VA - Burial Benefits - Headstones and Markers for Placement in Private Cemeteries
Program Description
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) furnishes upon request, at no charge to the applicant, a Government headstone or marker for the grave of any deceased eligible veteran in any cemetery around the world.
For all deaths occurring before September 11, 2001, the VA may furnish a headstone or marker only for graves that are not marked with a privately purchased headstone that displays the name of the veteran, dates of birth & death.
When burial or memorialization is in a national, post, or state veterans' cemetery, those cemetery officials (based on information provided by the next of kin) will order the headstone or marker.
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 a government headstone or marker.
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 dependents buried in a private cemetery are not eligible for an individual Government furnished headstone or marker unless they are also a veteran who meets the program eligibility criteria.
You may review more specific eligibility information by visiting http://www.cem.va.gov/cem/bbene/eligible.asp.
