South Dakota State Burial Allowance for Veterans (Burial Allowance)
The state can pay up to $100 toward burial and funeral expenses for an honorably discharged veteran, or for the spouse or widow/widower of a veteran, when the family cannot afford the costs.
Who it is for
An honorably discharged veteran (or their spouse, widow, or widower) who was a South Dakota resident for one year before entering the military or one year before death, where the family does not have enough money to pay for the burial and funeral.
Focus: Surviving spouses and families
Before you start
How you apply: Apply through a partner organization.
The application must be submitted by a county or tribal Veterans Service Officer on the family's behalf, not by the individual directly.
How to apply
- Contact your county or tribal Veterans Service Officer as soon as possible after the death.
- Provide a signed statement (affidavit) that the family does not have enough money to cover burial and funeral costs.
- Your VSO submits the application to the SD Department of Veterans Affairs office in Pierre.
Deadline: The application must be submitted within one year of the date of burial. (Fixed deadline)
Amount: Up to $100
Verified as of 2026-07-05. Resources are checked periodically against their official source. Details, amounts, and deadlines change. Confirm the current information on the official page before you rely on it.