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National Cemetery Administration

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Pre-Need Eligibility form.

Pre-Need Eligibility


Planning in advance for a Veteran's or loved-one's final resting place can eliminate unnecessary delays and reduce stress on a family at a difficult time.


Green burial. Return to nature. Rest in green. Eco-friendly farewell. Sow seeds of life.

Green Burials


NCA accepts both cremated and intact remains that are prepared naturally for interment in green burial sections at its open national cemeteries.


Three sizes of Bronze Medallions.

Memorial Benefit: Medallion


Medallions are furnished in lieu of a traditional Government headstone or grave marker for those Veterans who served on or after April 6, 1917, and whose grave in a private cemetery is marked with a privately purchased headstone or marker.


Image of Map from the NCA Find a Cemetery page.

Find a Cemetery


NCA's interactive map enables Veterans to search for their final resting place or for those who want to visit their Veteran interred at 157 VA managed or 124 VA grant-funded cemeteries.


Plan in Advance Green Burials Memorial Benefit: Medallion Find a Cemetery
 

Determining Your Burial Eligibility in Advance

Planning ahead for a Veteran's or loved one's final resting place can eliminate unnecessary delays and reduce stress on a family at a difficult time.

Apply online for pre-need eligibility determinations:

  • Veteran or servicemember
  • Spouse
  • Dependent family member

More information: Pre-need eligibility for burial in a VA national cemetery

If your Veteran or loved one has already passed away, you do not need to apply for a pre-need determination. Call the National Cemetery Scheduling Office directly at 800-535-1117 (TTY: 711) to determine your loved one's eligibility for time-of-need requests.

Burial and Memorial Benefits

Review the VA benefits to plan the burial or memorial for Veterans and family members, check eligibility and find out how to apply.

Learn about these VA burial and memorial benefits and more:

  • Headstone or marker
  • Medallion
  • Presidential Memorial Certificates
  • Burial flag
  • Burial allowance

Veterans Legacy Memorial

The Veterans Legacy Memorial is the nation's largest digital platform dedicated to the memory of more than 10 million Veterans and servicemembers.

Visit their memorial pages to celebrate their legacy, military service and sacrifice to our nation.

  • Post tributes
  • Upload images
  • Share biographical information and historical documents
Members of the 99th Fighter Squadron, Tuskegee Airmen. (NARA).

Tuskegee Airmen Day (Mar. 26)

On March 26, NCA honors Tuskegee Airmen Day. Their flight school in Tuskegee, Alabama, began as a civilian pilot-training program, as the U.S. military denied African Americans the opportunity to fly until 1940. During World War II, Tuskegee Airmen served in the African American flying units of the U.S. Army Air Forces, credited with 1,491 missions.

They served as pilots, navigators, bombardiers, engineers, quartermasters, warrant officers, support and medical personnel, and instructors. Their achievements advanced integration practices and civil rights in the middle decades of the twentieth century and their accomplishments laid siege to entrenched prejudice in American society and military policy. In 2006, Tuskegee Airmen received the Congressional Gold Medal for their service.

Nearly 100 Tuskegee Airmen are interred at VA national cemeteries. Learn more about them and visit their memorial pages to celebrate the legacy, military service, and sacrifice of these heroes.

National Medal of Honor Day. Honor those who have gone above and beyond the call of duty.

National Medal of Honor Day (Mar. 25)

The greatest commendation our nation can confer is the Medal of Honor. The first Medals of Honor were presented on March 25, 1863. To commemorate this date and all Medal of Honor recipients, Congress declared March 25th as National Medal of Honor Day.

The Medal of Honor is reserved for those who have distinguished themselves "conspicuously by gallantry and intrepidity." This National Medal of Honor Day, we remember the courage and selfless sacrifice of those incredible individuals.

There are 434 Medal of Honor recipients buried in VA national cemeteries including 6 double recipients. Learn more about the Medal of Honor recipients and visit their memorial pages to celebrate their legacy, military service and sacrifice to our nation.

VLM Featured Veterans
National Submarine Day (Apr. 11)
Hyman G. Rickover
U.S. Navy, ADM
WWI · WWII · Korea · Vietnam
Distinguished Service Medal
Legion of Merit
Father of U.S. Navy's nuclear submarine program
Jan 27, 1900 – Jul 8, 1986
Photo for Featured Veteran from the Veterans Legacy Memorial (VLM): Hyman G. Rickover, U.S. Navy, ADM, WWI, WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Father of U.S. Navy's nuclear submarine program, January 27, 1900 to July 8, 1986.
Richard O'Kane
U.S. Navy, RADM
World War II
Medal of Honor · Purple Heart
Navy Cross (3) · Silver Star (3)
USS Tang · USS Wahoo
Prisoner of War
Feb 2, 1911 – Feb 16, 1994
Photo for Featured Veteran from the Veterans Legacy Memorial (VLM): Richard O'Kane, U.S. Navy, RADM, World War II, Medal of Honor, Purple Heart, 3 Navy Crosses, 3 Silver Stars, USS Tang, USS Wahoo, Prisoner of War, February 2, 1911 to February 16, 1994.
Dudley W. Morton
U.S. Navy, CDR
World War II
Navy Cross (4) · Purple Heart
Distinguished Service Cross
USS Wahoo
Jul 17, 1907 – Oct 11, 1943
Photo for Featured Veteran from the Veterans Legacy Memorial (VLM): Dudley W. Morton, U.S. Navy, CDR, World War II, 4 Navy Crosses, Purple Heart, Distinguished Service Cross, USS Wahoo, July 17, 1907 to October 11, 1943.
Resources
Contact NCA
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Online answers to your questions:
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MyVA411 main information line:
800-698-2411

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Mail us
National Cemetery Administration
Attn: General Inquiries
810 Vermont Ave
Washington, DC 20420