What Is a National Cemetery
A National Cemetery is a federal burial ground operated by the Veterans Health Administration where eligible veterans, service members, and certain family members can be buried at no cost. The VA maintains 155 National Cemeteries across all 50 states, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines. Burial includes the grave site, opening and closing, headstone or marker, and a flag presentation ceremony with military honors.
Eligibility and Requirements
To qualify for burial in a National Cemetery, you must have served on active duty and received a discharge other than dishonorable. Your DD-214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) serves as your primary proof of eligibility. Spouses and dependent children of eligible veterans can also be buried in the same cemetery, even if they never served.
You do not need an approved VA disability rating to be buried in a National Cemetery. Eligibility is based solely on your service record and discharge status, not on whether you have a service-connected condition or rating from your VA disability claim.
Eligible family members include:
- Surviving spouses (even if remarried after the veteran's death)
- Unmarried dependent children under age 21, or up to age 23 if enrolled full-time in an approved educational institution
- Dependent parents
National Cemetery vs. Burial Benefits
National Cemetery burial is distinct from VA burial benefits under the Burial Benefits program. While National Cemetery provides the grave site and basic services at no cost, VA Burial Benefits provide a burial allowance to help pay for funeral expenses, transportation, and plot interment costs when you use a private cemetery. Veterans typically qualify for up to $2,000 in basic burial allowance (as of 2024). If you choose a National Cemetery, you receive the burial site itself; if you choose a private cemetery, you receive a cash allowance instead.
How to Arrange Burial
To arrange or pre-plan a burial in a National Cemetery, contact the cemetery directly or work through a funeral director. You can also submit VA Form 40-10007 (Application for Burial in a VA National Cemetery) before death to pre-arrange your burial and ensure your family has the information they need. The VA website provides a cemetery locator tool and contact information for all 155 locations.
Pre-planning is especially valuable if you have a service-connected disability or are enrolled in VA health care. Your family will have clear documentation of your eligibility and cemetery location preferences, which simplifies the process during a difficult time.
Connection to Your VA Disability Claim
While National Cemetery eligibility is separate from your VA disability rating decision, understanding this benefit is part of comprehensive benefits planning. Veterans who have filed disability claims often have significant military service documentation already compiled. That same evidence, including your DD-214, also proves your National Cemetery eligibility.
If you work with a Veterans Service Officer (VSO) on your disability claim, mention your interest in pre-planning burial arrangements. VSOs often help veterans and their families understand the full scope of available benefits. Your service record, medical evidence, and C&P exam records do not affect National Cemetery eligibility, but they may support applications for other survivor benefits like Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC).
Common Questions
- Do I lose eligibility for National Cemetery burial if my VA disability claim is denied? No. National Cemetery eligibility is based entirely on your discharge status and service record. A denied disability claim does not affect your burial eligibility or your family's ability to use National Cemetery services.
- Can I pre-plan without filing a disability claim? Yes. You do not need an approved disability rating or any pending claim. Simply contact the cemetery of your choice with your DD-214 to verify eligibility and pre-arrange burial.
- If I'm appealing my disability rating, can my family still use National Cemetery after I pass? Yes. Your appeal status has no impact on National Cemetery access. Your family can proceed with burial arrangements at any point after your death based on your verified military discharge.