Beginning June 10, families of deceased and cremated Veterans can apply to receive commemorative plaques or urns from VA if they do not want to inter their loved ones in a VA National Cemetery or receive a government-furnished headstone, marker or medallion for placement in any cemetery.
Commemorative urns (seen at right) are used to hold the remains of a deceased, cremated Veteran, and commemorative plaques (below, right) are designed to hang on a wall. Both the urns and the plaques honor a Veteran’s service and serves as a lasting tribute to the individual’s status as a Veteran. Eligible family members can request one or the other, but not both.
It’s important to note that, if a family chooses a plaque or an urn to commemorate a Veteran, VA is prohibited by law from interring that Veteran’s remains in a VA national cemetery or from providing a headstone, marker or medallion for placement in any cemetery. Families should be certain of their choice. If the family chooses to receive a plaque or an urn to commemorate their Veteran, their decision cannot be undone. The law does not provide a method to restore these benefits.
To be eligible, the Veteran (or service member who died on active duty) must have served in the Armed Forces on or after April 6, 1917; the Veteran must be eligible for a headstone or marker under 38 U.S.C. § 2306(d), and the Veteran’s remains must have been cremated—with no portion of the remains interred at any location.
More information about NCA memorial options can be found on the VA website. More details, including an application for commemorative plaques and urns, will be available on June 10. Information about VA burial and memorial benefits is available online, at VA national cemeteries, or by calling toll-free at 1-800-827-1000. To make burial arrangements at any VA national cemetery at the time of need, call the National Cemetery Scheduling Office at 1-800-535-1117. VA also encourages Veterans to apply for Pre-Need Eligibility to establish eligibility for VA burial and memorial benefits in advance of need.
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My father was a WWII veteran who had received a purple heart during his time in the service. Because of what he had seen during the war he never applied for his VA benefits. He passed away in December of 2022. The fact that he did not qualify for VA burial assistance or commemorative plaques or an urn is not right, in my opinion. Even though he did not sacrifice his life for this country, he served and was injured during his time in the service.
Wendy, these urns/plaques are new options that didn’t exist when he passed away.
A veteran does not need to be receiving other benefits to be eligible for placement at a VA cemetery, or to receive these items once they are available. General eligibility for burial is 1. served on active duty 2.not dishonorably discharged 3. did not commit specific capitol crimes. Specific eligibility can be determined through the NCA offices via telephone.
Monetary burial benefits differ from these items, and are more specific to each veteran’s eligibility. I would strongly encourage you to reach out to a veteran’s service officer in your area for more information. My condolences on his passing.
Absolutely beautiful. How wonderful that we expand our Memorial Items to honor our Veterans this way.