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  VA - Burial Benefits - Veteran & Dependent burial in VA National Cemeteries
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Program Description
The National Cemetery Administration honors veterans with a final resting place and lasting memorials that commemorate their service to our Nation.

The Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) National Cemetery Administration maintains 125 national cemeteries in 39 states (and Puerto Rico) as well as 33 soldier’s lots and monument sites. To visit the web page for the closest National Cemetery in your state just visit the Web site ( http://www.cem.va.gov/cem/cems/listcem.asp) and select your state.

Burial benefits include a gravesite in any of our open cemeteries with available space, opening and closing of the grave, perpetual care, a Government headstone or marker, a burial flag, and a Presidential Memorial Certificate, at no cost to the family. Some veterans may also be eligible for Burial Allowances. Cremated remains are buried or inurned in national cemeteries in the same manner and with the same honors as casketed remains.

Burial benefits available for eligible spouses and dependents include burial with the veteran, perpetual care of the interment site. The spouse or dependent’s name and date of birth and death will be inscribed on the veteran’s headstone at no cost to the family.

General Program Requirements

Any member of the Armed Forces of the United States who dies while on active duty or any veteran who was discharged under conditions other than dishonorable may be eligible for burial in a National Cemetery.

Certain National Guard and reserve members may also qualify.

Commissioned Officers of the Public Health Service and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration are considered to be active duty members and veterans, once discharged.

Length-of-service requirements apply in some cases.

Spouses and certain eligible dependents may also be buried in national cemeteries.
Pre-arrangement for burial at a National Cemetery is not allowed.

Your Next Steps
The following information will lead you to the next steps to apply for this benefit.

Application Process
For more information, see the Program Contact Information below.

Program Contact Information

Department of Veterans Affairs
Washington, DC 20420

Telephone: 1-800-827-1000



To confirm your eligibility for burial benefits at a national cemetery you may call your VA regional office at:
1-800-827-1000
A Veterans Benefits Counselor will be happy to speak with you and answer any questions you may have.

Requests for burial in a VA national cemetery cannot be made via the Internet. Funeral homes that are assisting families during their time of need can contact the national cemetery and make arrangements for burial and/or inurnment. Direct contact with a veteran's family during the difficult days surrounding a veteran's death is usually not necessary until the family arrives at the cemetery for the burial service.

The telephone number for the closest national cemetery can be found in the blue pages of your local phone book, Federal Government, Department of Veterans Affairs, National Cemeteries. There may be more than one in your state so carefully review the numbers before calling.

If you would like a more information abut burial benefit eligibility, you may visit the National Cemetery Administration web at:
http://www.cem.va.gov/cem/bbene/eligible.asp

Managing Agency
National Cemetery Administration (NCA)
http://www.cem.va.gov

 
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