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|                                | #  Office of    | ##  Wash         |
|                                |  Public Affairs | ington, DC 20420 |
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|                                | Media Relations | 273-5700**       |
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|                                |                 | **www.va.gov**   |
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| **Department of**              | #               |                  |
|                                | ## News Release |                  |
| **Veterans Affairs**           |                 |                  |
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February 2001

VA's Headstones and Markers

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) furnishes upon request, at no
charge to the applicant, a headstone or marker for the unmarked grave of
an eligible veteran in any cemetery around the world. By law, government
markers may not be used as footstones or to double-mark a veteran's
grave. VA relies on the integrity of the applicant to request a
government-furnished headstone or marker only if the grave is not, and
will not be, marked with a private headstone or marker.

Headstones and markers are provided for eligible spouses and dependents
of veterans only in national, military post or state veterans
cemeteries. Spouses and dependents buried in private cemeteries are not
eligible for a government headstone or marker.

Flat bronze, flat granite or flat marble markers and upright granite and
marble headstones are available. The style chosen must be consistent
with the cemetery's rules. VA national cemeteries order the style used
in their cemeteries. Most VA national cemeteries use upright granite or
marble headstones, which measure 42 inches in height and 13 inches in
width. Niche markers are also available to mark columbaria used for
inurnment of cremated remains.

##### Eligibility

Any deceased veteran discharged from the U.S. armed forces under
conditions other than dishonorable is eligible to receive a government
headstone or marker. For enlisted persons whose service began after
Sept. 7, 1980, and for officers whose service began after Oct. 17, 1981,
service must have been for at least 24 months, or the period for which
the person was called to active duty.

Members of the reserves and National Guard who die on active duty or
while performing training duty may receive a headstone or marker.
Reservists and National Guardsmen with 20 years service who are entitled
to retired pay are also eligible. A copy of the Reserve Retirement
Eligibility Benefits Letter must accompany the application. People who
had only active duty for training while in the National Guard or
reserves are not eligible unless there are special circumstances, such
as death while on duty or as a result of training.

The same eligibility criteria apply for burial in VA's national
cemeteries.

Headstones & Markers - 2

##### How To Order a Government Headstone or Marker

When burial or memorialization is in a national, military post, or state
veterans cemetery, cemetery staff will order a headstone or marker,
using inscription information provided by the next of kin.

When burial is in a private cemetery, *VA Form 40-1330,* *Application
for Standard Government Headstone or Marker for Installation in a
Private or State Veterans' Cemetery*, must be submitted, along with a
copy of the veteran's military discharge documents. Do not send original
documents because they will not be returned.

Usually, funeral directors will obtain headstones or markers as part of
their services. Applications and additional information may be obtained
at any VA national cemetery or regional office or by calling
1-800-827-1000. This form, VA *Form 40-1330*, is also available on VA's
web site at www.va.gov; however, it cannot be filled out and submitted
electronically. All completed applications should be mailed to:

> Memorial Programs Service (403)
>
> Department of Veterans Affairs
>
> 810 Vermont Avenue, NW
>
> Washington, DC 20420-0001

####### Inscriptions

Government-furnished headstones and markers must be inscribed with the
name of the deceased, branch of service, and years of birth and death,
in this order.

Headstones and markers also may be inscribed with other items, including
an authorized "emblem of belief" such as a cross or Star of David and,
space permitting, additional text that includes grade, rate or rank, war
service, complete dates of birth and death, military awards, military
organizations and civilian or veteran affiliations. Terms of endearment
that meet acceptable standards of good taste may also be added. Most
optional inscription items are placed as the last two lines of the
inscription, including such titles as Doctor or Reverend, which are not
permited on the name line. Non-English optional inscription items must
be in English characters.

No graphics (logos, symbols, etc.) are permitted on government
headstones and markers other than approved emblems of belief, the Civil
War Union Shield, the Civil War Confederate Southern Cross of Honor and
the Medal of Honor insignia. Inscriptions will be in English characters
only.

Documentation must be provided with *VA Form 40-1330* when requesting
military awards in the inscription. In most cases this information is
provided on the veteran's military discharge documents.

Headstones & Markers - 3

A veteran's spouse or other non-veteran dependent is not eligible to
receive a government headstone or marker for placement in a private
cemetery. However, the applicant may request to reserve inscription
space below the veteran's inscription so that the non-veteran
dependent\'s commemorative data can be inscribed locally, at private
expense, when the

non-veteran dependent is buried. Alternatively, the non-veteran
dependent\'s name and date of birth can be added at government expense
as an optional inscription, when the headstone or marker is ordered.
When the non-veteran dependent is buried, the date of death may then be
added at private expense.

Inscriptions for a veteran's spouse or eligible non-veteran dependent
are provided at no expense when burial is in a national, military post
or state veterans cemetery.

###### Checking Your Headstone or Marker Order Status

VA provides a toll-free number for applicants to check the status of an
order for a government headstone or marker -- 1-800-697-6947. Applicant
assistance agents are available Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to
5:00 p.m. EST. Due to the volume of calls, the best time to call is
mid-week. VA processes approximately 300,000 headstone and marker
applications each year. The Applicant Assistance Line operators cannot
provide information on any other VA benefits. Please, only call to check
the status of a headstone or marker order if the application was
submitted more than 30 days previously. To inquire about other VA
benefits, call 1-800-827-1000.

###### Shipping Government Headstones and Markers

Government-furnished headstones and markers are shipped free of charge,
generally between 60 and 120 days after VA receives the application.

####### Setting Government Headstones and Markers

Cemetery staff in national or military cemeteries will set the headstone
or marker at no cost to the applicant. Some state veterans' cemeteries
may charge the applicant a nominal fee for setting a government
headstone or marker. Arrangements for setting a government headstone or
marker in a private cemetery, including all placement costs, are the
applicant's responsibility.

###### Replacement of Headstones and Markers

Previously furnished headstones and markers may be replaced at
government expense when badly deteriorated, illegible, vandalized or
stolen. The government will also replace a headstone or marker if it is
different from that specified by the applicant or permitted by the
cemetery, the inscription is incorrect, or the material or workmanship
does not meet the government's standards.

####### Headstones & Markers -- 4

####### 

####### The government will not assume the cost to replace headstones or markers in private cemeteries that cemetery personnel damage. The replacement cost will vary by monument style and delivery location. For replacement costs, contact Memorial Programs Service at 1-800-697-6947.

Marble or granite headstones or markers, permanently removed from a
grave, must be destroyed until illegible and bronze markers must be
returned to the manufacturer for recycling. (Please contact Memorial
Programs Service at 1-800-697-6947 for guidance on returning bronze
markers.)

####### Memorial Headstones and Markers

Memorial headstones and markers are provided for eligible veterans whose
remains are not recovered or identified, are buried at sea, donated to
science or scattered after cremation. These headstones and markers --
which can be for an individual or a group -- bear an *"In Memory of"*
inscription as their first line and must be placed in a recognized
cemetery.

#### Civil War-Era Headstones And Markers

There are specific styles of upright headstones and flat markers to mark
the graves of Union and Confederate Civil War and Spanish-American War
dead.

Civil War-era headstones and markers may be replaced at government
expense when badly deteriorated, illegible, vandalized or stolen. Proof
of military service prior to World War I requires detailed
documentation, such as muster rolls, extracts from state files, pension
documents or land warrants, to apply for a government headstone or
marker.

Memorial markers are not provided to memorialize Civil War soldiers
whose graves are not identified. If, however, documentation proves a
soldier was buried in a mass grave, VA will provide a memorial marker
for placement in national, state veterans or private cemeteries.

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