Person Eligible for Burial in a National Cemetary
Assignment of Space
Burial Costs
Arrangement
Questions and Answers

Persons Eligible for Burial in a National Cemetary:

    a. Any member of the Armed Forces of the United States who dies on active duty.
    b. Any person who entered active service as an enlisted person before September 7, 1980, or as an officer before October 17, 1981, and whose discharge or separation is shown as "other than dishonorable".
    c. Any person whose first tour of duty began on or after the dates shown in paragraph b. above is eligible if a continuous period of 24 months or the full period for which called to active duty or completed, or was released for hardship discharge or has a compensable service connected disability. I all cases, the discharge or release must b "other than dishonorable".
    d. The spouse, widow, widower, and minor children of the eligible active duty member or veteran.
    e. Unmarried adult children of eligible active duty members or veterans if they become permanently incapable of self support because of a physical or mental disability before attaining the of 21 years. Special documentary evidence is required.
    f. Others having served in certain duties, specific times, or as authorized by the Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs.

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Assignment of Space:

One grave site is authorized for the burial of all family members. When a death occurs and a burial in the national cemetery is authorized, grave space is assigned in the name of the veteran or active duty member, ONLY at the time of need.

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Burial Costs:

    a. The government provides the grave site, the opening and closing of the grave, the permanent flat marker and its installation at no cost to the next of kin.
    b. The Department of Veterans Affairs also provides an outer container. Other types of burial of liners may be used and must be funded privately.
    c. In most cases the services of the funeral director and other related costs must be paid for from private funds.

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 Arrangement:

    a. A person contemplating burial in the national cemetery should have military documents readily available to survivors. Prearrangements may be made with a funeral director of their choice.
    b. When a death occurs, it is best that the funeral director contact the cemetery at 1-209-854-1040.

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Questions and Answers:

Q. Who is eligible to receive veteran's burial benefits?
A. The Veterans Administration (VA) will pay a $300 burial and funeral expense allowance for deceased veterans who were, at the time of death, entitled to receive pension or compensation, or would have been entitled to receive compensation but for the receipt of military retired pay.

Eligibility is also established when death occurs in a VA facility or in a contract nursing home to which the deceased was properly admitted.

The VA will also pay a $150 plot or interment allowance if the requirements for the burial allowance are met, or if the deceased was discharged from active duty because of disability which was incurred or aggravated in the line of duty.
The plot allowance is not payable if the veteran is buried in a national cemetery. If the veteran is buried without charge for the cost of a plot or interment in a state owned cemetery, used solely for burying persons eligible for burial in a national cemetery, the $150 plot allowance may be paid to the state.

For veterans who die of a service connected disability, the VA will pay a burial allowance up to $1,500 in lieu of other burial benefits.
 
Q. Who is eligible to receive a burial flag?
A. The VA will issue an American flag to drape the casket of an eligible veteran who was discharged under conditions other than dishonorable. They will also issue a flag for a veteran who is missing in action and is later presumed dead.
 
Q. What happens to the flag after the funeral service?
A. After the funeral service, the flag may be given to the next of kin or close friend or associate of the deceased.
 
Q. Will the Veterans Administration provide a headstone or marker?
A. The VA will furnish, upon request, at no charge to the applicant, a government monument to mark the grave of an eligible veteran buried in a national, military post or base, state veterans; or private cemetery.
 
For further information contact the nearest VA Regional Office or write the Director, Office of Memorial Programs (403), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420-0001. Or you may telephone the Applicant Assistance Division at 1-800-697-6947.

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