When a Romanian war veteran passes away — the family's rights

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.

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 to cremation. 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.

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.

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.