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.
Application Process
For more information, see the Program Contact Information below.
Program Contact Information
Department of Veterans Affairs
Washington, DC 20420
Telephone: 202-273-7210
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 eligilbility, you may visit the National Cemetery Administration web
at:
http://www.cem.va.gov/cem/bbene/eligible.asp
Managing Agency
National Cemetery Administration (NCA)
www.cem.va.gov
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