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Congress·In Committee·3 months ago

Faster Death Certificates for Veterans to Speed Burials and Benefits

Also known as: Veteran Burial Timeliness and Death Certificate Accountability Act

Legislative Progress

✓ Filed
Review
House
Senate
President

Key Points

  • Requires a veteran’s main doctor or nurse practitioner at Veterans Affairs to sign the death certificate within 48 hours after learning the veteran died of natural causes
  • If that provider cannot do it, the local coroner or medical examiner can sign instead so families are not stuck waiting
  • Faster death certificates help families schedule funerals, receive burial honors, and start survivor benefits sooner
  • Veterans Affairs must report each year on how often the 48-hour rule is met and the most common reasons for delays
VeteransHealthcare

Milestones

4 milestones4 actions
Dec 3, 2025House

Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

Jul 15, 2025House

Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

Jul 15, 2025

Introduced in House

Jul 15, 2025

Introduced in House

Source Information

Document Type

Congressional Bill

Official Title

Veteran Burial Timeliness and Death Certificate Accountability Act

Bill NumberHR 4398
Congress119th Congress
ChamberHouse of Representatives
Latest ActionReferred to the Subcommittee on Health.

Sponsor

Cosponsors

(119)
D: 30R: 89

Analysis generated by AI. While we strive for accuracy, this should not be considered legal or professional advice. Always verify information with official government sources.