Memorial Affairs

In November 2024, VA's National Cemetery Administration (NCA) officially opened new Green Burial sections at three national cemeteries.

Beginning on Nov. 9, 2024, VA will accept applications for payment of a monetary allowance for privately purchased OBRs and for OBRs provided by a grant-funded cemetery, when the OBR is placed at the time of interment. This allowance may be paid for burials that occurred on or after the effective date of the new authority which is Jan. 5, 2023.  

With help from VBA and NCA, an administrative correction honored a WWII soldier's service and Jewish identity.

This year marked the 75th year of the 2024 Gravois Trail Memorial Day Good Turn Boy Scout flag placing at every gravesite at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery.

NCA's Cemetery Restoration Project educates communities about private cemetery owners and the caretakers who honor and memorialize Veterans buried without headstones. The restoration project also restores these private resting places to reflect the dignity and honor these Veterans deserve for their service and sacrifice to our nation.

Rubber Tramp Rendezvous is held annually in January, and it provides an opportunity for those who live a mobile lifestyle—in vehicles such as vans, RVs, and buses—to learn more about the benefits and support available to them.

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.

Carry The Load, an organization dedicated to remembering the fallen, will visit 34 VA National Cemeteries traveling 20,000 miles along five separate routes covering all continental 48 states known as the National Relay for Memorial May 2024.

As part of the Veterans Legacy Program, NCA is awarding grants for a maximum of $400,000 per awardee to qualifying educational institutions and non-profit organizations (501c3).

VA is pleased to present the "2023 VA Federal Benefits Booklet for Veterans, Dependents, Survivors, and Caregivers," a thorough guide that explains the numerous benefits to Veterans, their families and caregivers.

Every eligible Veteran deserves a dignified burial and memorialization to commemorate their service.

A WWII soldier's remains were identified after 80 years by using dental, mitochondrial DNA and anthropological analysis.