The two sets of rights, in short
The first comes from the public pension system and has nothing to do with veteran status: the death allowance of 9,192 RON (2026), paid to whoever covers the funeral costs. It's claimed at the territorial pension house, and through a simple assignment we can collect it directly — the family advances nothing.
The second comes from Law 44/1994 on war veterans, and it's in kind, not in cash: a free burial plot, free cremation where applicable, and military funeral honors. Worth knowing upfront: the veterans' law does not provide an extra cash benefit for funerals — it provides free services and honors.
| Right | Who grants it | Core documents |
|---|---|---|
| Death allowance of 9,192 RON (2026) | Pension house | Pension stub, death certificate, claimant's ID |
| Free burial plot (or cremation) | Cemetery administration | Veteran's card, death certificate, request |
| Funeral with military honors | Military Center | Veteran's card, ceremony details |
| Free religious service | Military garrison (chaplain) | Request, in garrisons with a chaplain |
The free burial plot
Article 17 of Law 44/1994: war veterans and war widows are guaranteed, free of charge, burial plots in civil cemeteries or places in military or civil cemeteries. In practice, the request goes to the local cemetery administration (in Bucharest — ACCU), with the veteran's ID card and the death certificate.
If the family chooses cremation, the same free entitlement applies — see our cremation service page for how the process works. We help with the request and the scheduling, whichever option the family takes.
Military honors at the funeral
War veterans are entitled to a funeral with military honors according to the rank held at death — honor guard, flag, and ceremonial, under the same rules as active military personnel. The honors are provided free of charge by the army.
Who organizes them: the County Military Center (or the sector one, in Bucharest). The family — or we, on the family's behalf — notify the Military Center right after the death, with the veteran's card and the ceremony details. The Center confirms the honor detachment and the hour.
In garrisons with military chaplains, the religious service can be held by them, also free of charge.
How a ceremony with military honors unfolds
The military honor detachment accompanies the final journey: an honor guard at the coffin, the state flag, a funeral march and, where applicable, honor volleys. At the end, the flag that covered the coffin may be handed to the family as a token of respect.
The ceremony requires tight timing between the cemetery, the religious service and the military detachment. Confirm the exact hour with the Military Center well in advance — a delayed cortege can overlap with other ceremonies. We synchronise these moments so the honors proceed with dignity and without haste.
The documents, per right
For the death allowance at the pension house: the death certificate, the veteran's pension stub, the claimant's ID, and proof of funeral costs (or the assignment to us, signed at the first meeting).
For the military honors and the free plot: the war-veteran card (or a certificate from the National Association of War Veterans or the Military Center), the death certificate, and a written request.
If you're arranging things from abroad: every document can be handled by us under a simple power of attorney — you don't need to fly in before the funeral to start the process.
If the veteran's card can't be found
It happens often: the family cannot locate the veteran's card at the moment of death. The rights are not lost because of this. The County or sector Military Center, and the local branch of the National Association of War Veterans, can issue a certificate attesting veteran status from their own records.
With that certificate, the requests for the free plot and the military honors proceed normally. We help obtain it quickly, so the ceremony isn't delayed by one missing paper.
War widows and survivors
War widows hold the free burial plot right under the same law. When a widow passes away, the standard death allowance applies under the usual pensioner rules.
The veteran's monthly indemnity stops at death; the pension and indemnity unclaimed for the month of death can be recovered by the heirs from the pension house, based on the certificate of inheritance or civil status documents.
Veterans who were also military pensioners
If the veteran received a military pension, the death allowance is claimed at the sectoral pension house of the Ministry of National Defence, not at the civil pension house. The amount is the same — 9,192 RON in 2026 — but the file follows the military channel.
For veterans on a civil pension, the file goes the usual way, to the territorial pension house. Not sure which pension the veteran received? We check together with you, so the file lands at the right institution on the first try.
If the veteran died abroad
The veteran's rights — free plot and military honors — apply to burial in Romania. Bringing the deceased home requires repatriation, with a mortuary passport and the transport documents.
We coordinate the repatriation and, in parallel, prepare the honors request and the plot paperwork, so the ceremony in Romania is ready on arrival. Call us from abroad and we start the Romanian side immediately.