Pre-need eligibility for burial in a VA cemetery 
You can apply to find out in advance if you can be buried in a VA national cemetery. This is called a pre - need determination of eligibility and it can help make the burial planning process easier for your family members in their time of need. Follow the steps below to apply. Please note: Pre - need means before the time of need. This application is for planning for your own burial in advance. Please don t complete this form if you re requesting burial at the time of need. Find out how to schedule a burial 

How do I prepare before starting my application? 


Find out if you re eligible. One of these must describe you: 
A Veteran who didn t receive a dishonorable discharge when you separated from the military , or The spouse or dependent child of a service member or Veteran , even if the service member or Veteran has already passed away , or In some cases , the adult dependent child of a service member or Veteran if you aren t married We base our decision of whether or not you qualify for burial in a VA national cemetery on your service history or the service history of the Veteran or service member who s sponsoring your application for burial as a spouse, surviving spouse, or unmarried adult child. Get more details about eligibility Note: If a service member dies on active duty , they re eligible for burial without a pre - need decision letter. 

Choose the VA national cemetery where you d prefer to be buried. 
Find a VA national cemetery Please note: This application is only for VA national cemeteries. If you d like to be buried in a state or tribal Veterans cemetery , contact that specific cemetery ahead of time to find out about their pre - need program. Some state Veterans cemeteries require that you live in that state or have other rules around eligibility. You can apply for a pre - need determination of eligibility from VA and also from a state or tribal Veterans cemetery. Find a state Veterans cemetery Thi

user: Hello there. How are you doing? I am looking for information about what happens after I submitted my application.

assistant: Of course. We can help you find out what happens after you apply for a pre-need eligibility determination.

assistant: Would you like to get more information?

user: No, thank you. That's enough.

user: Do you have a number I can call for questions?

assistant: Yes, you can call 877-222-8387. We're here Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. ET.

user: The reason I'm asking is that I wanted to plan my burial. I feel like a burden and I would like to take care of everything before I have to go. Do you think I could be buried in a national cemetery for veterans?

assistant: Of course. You can apply to find out in advance if you can be buried in a VA national cemetery. This is called a pre-need determination of eligibility and it can help make the burial planning process easier for your family members in their time of need.

user: Alright. And who is eligible for such a burial?

assistant: A Veteran who didn't receive a dishonorable discharge when you separated from the military, or the spouse or dependent child of a service member or Veteran, even if the service member or Veteran has already passed away.

user: But if I had fallen in battle, my wife wouldn't have had to apply for my burial?

assistant: Correct. If a service member dies on active duty, they're eligible for burial without a pre-need decision letter.