National Cemeteries: Eligibility and How to Arrange Burial

National cemetery burial is one of the most significant benefits available to veterans and their families — here’s how eligibility and arrangements actually work.

Who qualifies?

Generally:

• Veterans with an honorable or general discharge
• Eligible spouses, who can be buried in the same national cemetery
• In some cases, dependent children

Certain discharge statuses can affect eligibility - the VA can confirm specifics for an individual situation.

Can a veteran’s spouse also be buried in a national cemetery?

Yes - eligible spouses and, in some cases, dependent children can be buried in the same national cemetery as the veteran, generally at no cost.

Can I confirm eligibility before it’s actually needed?

Yes - the VA offers a pre-need eligibility determination process, letting veterans and families confirm and document eligibility before it’s actually needed - a useful option for anyone specifically planning ahead rather than waiting until a time-sensitive situation.

Do I get to choose which national cemetery?

Families can generally request a specific national cemetery, though space availability varies significantly by location, and some cemeteries have closed to new interments due to space constraints. The VA National Cemetery Administration can confirm current availability for a specific location.

Who actually arranges the burial in a national cemetery?

This process is typically coordinated through a funeral home, which works directly with National Cemetery Administration staff to schedule and arrange the interment - families generally don’t need to contact the cemetery directly themselves.

Not sure which VA benefits apply to a specific situation? Our Veterans Benefits Finder tool can help identify what’s worth exploring.

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