Burial Benefits

Burial in National Cemeteries Benefit

Burial benefits in a VA national cemetery include the gravesite, opening and closing of the grave, and perpetual care. Many national cemeteries have columbaria for the inurement of cremated remains or special gravesites for the burial of cremated remains. Headstones and markers and their placement are provided at the government's expense. For a list of available cemeteries, see the "VA Facilities" section in the back of this book.

Eligibility

Veterans discharged or separated from active duty under conditions other than dishonorable who have completed the required period of service, and armed forces members who die on active duty are eligible for burial in one of VA's 114 national cemeteries. Service by a U.S. citizen in the armed forces of a government allied with the U.S. in a war also can earn eligibility. Spouses and dependent, minor children of eligible veterans and of armed forces members also may be buried in a national cemetery.

The surviving spouse of an eligible veteran who remarried a non-veteran prior to Oct. 31, 1990, and whose remarriage was terminated by death or divorce prior to or on that date is eligible for burial in a national cemetery. A surviving spouse of an eligible veteran who remarried a non-veteran prior to Oct. 31, 1990, and whose remarriage was still intact on or after that date, however, is not eligible for burial in a national cemetery. A surviving spouse who remarries a non-veteran after Oct. 31, 1990, is not eligible for burial in a national cemetery.

Gravesites in national cemeteries cannot be reserved. Funeral directors or others making burial arrangements must apply at the time of death. Reservations made under previous programs are honored. The National Cemetery System does not normally conduct burials on weekends. A weekend caller, however, will be directed to one of three strategically located VA cemetery offices that remain open during weekends to schedule burials at the cemetery of the caller's choice during the upcoming week.

Arlington National Cemetery

Arlington National Cemetery, which is under the jurisdiction of the Army, has a more limited eligibility than other national cemeteries. Eligibility for inurement of cremated remains in Arlington's columbarium is the same as eligibility for burial in VA national cemeteries. For information on Arlington burials, write to Superintendent, Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA 22211, or telephone 703-695-3250.

Interior Department, State Veteran Cemeteries

Eligibility criteria similar to VA National Cemetery eligibility apply to the two active national cemeteries administered by the Department of the Interior -- Andersonville National Cemetery in Georgia and Andrew Johnson National Cemetery in Tennessee. Cemeteries for veterans are operated by many states. For burials, contact the Interior Department or the respective state.

Headstones and Markers Benefit

VA provides headstones and markers for the graves of veterans anywhere in the world and for eligible dependents of veterans buried in national, state veteran or federal cemeteries. Flat bronze, flat granite, flat marble and upright marble types are available to mark the grave of a veteran or dependent in the style consistent with existing monuments at the place of burial. Niche markers also are available to mark columbaria used for the inurement of cremated remains. Headstones and markers are inscribed with the name of the deceased, the years of birth and death, and branch of service. Optional items that also may be inscribed at VA expense are: military grade, rank or rate; war service (such as "World War II"); months and days of birth and death; an emblem reflecting one's beliefs; valor awards received; and the Purple Head. Additional items may be inscribed at private expense.

When burial is in a national cemetery, military post or state veterans cemetery, the headstone or marker is ordered through the cemetery, which will place it on the grave. Information regarding style, inscription, shipping and placement can be obtained from the cemetery.

When burial occurs in a cemetery other than a national cemetery or a state veterans cemetery, the headstone or marker must be applied for from VA. It is shipped at government expense to the consignee designated on the application. VA, however, does not pay the cost of placing the headstone or marker on the grave. To apply, complete VA Form 40-1330 and forward it to Director, Office of Memorial Programs (403A), National Cemetery System, Department of Veterans Affairs, Washington, DC 20420. Forms and assistance are available at VA regional offices. For information regarding the status of an application, write to the Director, Office of Memorial Programs (403B3), or call (202) 2751494 or (202) 275-1495.

Eligibility

Eligibility for a VA headstone or marker is the same as for burial in a national cemetery. VA, however, cannot issue a headstone or marker for a spouse or dependent buried in a private cemetery. In addition, 20-year reservists without active-duty service are eligible for a headstone or grave marker, if they are entitled to military retired pay at the time of death. If the reservist would have been entitled to retired pay but for being under 60 years of age, they also are eligible for a headstone or grave marker.

Headstones or Markers for Memorial Plots Benefit

To memorialize an eligible veteran whose remains are not available for burial, VA will provide a plot and headstone or marker in a national cemetery. The headstone or marker is the same as that used to identify a grave except that the mandatory phrase "In Memory of" precedes the authorized inscription. The plot and headstone or marker are available to memorialize eligible veterans or deceased active-duty members whose remains were not recovered or identified, were buried at sea, donated to science, or cremated and scattered. The memorial marker may be provided for placement in a cemetery at other than a national cemetery. In such a case, VA supplies the marker and pays the cost of shipping the marker to the consignee designated on the application, but does not pay for the cost of the plot or the placement of the marker.

Eligibility

Eligibility for memorial plots and headstones or markers is the same as eligibility for burial in a national cemetery. Only a close relative recognized as the next of kin may apply for the benefit. For more information, contact the director of a national cemetery or a VA regional office.

Presidential Memorial Certificates Benefit

The Presidential Memorial Certificate is a parchment certificate with a calligraphic inscription expressing the nation's grateful recognition of the veteran's service. The veteran's name is inscribed and the certificate bears the signature of the President.

Eligibility

Certificates are issued in the name of honorably discharged, deceased veterans. Eligible recipients include next of kin, other relatives and friends. The award of a certificate to one eligible recipient does not preclude certificates to other eligible recipients. The veteran may have died at any time in the past. The local VA regional office generally originates the application for a Presidential Memorial Certificate if a veteran's death is brought to official attention. The next of kin may request a certificate when a servicemember dies on active duty, or if the veteran was not receiving a VA benefit. Requests should be accompanied by a copy of a document such as a discharge to establish honorable service. VA regional offices can assist in applying for certificates. Requests for certificates recognizing service prior to July 16, 1903, should be sent to the VA Regional Office, 941 N. Capitol St., N.E., Washington, DC 20421.

Burial Flags

VA provides an American flag to drape the casket of a veteran who was discharged under conditions other than dishonorable and to a person entitled to retired military pay, including reservists. After the funeral service, the flag may be given to the next of kin or a close associate of the deceased. VA also will issue a flag on behalf of a servicemember who was missing in action and later presumed dead. Rags are issued at any VA regional office, VA national cemetery and most local post offices.

Reimbursement of Burial Expenses

VA will pay a $300 burial and funeral expense allowance for veterans who, at time of death, were entitled to receive pension or compensation or would have been entitled to compensation but for receipt of military retirement pay. Eligibility also is established when death occurs in a VA facility or a nursing home with which VA contracted. Additional costs of transportation of the remains may be reimbursed in those cases. Concerning service-connected deaths, there is no time limit for filing reimbursement claims. In other deaths, claims must be filed within two years after permanent burial or cremation.

VA will pay a $150 plot or interment allowance when the veteran is not buried in a cemetery that is under U.S. government jurisdiction if the veteran is discharged from active duty because of disability incurred or aggravated in line of duty, or if the veteran was in receipt of compensation or pension or would have been in receipt of compensation but for receipt of military retired pay, or if the veteran died while hospitalized by VA. As of Nov. 1, 1990, the plot allowance is no longer payable based solely on wartime service. If the veteran is buried without charge for the cost of a plot or interment in a state-owned cemetery reserved solely for veteran burials, the $150 plot allowance may be paid to the state. If burial expenses were paid by the deceased's employer or a state agency, the burial allowance will not be reimbursed to those making interment arrangements.

VA will pay a burial allowance up to $1,500 instead of the $300 basic allowance and the $150 plot allowance, if the veteran's death is service-connected. VA also will pay the cost of transporting the remains of a service-disabled veteran to the national cemetery nearest the home of the deceased that has available gravesites. In such cases, the person who bore the veteran's burial expenses may claim reimbursement from VA.