Veteran Burial Benefits

Military Funerals
If burial will be in a private cemetery, the family may request a Government headstone or marker for the veteran’s grave. Gravesites in Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) national cemeteries cannot be reserved in advance. However, reservations made prior to 1962 will be honored.

Veteran Headstones and Markers
The 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 December 27, 2001, the VA may provide a headstone or marker only for graves that are not marked with a private headstone.

Veteran Headstones and Markers Eligibility (in private cemetary)
Any member of the Armed Services who dies on active duty or who was discharged under conditions other than dishonorable is eligible for a headstone or marker in a private cemetary.

Presidential Memorial Certificates
A Presidential Memorial Certificate is an engraved paper certificate, signed by the current President, to honor the memory of honorably discharged deceased veterans. Eligible recipients include the deceased veteran’s next of kin and loved ones. More than one certificate may be provided.

Military Funeral Honors
Upon the family's request, the law requires that every eligible veteran receive a military funeral honors ceremony to include folding and presenting the United States burial flag and the playing of Taps.

Burial Flags for Veterans
A United States flag is provided, at no cost, to drape the casket or accompany the urn of a deceased veteran who served honorably in the US Armed Forces. It is furnished to honor the memory of a veteran's military service to his or her country.

Locating Buried Veterans
The US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) National Cemetery Administration can provide limited burial location assistance to family members and close friends of decedents thought to be buried in a VA national cemetery.

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