The National Cemetery Administration operates over 150 national cemeteries across the country. Burial in a national cemetery is available at no cost to eligible veterans and includes the gravesite, opening and closing of the grave, a government headstone or marker, and perpetual maintenance. Eligible veterans include those who served on active duty and received a discharge other than dishonorable. Members of the reserve components who died while on active duty, during training, or who completed the required service for retirement eligibility are also eligible. Spouses and dependent children of eligible veterans can be buried in a national cemetery even if the veteran is not buried there, as long as there is available space. The burial options typically include casketed burial in a full-sized gravesite and cremated remains in either a full-sized gravesite, a columbarium niche, or a special scatter garden where available. Some cemeteries offer all options while others are limited by space. Pre-need eligibility determination is available so you can confirm your eligibility in advance. This does not reserve a specific gravesite but does speed up the process when the time comes. At-need burial requests are processed quickly, often within 24 to 48 hours. Contact the national cemetery where you wish to be buried to learn about available options and to begin the scheduling process.
Note: This article references sections of the VA's M21-1 Adjudication Procedures Manual. The VA periodically reorganizes the M21-1 and section numbers may have changed since this article was written. For the most current section references, visit the VA's public M21-1 Web Automated Reference Material System (WARMS).