---
kind: "section"
citation: "46 U.S.C. § 11201"
title: "46"
title_heading: "Shipping"
number: "11201"
heading: "Eligibility for veterans’ burial and cemetery benefits"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/46/11201"
units:
  - "Subtitle II — Vessels and Seamen"
  - "Part G — Merchant Seamen Protection and Relief"
  - "Chapter 112 — Merchant Mariner Benefits"
---

# §11201. Eligibility for veterans’ burial and cemetery benefits

- (a) **Eligibility.—**
  - (1) **In general.—** The qualified service of an individual referred to in [paragraph (2)](#a-2) shall be considered to be active duty in the Armed Forces during a period of war for purposes of eligibility for benefits under the following provisions of [title 38](/usc/38.md):
    - (A) [Chapter 23](/usc/46/chstII/ptA/ch23.md) (relating to burial benefits).
    - (B) Chapter 24 (relating to interment in national cemeteries).
  - (2) **Covered individuals.—** [Paragraph (1)](#a-1) applies to an individual who—
    - (A) receives an honorable service certificate under [section 11203 of this title](/usc/46/11203.md); and
    - (B) is not eligible under any other provision of law for benefits under laws administered by the [Secretary](/usc/46/2101.md?p=46) of Veterans Affairs.
- (b) **Reimbursement for Benefits Provided.—** The [Secretary](/usc/46/2101.md?p=46) shall reimburse the [Secretary](/usc/46/2101.md?p=46) of Veterans Affairs for the value of benefits that the [Secretary](/usc/46/2101.md?p=46) of Veterans Affairs provides for an individual by reason of eligibility under this section.
- (c) **Applicability.—**
  - (1) **General rule.—** Benefits may be provided under the provisions of law referred to in [subsection (a)(1)](#a-1) by reason of this chapter only for deaths occurring after the date of the enactment of this chapter.
  - (2) **Burials, etc. in national cemeteries.—** Notwithstanding [paragraph (1)](#c-1), in the case of an initial burial or columbarium placement after the date of the enactment of this chapter, benefits may be provided under [chapter 24](/usc/38/chptII/ch24.md) of title 38 by reason of this chapter (regardless of the date of death), and in such a case benefits may be provided under [section 2306](/usc/46/2306.md) of such title.

## Source credit

(Added Pub. L. 105–368, title IV, § 402(a), Nov. 11, 1998, 112 Stat. 3336; amended Pub. L. 116–283, div. G, title LVXXXV [LXXXV], § 8505(b)(11), Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 4751.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### References in Text

The date of the enactment of this chapter, referred to in subsec. (c), is the date of enactment of Pub. L. 105–368, which was approved Nov. 11, 1998.

### Amendments

2021—Pub. L. 116–283 substituted “an individual” for “a person” wherever appearing.