Life insurance and burial benefits for Kentucky 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.

VA national cemeteries

• Camp Nelson National Cemetery — Nicholasville
• Cave Hill National Cemetery (closed to new burials) — Louisville
• Danville National Cemetery (closed to new burials) — Danville
• Lebanon National Cemetery — Lebanon
• Lexington National Cemetery (closed to new burials) — Lexington
• Mill Springs National Cemetery — Nancy
• Zachary Taylor National Cemetery (closed to new burials) — Louisville

State veterans cemeteries

• Kentucky Veterans Cemetery - Central — Radcliff
• Kentucky Veterans Cemetery - North — Williamstown
• Kentucky Veterans Cemetery - Northeast — Grayson
• Kentucky Veterans Cemetery - Southeast — Hyden
• Kentucky Veterans Cemetery - West — Hopkinsville

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

Kentucky's Indigent Veterans' Burial Program reimburses a funeral home or cemetery up to $1,000 for burying a veteran who died in Kentucky with no estate or other means to pay for the funeral; apply with KDVA Form 6. Source: Kentucky Department of Veterans Affairs, Indigent Burial (17 KAR 4:040)

Homeowners classified as totally disabled, including veterans rated by the VA, can claim Kentucky's homestead exemption, which removes $49,100 of assessed value for the 2025–2026 assessment years; veterans with a service-connected disability don't have to reapply each year. Apply through the county Property Valuation Administrator. Source: Kentucky Department of Revenue, Homestead Exemption

Burial in any of Kentucky's five state veterans cemeteries, including the gravesite, opening and closing, perpetual care and a headstone or marker, is free for the veteran, and Kentucky residency is not required. Source: Kentucky Department of Veterans Affairs, Cemeteries

Honorably discharged veterans with a 100% service-connected disability rating can get the Kentucky Disabled Veteran license plate at no fee. Source: Kentucky Department of Veterans Affairs, Summary of Kentucky Military and Veterans Benefits

Spouses and children of certain veterans may qualify for a tuition waiver at Kentucky's state-supported two-year, four-year and vocational schools. Source: Kentucky Department of Veterans Affairs, Summary of Kentucky Military and Veterans Benefits

For help applying, contact the Kentucky Department of Veterans Affairs.