VA - Burial Benefits - Veteran & Dependent burial in VA National Cemeteries
National Cemetery Administration (NCA) http://www.cem.va.gov
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.
VA - Burial Benefits - Partial Reimbursement of Expenses
VA burial allowances are partial reimbursements of eligible veterans' burial and funeral costs. When the cause of death is not service-related, VA may be able to pay two modest allowances:
One for burial and funeral expense, and
One for the cemetery plot.
When the cause of death is service-related, the reimbursement comes in the form of a single, larger payment for burial and funeral expenses. In some service-connected death cases, VA can pay a reimbursement for transportation costs.
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General Program Requirements
The veteran must have been discharged under conditions other than dishonorable.VA can pay a reimbursement only if the expenses for the funeral/burial have not been reimbursed by another government agency or some other source.
Generally, at least one of following additional eligibility criteria must also be met. Reimbursement is possible if the veteran:
Died because of a service-related disability, OR
Was receiving VA pension or compensation at the time of death, OR
Was entitled to receive VA compensation, but decided not to reduce his/her military retired pay, OR
Died in a VA hospital or while in a nursing home under VA contract, or while in an approved state nursing home, OR
Had a claim pending at the time of death and has been found entitled to compensation or pension from a date prior to the date of death, OR
Died while traveling, under proper authorization and at VA expense, to or from a specified place for the purpose of examination, treatment, or care.
National Guard and Reserve members who were activated for federal military service and later separated are considered to be veterans. Commissioned Officers of the Public Health Service and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration are considered to be active duty members and veterans, once discharged.
VA - Burial Benefits - Presidential Memorial Certificates
A Presidential Memorial Certificate (PMC) is an engraved paper certificate, signed by the current President, to honor the memory of honorably discharged deceased veterans.
General Program Requirements
This benefit may not be requested for a living veteran.
The veteran must have received an honorable discharge or a general discharge under honorable conditions.
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.
Eligible recipients (those who may receive a Presidential Memorial Certificate) include the deceased veteran's next of kin and loved ones.
Requests for this benefit may only be submitted by an eligible recipient. An eligible recipient is the next of kin, a relative or a friend, or someone authorized to act on behalf of such relative or friend.
VA - Burial Benefits - Headstones and Markers for Placement in Private Cemeteries
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.
