Veteran burial in a national cemetery

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) allows qualifying veterans to be buried in national cemeteries. In some cases, their spouse or child may also be eligible.

Eligibility for burial in a national cemetery

To qualify for burial in a national cemetery, a veteran or their dependents must meet the VA’s eligibility requirements.

• Veterans - Check for eligibility based on the veteran’s discharge status and when and where they served.
• Family members - Spouses may qualify even if the veteran they married died and the spouse remarried. Both minor and unmarried adult children who qualify as dependents of a veteran may also be eligible for burial.

Get more information about who is eligible for burial in a national cemetery.

Pre-apply for burial in a national cemetery

You can find out in advance if you can be buried in a national cemetery. Follow the steps to apply for pre-need eligibility for burial in a VA national cemetery.

You may apply online or download and mail your application [PDF, 136KB] to:

NCA Intake Center
P.O. Box 5237
Janesville, WI 53547

If the VA approves your application, you will receive a pre-need decision letter. Share this letter with your family to make the burial process easier.

Schedule burial in a national cemetery

The process to schedule a burial is different if the deceased person received a pre-need decision letter or not.

Many U.S. states and government agencies, including the VA, maintain veterans cemeteries where your loved one may be eligible for burial. The Department of the Army maintains Arlington National Cemetery and the United States Soldiers' & Airmen's Home National Cemetery. Find a list of national cemeteries in the U.S. from the National Cemetery Administration.

Keep in mind that the VA cannot guarantee burial in a specific cemetery.

Scheduling with a pre-need decision letter

If there is a pre-need letter, a loved one or funeral director can request the burial. Call the National Cemetery Scheduling Office at 1-800-535-1117.

Scheduling without a pre-need decision letter

Without a pre-need letter, follow the VA’s three steps to schedule a burial.

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