Columbarium and Cremation Options in National Cemeteries

For families choosing cremation, national cemeteries offer meaningful options beyond traditional in-ground burial, with the same eligibility and no-cost benefits.

Is cremation an option in national cemeteries?

Yes - most national cemeteries include a columbarium - a structure containing individual niches, each holding an urn with cremated remains, typically marked with a small inscribed plaque. The choice between traditional burial and cremation is generally left to family preference.

Is there a cost difference between burial and columbarium placement?

No - both are generally provided at no cost to eligible veterans, spouses, and dependents, the same as traditional in-ground burial.

Are there other cremation options besides columbarium niches?

Some national cemeteries also offer dedicated in-ground scattering areas specifically for cremated remains, as a separate option from columbarium placement. Availability varies by specific cemetery, so it’s worth checking directly what a particular location offers.

Do the same eligibility rules apply as for traditional burial?

Yes - the same eligibility rules that apply to traditional in-ground burial - for the veteran, an eligible spouse, and eligible dependents - apply equally to columbarium and cremation options. Choosing cremation doesn’t change who qualifies.

How is the choice typically made?

The decision between traditional burial and cremation-based options is generally left entirely to family preference, without a specific benefit or eligibility advantage pointing toward one over the other.

Where can I learn more?

For broader guidance on how cremation works outside the veterans-specific context, see our general guide to how cremation works, and see VA headstones and markers for how memorialization works for columbarium placements specifically.

Availability and specific offerings vary by cemetery — the VA National Cemetery Administration can confirm current details for a specific location.