Many military veterans and their family members are eligible for burial in a U.S. national cemetery. For those interested in burial at one of these sites — or at another federal government-supported veterans burial location — planning ahead can simplify the process when the need arises. 
 
Here are some basic details and resources to keep in mind when seeking a national cemetery burial:
 
Cemetery locations
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) National Cemetery Administration maintains 157 national cemeteries and 35 soldiers’ lots and monument sites. Additionally, the VA has provided financial support for 124 locally maintained cemeteries, called VA Grant-Funded Veterans Cemeteries, as well as 14 tribal cemeteries. Not all states have national cemeteries, but options for veterans’ burials are available in all 50 states as well as Guam, Saipan, and Puerto Rico. 
 
A list of national cemeteries is at www.cem.va.gov/find-cemetery/all-national.asp. A searchable database of locations is available at www.cem.va.gov/find-cemetery/. To see a list of VA Grant-Funded Veterans Cemeteries, visit www.cem.va.gov/find-cemetery/all-grant-funded.asp.

Veteran eligibility

Generally, veterans who have met minimum active-duty service requirements and are without a dishonorable discharge, and those who died while in training or on active duty, are eligible for free burial in a national cemetery. Spouses, widows or widowers, minor children, and, in some cases, parents as well as adult children with disabilities, also may be eligible. 
 
Complete details about who is eligible and who is not eligible for burial in a national cemetery are available at www.va.gov/burials-memorials/eligibility/. 
 
Those who want to be buried in a national cemetery can visit www.va.gov/burials-and-memorials/pre-need/form-10007-apply-for-eligibility/introduction now to complete a pre-need application and determine if they are eligible. This online application is the equivalent of VA Form 40-10007, Application for Pre-Need Determination of Eligibility for Burial in a VA National Cemetery. 
 
The application process can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months, depending on the availability of space and the circumstances of the application. 
 
Those seeking a VA-supported burial for a family member who has already passed away should visit www.va.gov/burials-memorials/schedule-a-burial/ for instructions. 
 
VA Grant-Funded Veterans Cemeteries’ eligibility requirements typically are similar to those of national cemeteries, but they may have different residency rules. More information is available through each cemetery as outlined at www.cem.va.gov/find-cemetery/all-grant-funded.asp.
 
Arlington National Cemetery and the Soldiers’ and Airmen’s Home National Cemetery, operated by the Department of the Army, have different eligibility requirements. Information about those rules is available at www.arlingtoncemetery.mil/Funerals/Scheduling-a-Funeral/Establishing-Eligibility.
 
The VA provides information about which application materials veterans and their families need, what factors they should consider, and how to apply for various types of burials for veterans. Those interested should visit www.va.gov/burials-memorials/pre-need-eligibility/ for this guidance. 

Burial benefits
For veterans who qualify, national cemetery burial benefits include the following, provided at no cost to the family:
• Burial site at a national cemetery with available space
• Opening and closing of the grave
• Headstone or marker 
• Presidential Memorial Certificate to honor the veteran
• Burial flag
• Care of the burial site and cemetery grounds
 
Veterans also can receive an online Veterans Legacy Memorial (VLM) profile page as well as military funeral honors. Additionally, family members of a veteran may be eligible for a burial allowance for the veteran to cover burial, funeral, and transportation costs not provided in the standard VA benefits. 
 
More information about benefits and how to apply for them is available at www.va.gov/burials-memorials/ and in the Guide to VA Burial and Memorial Benefits at www.cem.va.gov/docs/wcag/outreach/Infosheet-Guide-to-VA-Burial-and-Memorial-Benefits.pdf.
 
Eligible family members may be buried at a national cemetery even if they die before the veteran, with burial typically in the same gravesite where the veteran will be buried. In this case, the inscription on the gravestone first carries the name of the family member who has died, with the name of the veteran added when they pass away.

Headstones and markers
Upon request, the VA will furnish a government headstone or marker for the unmarked grave of an eligible veteran in any cemetery around the world. For burial in national cemeteries, state veterans cemeteries, or military post or base cemeteries, officials from that site will order the headstone or marker based on information the veteran’s next of kin provides.

Flat markers in granite, marble, and bronze and upright headstones in granite and marble are available. For the inurnment of cremated remains, families may choose bronze niche markers. Selected styles must comply with guidelines for the cemetery of the burial. 
 
For veterans who died on or after Nov. 1, 1990, the VA may provide a government headstone or marker even if the grave also has a privately purchased headstone or marker. The National Cemetery Administration’s website has additional information about headstones, markers, and other benefits at www.cem.va.gov/burial-memorial-benefits/. 
 
 
American Legion grave markers
American Legion Flag & Emblem Sales sells free-standing bronze grave markers for all military branches and war eras. Also available are markers representing The American Legion, American Legion Auxiliary, Sons of The American Legion, and The American Legion Riders.
 
Proceeds support American Legion programs.
 
There are no restrictions on who can purchase the markers, but those who plan to place one at a grave should contact the cemetery where it will be located to ensure that it adheres to display guidelines. Bronze markers range in price from $46.99 to $99.99. Plastic markers with emblems for the Legion and ALA are available for $9.99. 
 
For more information and to order from Emblem Sales, visit www.Emblem.Legion.org.