National Cemetery Administration

Veterans Cemetery Grants Program

Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery at North Little Rock. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Spc. Stephen Wright)

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Veterans Cemetery Grants Program (VCGP) was established in 1978 to complement VA's national cemeteries. The program assists states, territories, and tribal governments in providing gravesites for Veterans in those areas where NCA cannot fully satisfy their burial needs.

Since 1980, VCGP has provided over $1.1 billion in grants in 46 states, 14 tribal nations, and 3 territories (Guam, Saipan, and Puerto Rico) to establish, expand, improve, operate, or maintain a total of 122 Veterans cemeteries.

In 2024, VCGP cemeteries interred more than 42,720 Veterans and eligible family members, which is approximately 24% of the 176,965 total annual interments in all national, state, tribal, and territory cemeteries.

Grants may be used only to establish, expand or improve Veterans cemeteries that are owned and operated by a state, territory or tribal government on trust land. Aid is granted only to states, U.S. territories and federally recognized tribal governments, not to private organizations, counties, cities or other government agencies.

VA can provide up to 100 percent of the development cost for an approved project. For establishment of new cemeteries, VA can provide for operating equipment as well. VA cannot pay for acquisition of land.

Cemeteries funded under the grant program must conform to the standards and guidelines pertaining to site selection, planning and construction prescribed by VA.

Cemeteries must be operated solely for the interment of Veterans (as defined in 38 CFR part 39.2), and their eligible family members (see 38 CFR part 39.10).

The administration, operation, and maintenance of a VA-supported state cemetery is solely the responsibility of the state, territory or tribal government.

VA is authorized to pay a "plot allowance" of $978 to a state, territory or tribal government for expenses incurred in the burial of an eligible Veteran without charge. The program is administered by the Veterans Benefits Administration.

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