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Veterans · AZ

Life insurance and burial benefits for Arizona veterans

Arizona is home to about 463,000 veterans and offers more burial choices than many states. The VA runs the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona in Phoenix, and Prescott National Cemetery is closed to new casket burials. The state operates veterans memorial cemeteries at Camp Navajo near Bellemont, Marana and Sierra Vista, and the VA lists tribal veterans cemeteries in Tucson and San Carlos. Veterans rated 100% service-connected disabled can have their home fully exempt from property tax, and military retirement pay is exempt from state income tax. The Arizona Department of Veterans' Services can help families with these benefits, and a small life insurance policy can cover remaining funeral costs.

Facts checked against the sources listed below.

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Veterans in the state

463,000

Estimate, 2026

VA national cemeteries

2

Located in Arizona

State veterans cemeteries

5

Built with VA grants

State agency

AZ

Arizona Department of Veterans' Services

Life insurance options for Arizona veterans

Military life insurance is federal, so the options are the same in every state: convert SGLI to VGLI after separation, apply for VALife if you have a service-connected rating, or buy private coverage. Healthy veterans often compare VGLI against private term life, since VGLI rates rise every five years.

Veterans cemeteries in Arizona

VA national cemeteries

State veterans cemeteries

  • Arizona Veterans Memorial Cemetery at Camp Navajo — Bellemont
  • Arizona Veterans Memorial Cemetery at Marana — Marana
  • Southern Arizona Veterans Memorial Cemetery — Sierra Vista
  • Monte Calvario Veterans Cemetery — Tucson
  • San Carlos Apache Tribal Veterans Cemetery — San Carlos

Burial in a VA national cemetery, a government headstone or marker, and a burial flag are available to eligible veterans at no cost; see VA burial benefits for current allowances. Source: VA National Cemetery Administration — Find a Cemetery: Arizona

Compare coverage as a veteran in Arizona

A licensed agent can check private options side by side with VGLI and VALife. Free, with no obligation.

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Arizona state benefits for veterans

The primary residence of an Arizona veteran with a 100% service-connected disability rating (or total disability based on individual unemployability) is fully exempt from property tax; other disabled veterans get a partial exemption scaled to their VA rating. Apply by filing an affidavit with the county assessor. Source: Arizona Revised Statutes § 42-11111 — Property tax exemption for veterans with a disability

Arizona fully exempts military retirement pay, annuities and pensions from state individual income tax. Source: Arizona Department of Veterans' Services — Arizona State Veteran Benefits Guide (2025)

The Arizona Department of Veterans' Services operates four Arizona State Veteran Homes, in Flagstaff, Phoenix, Tucson and Yuma. Source: Arizona Department of Veterans' Services — Arizona State Veteran Homes

For help applying, contact the Arizona Department of Veterans' Services.

Planning for final costs too? See final expense insurance in Arizona.

Frequently asked questions

Where can veterans be buried in Arizona?

Arizona has 2 VA national cemeteries and 5 state veterans cemeteries, including National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona in Phoenix. Eligibility rules apply; the cemetery or Arizona Department of Veterans' Services can confirm.

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Can Arizona veterans keep their military life insurance after leaving service?

SGLI can be converted to VGLI within 1 year and 120 days after separation, with no health questions if you apply within 240 days. Veterans with a service-connected rating may also qualify for VA Life Insurance (VALife). These are federal programs, so the rules are the same in every state.

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Do disabled veterans get a property tax break in Arizona?

The primary residence of an Arizona veteran with a 100% service-connected disability rating (or total disability based on individual unemployability) is fully exempt from property tax; other disabled veterans get a partial exemption scaled to their VA rating. Apply by filing an affidavit with the county assessor.

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Sources

  1. VA National Cemetery Administration — Find a Cemetery: Arizona
  2. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, VetPop2023 – Veteran Population by State: FY2026
  3. Arizona Revised Statutes § 42-11111 — Property tax exemption for veterans with a disability
  4. Arizona Department of Veterans' Services — Arizona State Veteran Benefits Guide (2025)
  5. Arizona Department of Veterans' Services — Arizona State Veteran Homes
  6. Arizona Department of Veterans' Services

Veterans guides for other states