In 2014, NCA conducted a nationwide survey of Veterans to determine an interest in burial and memorial options not then offered in national cemeteries. Forty-one percent of respondents agreed that the VA should offer an environmentally friendly burial option, including 48% of Veteran respondents between the ages of 18 and 39. In addition, 75% of Veterans interviewed agreed that burial in a defined, naturalistic section in a national cemetery would be acceptable and dignified.
In 2022, Congress authorized the VA to establish green burial sections through the National Cemeteries Preservation and Protection Act. The law provides that remains interred in a green burial section must be prepared for burial in a manner that does not involve chemicals or embalming fluids, and require the use of non-toxic and biodegradable materials, such as caskets, shrouds and urns.
"NCA is pleased to begin offering this new option to Veterans and their family members eligible for interment in a VA national cemetery," said Ronald E. Walters, VA's Principal Deputy Under Secretary for Memorial Affairs. "It reflects our commitment to understand and address the emerging burial preferences of Veterans and their loved ones."
NCA will accept both cremated and intact remains for interment in green burial sections. While green burial sections are new, NCA has always accepted remains that are prepared naturally and/or presented in a biodegradable container for burial in VA national cemeteries and will continue to do so at its open cemeteries even if they are not one of the three pilot sites.
