Veterans have dedicated their lives to serving their country, and many choose to be laid to rest in special cemetery plots reserved for those who have served in the armed forces. These plots serve as a final resting place and a lasting tribute to their sacrifice and commitment.
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) operates national cemeteries across the United States, providing burial benefits to eligible veterans and their family members. These benefits may include a gravesite in a VA national cemetery, opening and closing of the grave, perpetual care, a government headstone or marker, a burial flag, and a Presidential Memorial Certificate.
Eligibility for burial in a VA national cemetery is generally extended to veterans who were discharged under conditions other than dishonorable, as well as their spouses and dependent children. The VA also offers a pre-need eligibility determination program, allowing veterans and their families to plan ahead and confirm their eligibility for burial benefits before the time of need.
History and Importance of Veterans Cemeteries
Veterans cemeteries honor the service and sacrifice of military members. These sacred grounds have evolved over time to provide dignified resting places for those who served their country.
Evolution of Veterans Burial Traditions
The origins of veterans’ burial grounds trace back to the Civil War era. In 1862, Congress authorized the establishment of national cemeteries to inter Union soldiers who died during the conflict. This marked the beginning of a formal system for honoring fallen service members.
Over time, eligibility expanded to include veterans of other wars and conflicts. The government began providing standardized headstones and markers in the late 19th century. Initially, wooden headboards were used, but these were later replaced with more durable stone markers.
As wars continued through the 20th century, the network of veterans cemeteries grew. Today, there are over 150 national cemeteries across the United States, providing a final resting place for millions of veterans and their family members.
Role of National Cemetery Administration
The National Cemetery Administration (NCA), part of the Department of Veterans Affairs, manages most veterans cemeteries in the U.S. Established in its current form in 1973, the NCA oversees 156 national cemeteries and 34 soldiers’ lots.
The NCA’s mission is to honor veterans with dignified burials and lasting memorials. They maintain cemeteries as national shrines, preserving the legacy of those who served. The administration provides headstones, markers, and medallions for veterans’ graves, even in private cemeteries.
In addition to burial services, the NCA works to educate the public about veterans’ contributions and sacrifices. They also partner with states and tribal organizations to establish and maintain additional veterans cemeteries, ensuring broader access to these honored grounds.
Eligibility Requirements
Veterans, service members, and certain family members may qualify for burial in a VA national cemetery. Specific criteria and documentation are required to establish eligibility.
Criteria for Burial in a Veterans Cemetery
Veterans with any discharge other than dishonorable are eligible for burial in a VA national cemetery. This includes those who died on active duty and most service members who served at least 24 continuous months.
National Guard and Reserve members may qualify if they were activated for federal service or died from an injury incurred during training.
Spouses and dependent children of eligible veterans can also be buried in national cemeteries, even if they predecease the veteran.
Merchant Mariners who served during World War II are eligible, as are certain civilians who supported the war effort.
Supporting Documents for Verification
The Department of Veterans Affairs requires specific documents to verify eligibility. These typically include:
- DD Form 214 (discharge papers)
- Military service records
- Marriage certificate (for spouses)
- Birth certificate (for dependent children)
For pre-need eligibility determination, applicants must submit VA Form 40-10007. This form can be completed online, mailed, or faxed to the VA.
Additional documents may be necessary for special cases, such as service-connected deaths or Purple Heart recipients.
It’s advisable to gather these documents in advance to facilitate the burial process for family members.
Types of Veterans Cemeteries
Veterans have several options for final resting places that honor their service. These include dedicated national cemeteries, state-run veterans cemeteries, and special sections within private cemeteries.
VA National Cemeteries
VA national cemeteries provide burial spaces exclusively for veterans and eligible family members. These cemeteries offer a range of benefits at no cost to qualifying veterans. These include the gravesite, opening and closing of the grave, perpetual care, a government headstone or marker, and a burial flag.
VA operates 136 national cemeteries across the United States. Eligibility criteria include veterans with honorable discharges, active duty service members, and certain Reserve and National Guard members. Spouses and dependent children of eligible veterans may also qualify for burial in these cemeteries.
National cemeteries maintain strict standards for appearance and maintenance. They feature uniform headstones or markers and meticulously landscaped grounds. Many also include memorials, monuments, and educational exhibits about military history.
State Veterans Cemeteries
State veterans cemeteries complement the VA national cemetery system. These cemeteries are established and operated by individual states with support from the VA. They follow similar eligibility requirements and offer many of the same benefits as national cemeteries.
State cemeteries often provide burial options closer to veterans’ homes, especially in areas not served by national cemeteries. The VA provides grants to states for the construction, expansion, and improvement of these cemeteries.
Like national cemeteries, state veterans cemeteries typically offer burial plots, interment services, and perpetual care at no cost to eligible veterans. Some may charge fees for spouses or dependents. These cemeteries maintain high standards of appearance and provide a dignified final resting place for veterans.
Private Cemeteries with Veterans Plots
Many private cemeteries include dedicated sections for veterans. These areas may be called veterans gardens, fields of honor, or similar names. They offer a way for veterans to be buried alongside fellow service members while remaining close to family burial plots.
Veterans plots in private cemeteries often feature military-style headstones and patriotic displays. Some may include special monuments or flags. While the cemetery charges for burial plots, eligible veterans can still receive free government-furnished headstones or markers.
Private cemeteries with veterans sections provide an alternative for those who prefer a non-government cemetery or want to be buried near family members. They may offer more flexibility in terms of memorialization options compared to national or state veterans cemeteries.
Burial Options
Veterans have several options for their final resting place. These include traditional burials, cremation with various memorialization choices, burial at sea, and body donation to scientific research. Each option offers unique ways to honor a veteran’s service and legacy.
Traditional Burial
Traditional burial remains a popular choice for veterans. This option includes interment in a casket within a cemetery plot. Veterans can be buried in VA national cemeteries, state veterans cemeteries, or private cemeteries.
VA national cemeteries provide graves, headstones, and perpetual care at no cost to eligible veterans. State veterans cemeteries offer similar benefits, often with additional eligibility criteria. Private cemeteries allow for more personalized choices but may incur higher costs.
The VA provides a government-furnished headstone or grave marker for unmarked graves. These markers come in various styles and materials, including granite, marble, and bronze. Families can also request a Presidential Memorial Certificate to honor the veteran’s service.
Cremation and Memorialization
Cremation offers flexible memorialization options for veterans. Cremated remains can be:
- Interred in a columbarium niche at a VA cemetery
- Buried in a cemetery plot
- Scattered in a designated area of a VA cemetery
- Kept by family members in an urn
VA national cemeteries provide columbarium niches or in-ground burial of cremated remains at no cost to eligible veterans. Some cemeteries offer scattering gardens for those who prefer this option.
Families can choose to place a government-furnished headstone, marker, or medallion at the site of interment or in a memorial section of a cemetery. These markers can be used even if the remains are scattered or kept by the family.
Buried at Sea and Other Alternatives
Burial at sea is an option for veterans who served in the Navy or Coast Guard, as well as other eligible veterans. The Department of the Navy conducts these ceremonies from Navy vessels. Requirements include:
- Use of a metal casket for casketed remains
- Biodegradable urns for cremated remains
- Adherence to environmental regulations
Other alternatives include:
- Aerial scattering of cremated remains
- Green burial in biodegradable containers
- Incorporation of remains into artificial reefs
These options may require additional planning and coordination with private service providers.
Donation to Science
Veterans can choose to donate their bodies to scientific research or medical education. This option supports advancements in medicine and can help train future healthcare professionals.
Steps for body donation:
- Contact a medical school or research facility
- Complete necessary paperwork in advance
- Inform family members of the decision
After research is complete, remains are typically cremated and returned to the family. Families can then choose to inter or scatter the ashes. Some institutions offer memorial services to honor donors.
Veterans who donate their bodies may still be eligible for memorial benefits, such as a government headstone or marker placed in a memorial section of a cemetery.
Markers and Headstones
Veterans’ graves are honored with distinctive markers and headstones provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs. These memorials serve as lasting tributes to those who served their country.
Standard Issue Grave Markers
The VA offers free standard headstones and markers for eligible veterans. These come in several styles:
- Upright marble or granite headstones (42 inches tall, 13 inches wide, 4 inches thick)
- Flat granite or marble markers (24 inches long, 12 inches wide, 4 inches thick)
- Bronze niche markers for columbaria (8.5 inches long, 5.5 inches wide, 0.5 inches thick)
Standard inscriptions include the veteran’s name, branch of service, year of birth, year of death, and war service if applicable. Additional optional items like religious emblems, medals, or valor awards may be added.
For private cemeteries where the grave already has a marker, bronze medallions are available to affix to existing headstones. These come in 3 sizes: small (2 inches), medium (3.75 inches), and large (5 inches).
Customizing Markers and Monuments
While the VA provides standard markers, families have options for personalization:
- Adding a brief personal inscription (subject to space limitations)
- Choosing from approved religious emblems
- Selecting between upright and flat markers where cemetery rules allow
For those desiring more customization, private monuments can be used instead of or in addition to VA markers. Many cemeteries permit larger family monuments with the veteran’s information inscribed.
Some considerations for custom markers:
- Must comply with cemetery regulations on size and materials
- Typically at the family’s expense
- Can incorporate military service details alongside personal elements
Financial Considerations
Veterans and their families face important financial decisions when choosing a cemetery plot. The costs and available benefits can significantly impact the final arrangements.
Interment Allowance
Veterans may be eligible for an interment allowance from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). This benefit helps cover burial and funeral expenses. The VA provides a $300 plot allowance for veterans buried in a state, territory, or tribal cemetery.
For veterans buried in a private cemetery, the VA offers reimbursement of up to $796 for plot costs. This amount increases annually based on the Consumer Price Index. To claim this benefit, families must submit an application within two years of the veteran’s burial or cremation.
Costs of Private versus Public Cemeteries
Private cemetery plots typically cost between $1,000 and $5,000. Prices can exceed $10,000 in high-demand locations. Additional expenses like grave liners, urns, and headstones may increase the total cost.
Public cemeteries, including national and state veterans cemeteries, often provide free burial plots for eligible veterans. These cemeteries also cover grave opening and closing fees, perpetual care, and government headstones or markers.
Families should compare the costs of private and public options. Private cemeteries may offer more location choices and customization options. Public veterans cemeteries provide significant cost savings but may have limited availability.
Honoring Veterans
Veterans’ sacrifices are commemorated through special services and events at national cemeteries. These solemn occasions pay tribute to those who served and preserve their legacies for future generations.
Memorial Services and Traditions
Military funeral honors are a key part of honoring veterans. These include the folding and presentation of the American flag to next of kin and the playing of “Taps.” A rifle volley may also be fired as a salute.
Many cemeteries hold annual Memorial Day and Veterans Day ceremonies. These feature speakers, wreath-laying, and patriotic music to remember the fallen.
Some traditions vary by branch of service. For example, the Navy may conduct “burial at sea” ceremonies for eligible veterans.
Volunteer groups often place flags or wreaths on veterans’ graves during holidays as a show of respect and gratitude.
Commemorative Events
National cemeteries host special events throughout the year to honor veterans. These include candlelight vigils, motorcycle rides, and 5K runs/walks.
Some cemeteries organize “Wreaths Across America” events in December. Volunteers place wreaths on veterans’ graves nationwide.
Educational programs teach younger generations about veterans’ service and sacrifice. These may involve school field trips or living history demonstrations.
Patriotic concerts and ceremonies are held on holidays like Independence Day. These celebrate veterans’ role in preserving American freedoms.
Veterans organizations often participate in or lead commemorative events at cemeteries to honor their fellow servicemembers.