Information for Volunteers
Volunteers are an invaluable resource for the NCA and VA national cemeteries. There are many opportunities and ways you can volunteer at a VA national cemetery to honor and remember interred Veterans along with their family members. Becoming a volunteer is a great way to learn about Veterans' sacrifices for our nation.
Many youth organizations and students at public schools, colleges and universities have requirements for volunteer hours. These individuals and groups, as well as various components of the Department of Defense (DoD) including active-duty service members and National Guard and Reserve forces, and Veterans Service Organizations (VSO) can find annual volunteer opportunities or more frequent projects and activities available at VA national cemeteries.
Annual Volunteer Events in May
Memorial Day, a federal holiday held the last Monday in May, is the nation's foremost annual day to mourn and honor its deceased service men and women. The VA is proud to host public Memorial Day commemoration ceremonies at more than 130 of our national cemeteries this Memorial Day weekend. Find ceremony dates and start times for a cemetery near you.
Locations: Participating cemeteries
Dates: May 19, 23–27, 30
Volunteers organized by Carry The Load will visit 16 VA national cemeteries to remember those that paid the ultimate sacrifice and to honor and preserve their legacy. Individuals at the events carry signs, banners and flags honoring a fallen servicemember, Veteran or first responder. Participants can post on a Veteran's memorial page at Veterans Legacy Memorial.
Locations: Participating cemeteries
Dates: May 1–24.
Every year, Travis Manion Foundation (TMF) mobilizes volunteers across the country to pay respect to fallen heroes on and around Memorial Day. TMF will hold events at over 50 cemeteries, where volunteers will place hand-crafted commemorative tokens at the resting places of fallen heroes and pause to reflect on their service and sacrifice.
Locations: Participating cemeteries
Dates: May 17, 18, 24–26
Annual Volunteer Events in September
Carry The Load organizes volunteer events at national cemeteries to provide Americans with active ways to honor those who have served our country. The event includes a brief ceremony and instructions to volunteers on headstone cleaning and beautification. This is a great service opportunity for employee engagement, youth groups and individuals.
Locations: Participating cemeteries
Dates: September 2025
Saluting Branches is a national day of service where tree care professionals volunteer their time and skills to care for trees and landscapes at national cemeteries, honoring our nation's Veterans by improving the appearance and safety of cemeteries, which are symbols of our nation's history and service. Volunteers are encouraged to post photos or tributes on Veterans Legacy Memorial.
Locations: Participating cemeteries
Date: September 17
Other Ways to Volunteer
Find a VA national cemetery
If you want to learn more about volunteering at a VA national cemetery or have interest in completing a service project at one, find a VA national cemetery near you for cemetery details and contact information.
Contact a VA national cemetery
Contact a VA national cemetery to find out what volunteer opportunities may be available.
Obtain approval from a VA national cemetery
Any volunteer event or service project must be done in coordination with and approved by VA national cemetery staff.
Honor Veterans at time of burial
- Serve in Military Funeral Honors details
- Play live "Taps" at Veterans' funerals
Staff the public information centers
- Greet visitors
- Assist Veterans and visitors with information about the cemetery
- Provide directions around the grounds
- Provide administrative support
Join the support committee
- Plan ceremonies for Memorial Day and Veterans Day
- Donate helpful items such as golf carts used to transport visitors who need assistance in reaching a gravesite
- Recruit volunteers for the cemetery
- Coordinate volunteer activities during special events
- Raise and lower cemetery flags on national holidays
Be a part of history
- Research and document cemetery history
- Serve as guides who educate the public about the nation's history and Veterans' sacrifices
- Help identify and catalogue monuments in VA national cemeteries
- Provide walking tours to students and other visitors
Help maintain and beautify the hallowed grounds
- Prune and sculpt cemetery trees
- Mend cemetery flags and ensure they are in perfect condition for public display
- Sponsor a burial area or flower bed and maintain it all year long
- Resurface and repaint/stain cemetery benches used for reflection and rest
Scouts from the Boy Scouts of America youth organization volunteering to place American flags at headstones at a national cemetery.
Members of a Veterans Service Organization (VSO) volunteering to perform military funeral honors at a national cemetery.
Vaca Valley Garden Club members volunteering to maintain a large flower bed at Sacramento Valley National Cemetery and beautify the grounds.
