Congress·In Committee·H.R. 4398

Faster Death Certificates for Veterans to Speed Burials and Benefits

Veteran Burial Timeliness and Death Certificate Accountability Act

⏸

Stalled

No legislative action in over 90 days.

Legislative Progress

House

Senate

President

Law

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

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

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.

(119)

D: 30R: 89

Congress.gov

Official legislative information

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