Gravesites in Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) National Cemeteries cannot be reserved in advance.

You should advise your family of your wishes and where your discharge papers* are kept.  These papers are very important in establishing your eligibility.  Upon request, VA will make eligibility determinations for burial in a VA National Cemetery in advance of need.

At the time of need, your family would contact a funeral home who will assist them with making burial arrangements at the National Cemetery. You may wish to make  pre-need arrangements with a funeral home.

To schedule a burial in all Department of Veterans Affairs National Cemeteries, please contact the National Cemetery Scheduling Office by following the instructions listed below: 

STEP1:  Submit Eligibility Documentation

               Fax Eligibility Documents to 1-866-900-6417 or scan and E-Mail to NCA Scheduling @va.gov.

               It is important to have all eligibility documentation available prior to calling the Scheduling Office.  Burial in a National Cemetery is based on military service. A copy of an official military discharge document bearing an official seal or other supporting documentation is usually sufficient to determine eligibility for burial.  The document must show release from service was under conditions other than dishonorable discharge. Documentation is not usually needed for scheduling when a veteran or eligible dependent is already interred in a National Cemetery.

              If you have no eligibility documentation, Scheduling Office agents will assist you with the verification process. Requests for eligibility determination when no military discharge documents are available may require 48 hours or more for verification. Scheduling Office personnel will contact you within 48 hours of the initial process with verification results or an explanation of the delay.

STEP 2: Call 1-800-535-1117

               To assist you, please have the following information available:

               –Cemetery of Choice

               –First or subsequent burial (veteran or dependent already buried)

               –If subsequent interment, who is already interred, section and site number (if known)

               –Decedent’s Full Name, gender, SSN, date of death, date of birth and relationship (veteran or dependent)

               –Contact info (Funeral Director’s name as well as the name, address, and email address of the funeral home)

               –Next of kin information (name, relationship to deceased, SSN, phone number, address)

               –Type of religious emblem for headstone (if known)

               –Did the decedent reside within 75 miles of requested cemetery

               –Zip Code of decedent at time of death

               –Marital status of deceased (if Veteran is buried in a private cemetery, must provide documentation of Marital status of spouse at time                    of death)

               –Casket size/Liner size/Cremation Urn size               

               –Is Surviving Spouse a Veteran?

               –Any disabled children for future interment (must provide name and date of birth). If requested immediate interment (must provide                        marital status, doctor’s statement stating type of illness, date of onset of illness and capability of self-support)

               –Military Honors requested

Burial Benefits available include a gravesite in any of 136 National 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.  Cremation Remains are buried or inurned in National Cemeteries in the same manner and with the same honors as casketed remains.

The Code of Federal Regulation (CFR) 38.632 “Headstone and Marker Application Process” became effective on July 1, 2009.  This regulation describes the processes required to apply for a Government headstone and marker, as well as request a new emblem of belief be added to the list of emblems available for inspection on headstones and markers.

An engraved certificate may be signed by the current President to honor the memory of honorably discharged deceased veteran.

The Veterans Benefit Administration offers a variety of benefits and services to spouse, children, and parents of service members and veterans who are deceased or totally and permanently disabled by a service – connected disability.