What You Need To Request A Veterans Headstone
Whether youre a veteran planning your own funeral or a family member of a deceased veteran, there are a few important things to know when ordering a veterans headstone.
While the Department of Veterans Affairs does provide free headstones, markers and medallions for eligible deceased veterans, there are some criteria that must be met.
- Eligible veterans who died on or after November 1, 1990 may receive a military headstone or marker, regardless of whether their grave is already marked by a private marker.
- Eligible veterans who died before November 1, 1990 and whose grave is unmarked may receive a military headstone or marker.
- Memorial military headstones or markers are available for veterans who remains have not been recovered or identified, were buried at sea, donated to science, or cremated and the remains scattered.
- Medallions are available to eligible veterans if preferred over a headstone or marker.
How does a veterans family prove eligibility?
Answer: By submitting a CLAIM FOR STANDARD GOVERNMENT HEADSTONE OR MARKER to the VA, along with a death certificate and a copy of the veterans DD-214 Form.
But without a DD-214 Form, ordering a Veterans Headstone can turn into a lengthy process . . .
Our three-tiered pricing lets you decide just how quickly you need your records.
What Information Goes On The Headstone Or Marker And Who Provides It
All headstones and markers must include:
- The persons legal name
- The Veterans service branch
- The beginning and ending years of the persons life
- The section and grave number
You can also choose to inscribe:
- The full beginning and ending dates of the persons life
- The highest rank the Veteran attained
- The Veterans awards and war service
We may approve other requests, such as:
- Nicknames
- Terms of endearment
- Special unit identification
The persons next of kin, or an authorized representative must provide this information to cemetery officials at a national cemetery, state Veterans cemetery, military post cemetery, or military base cemetery. These officials will order the headstone or marker for you.
Who Can Be Honored With A Medallion
Review eligibility requirements for:
A Veteran who didnt receive a dishonorable discharge or a service member who died while on active duty may be eligible for a medallion if they meet these requirements specific to when they served.
We provide 2 types of medallions. Veterans and service members may be eligible for a bronze medallion. If theyve received a Medal of Honor, they may also be eligible for a Medal of Honor medallion.
Officers who served before October 16, 1981, and enlisted personnel who served before September 7, 1980
Both of these must be true:
- The Veteran or service member served for at least 1 day of active duty on or after April 6, 1917, and
- The Veteran or service member is buried in a private cemetery marked with a privately purchased headstone or marker
Officers who served after October 16, 1981, and enlisted personnel who served after September 7, 1980
Both of these must be true:
- The Veteran or service member served for a minimum of 24 months of continuous active duty, and
- The Veteran or service member is buried in a private cemetery marked with a privately purchased headstone or marker
Note: Any service member who died while serving on active duty is eligible, regardless of when they served.
A National Guard member or Reservist may be eligible for a medallion if they meet any of these requirements specific to their type of service.
National Guard members
At least one of these must be true:
Reservists
At least one of these must be true:
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Alternatives To Free Government Headstone Options
While the standard government headstone markers are great, especially since theyre free, they are a bit limited in what they allow, both in colors and inscriptions. If you want something that honors you or your loved one as a veteran, but the standard government options are not quite doing it for you, we have options for you as well.
Many times, families will ask us to mimic the font and format of the government headstone and blast it directly into the stone. This allows them the freedom to include any information they want while still referring to the recognizable military look and feel.
A second benefit to blasting the military information directly into the stone is that you wont need to worry about the bronze plaque falling off decades from now.
Headstones Markers And Medallions
Benefit Category: Federal
The Department of Veterans Affairs furnishes upon request, at no charge to the applicant, a Government headstone or marker for the unmarked grave of any deceased eligible Veteran in any cemetery around the world, regardless of their date of death.
For eligible Veterans that died on or after Nov. 1, 1990, VA may also provide a headstone or marker for graves that are already marked with a private headstone or marker. When the grave is already marked, applicants will have the option to submit a claim for either a traditional headstone or marker, or a new medallion .
Flat markers in granite, marble, and bronze and upright headstones in granite and marble are available. The style chosen must be consistent with existing monuments at the place of burial. Niche markers are also available to mark columbaria used for inurnment of cremated remains.
When burial or memorialization is in a national cemetery, state Veterans cemetery, or military post/base cemetery, a headstone or marker will be ordered by the cemetery officials based on inscription information provided by the next of kin or authorized representative.
Note: There is no charge for the headstone or marker itself, however arrangements for placing it in a private cemetery are the applicants responsibility and all setting fees are at private expense.
For assistance contact your Veteran Service Officer, the State Veterans Cemetery or your Funeral Director.
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How Much Does It Cost To Get A Military Grave Marker
A government-furnished military grave marker is provided at no cost to the family of an eligible deceased veteran, regardless of where in the world they are buried. The stone or marker contains pertinent information about the deceased service member, which includes their rank, branch of service, and any awards that they received.
Can I Choose The Type Of Headstone Or Marker
Yes. Youll choose either a headstone or marker and the material youd like it to be made of. Youll make your choice by selecting one of the boxes in block 15 of the Claim for Standard Government Headstone or Marker .
You can request any of these:
- Upright headstones, in granite or marble
- Flat markers, in granite, marble, or bronze
- Niche markers, in bronze
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Does Va Provide A Headstone Or Marker If Remains Arent Available
We provide memorial headstones and markers for:
- Eligible deceased active-duty service members and qualified Veterans when their remains are missing, not identified, donated to science, buried at sea, or scattered, and
- Eligible spouses and other dependents whose remains are not available, whether or not they pass away before the eligible Veteran
Note: For spouses and other dependents, this benefit is for burial only in national, military post, military base, or state Veterans cemeteries, not private cemeteries.
The words engraved on the memorial item must begin, IN MEMORY OF.
What About Ordering Pre
A government headstone or bronze cannot be ordered until that veteran has passed away. Since this is the case, how is it possible for someone to purchase a pre-need monument?
Its easy. We simply go through the process as normal. When the veteran being memorialized does pass away, well write up a new contract, get the bronze ordered, and mount it to their monument out in the cemetery.
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When Will The Headstone Or Marker I Requested Arrive And Who Sets It
For national or state cemeteries, please contact the cemetery directly to find out when the headstone or marker will arrive.
Cemetery staff in national, military post, and military base cemeteries are responsible for setting the headstone or marker at no cost to you. Some state Veterans cemeteries may charge you a small fee for setting a government headstone or marker.
Free Headstones And Markers
The United States Government provides headstones and markers for the graves of veterans and eligible dependents anywhere in the world that are not already marked. Flat bronze, flat granite, flat marble, and upright marble types are available to mark the grave of a veteran or dependent in the style consistent with exiting monuments at the place of burial. Bronze niche markers also are available to mark columbaria in national cemeteries used for inurnment of cremated remains.
When burial is in a private cemetery, VA Form 40-1330, Application for Standard Government Headstone or Marker must be submitted by the next-of-kin or a representative, such as funeral director, cemetery official or Veterans counselor along with the veterans DD Form-214 . Do not send original documents, as they will not be returned.
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Granite Or Marble Marker
This option is a government headstone marker measuring 24 inches long, 12 inches wide, 4 inches thick, and weighs approximately 130 pounds. Again, you are able to choose marble or granite, but wed recommend granite .
This stone is most commonly used as a footstone on a cemetery plot that also has a larger, privately purchased monument at the head of the grave.
Why Should Veterans Get Their Military Headstones
- It would be a tribute to the veteran’s service and recognition of their sacrifice.
- More information about an individual vet can be included on the headstone including rank, military unit, birth date/death date, mini picture, etc.
- The veteran is entitled to have a government headstone because they are federal employees upon retirement. They deserve the same respect that other retired federal employees get in after-life care. This is just another step towards appreciation for all veterans nationwide who sacrificed for our country.
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Matching Stones & Plaques For Spouses
We also have many married couples who desire to have matching stones or large bronze plaques, but only one of them is a veteran and has a government headstone. The government doesnt provide free options for spouses.
Fortunately, we are able to match anything the government does to a tee. We can either order a bronze from a private company that will match the veterans plaque so they can be side by side or we can manufacture a marble or granite stone that perfectly matches the government headstone or marker.
Free United States Burial Flag
The United States Government provides an American flag to drape the casket of a veteran who was discharged under conditions other than dishonorable. After the funeral service, the flag may be given to the next-of-kin or a close associate of the deceased.
You may apply for a flag at any VA regional office or U.S. Post Office by completing VA Form 21-2008, Application for United States Flag for Burial Purposes. The veterans DD Form-214 will be needed to complete the application. Generally, the funeral director will assist the family in obtaining the burial flag.
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Free Burial In A National Cemetery
The United States Government provides free burial in a National Cemetery to all those eligible. This includes the gravesite, opening and closing of the grave, and perpetual care. Many national cemeteries have columbaria niches for the inurnment of cremated remains or special sections for burial of cremated remains.
Checking Status Of A Headstone Marker Or Medallion Request
To obtain the status of headstones or markers ordered for national or state cemeteries, please contact the cemetery directly.
To obtain the status of headstones or markers ordered for private cemeteries, please use the following instructions: If more than 30 days have passed since your claim was submitted to the VA in Washington, D.C. by you, or someone assisting you, please call our Applicant Assistance Unit to verify we are in receipt of your claim.
If more than 60 days have passed since submitting your claim and the grave is still not marked, you should contact the cemetery, funeral home, or other party responsible for accepting delivery of the headstone, marker or medallion to see if they have received it. If they have not received it, you may call our Applicant Assistance Unit between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. , Monday through Friday, at 1-800-697-6947.
You may also click on the “Contact Us” link to check the status of your order.
Please Note: The above telephone number is for questions related to headstones, markers and medallions only ordered for private cemeteries.
For assistance in obtaining Veterans’ records or for information on other VA benefits, please call your local Department of Veterans Affairs Regional Office at 1-800-827-1000 or click on “Contact Us” above.
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Apply For A Headstone Or Marker By Fax
INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUBMITTING YOUR APPLICATION FOR A HEADSTONE OR MARKER USING OUR TOLL FREE FAX NUMBER
NOTE: This toll free fax service is only available for headstones or markers being placed in private cemeteries. All state Veterans, military and post cemeteries must submit their applications by regular mail.
PLEASE â WHEN USING THE TOLL FREE FAX NUMBER â DO NOT SEND A PAPER COPY OF THE APPLICATION THROUGH THE MAILTo ensure your application is processed quickly and the marker is delivered without errors, please follow all of the steps outlined below when using the toll free FAX number
1. Find a copy of the Veteran’s DD-214 and/or other military discharge documents you will be using to support your application.
2. Using the information on the DD-214 and other supporting documents, fill out the application as completely as possible. Be sure to include telephone numbers and signatures. If you arenât sure if you are using the most current version of the application form, select the following link:
IMPORTANT â If this is a second request, or if you are requesting a replacement for an incorrect or damaged marker, you must explain this in block #27 of the application.
4. Verify your fax machine is set at standard resolution, not high resolution. A setting of fine resolution may cause the transmission to terminate due to the type of scanning equipment on our receiving end.
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Fill Online Printable Fillable Blank Va40
Use Fill to complete blank online U.S. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS pdf forms for free. Once completed you can sign your fillable form or send for signing. All forms are printable and downloadable.
Va40-1330 VA Form 40-1330, CLAIM FOR STANDARD GOVERNMENT HEADSTONE OR MARKER
On average this form takes 20 minutes to complete
The Va40-1330 VA Form 40-1330, CLAIM FOR STANDARD GOVERNMENT HEADSTONE OR MARKER form is 4 pages long and contains:
- 0 signatures
Who Can Be Honored With A Headstone Grave Marker Or Niche Marker
Review eligibility requirements for:
A Veteran who didnt receive a dishonorable discharge or a service member who died while on active duty may be eligible for a headstone or marker if they meet these requirements specific to when they served.
Enlisted personnel who served before September 7, 1980, and officers who served before October 16, 1981
At least one of these must be true:
- The Veteran or service member died on or after November 1, 1990, and their grave is currently marked with a privately purchased headstone, or
- The Veteran or service member was buried in an unmarked grave, anywhere in the world
Note: If the Veteran or service member served before World War I, we require detailed documents, like muster rolls, extracts from state files, or the military or state organization where they served.
Enlisted personnel who served after September 7, 1980, and officers who served after October 16, 1981
At least one of these must be true:
- The Veteran or service member died on or after November 1, 1990, and their grave is currently marked with a privately purchased headstone, or
- The Veteran or service member was buried in an unmarked grave, anywhere in the world
And at least one of these must also be true:
- The Veteran or service member served for a minimum of 24 months of continuous active duty, or
- The Veteran or service member died while serving on active duty
National Guard members
At least one of these must be true:
Reservists
At least one of these must be true:
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Who Is Eligible For A Military Headstone
Any veteran who has been honorably discharged or separated from the military is eligible for a government-issued headstone or marker. This also includes veterans who die while on active duty, in training accidents, or because of diseases contracted during active military service. The spouse and minor children of a veteran may also be buried in a national cemetery with a government headstone or marker at no cost to the family.
Veterans who have served in the United States Armed Forces and who do not have a headstone or marker at their gravesite are eligible for a military headstone or marker from the VA. This includes veterans who died on or after November 1, 1990. The VA will provide a free government headstone or marker for the unmarked grave of any deceased veteran eligible for burial at a national cemetery. National Cemeteries administer Government headstones and markers for veterans who are buried in private or State-operated cemeteries that do not provide their monuments.
