Schedule a burial for a Veteran or family member 
Find out how to make burial plans for a Veteran, spouse, or dependent family member. 

How do I schedule a burial for a Veteran or other family member? 


If you have a pre-need decision letter that confirms eligibility 
To start , you may want to choose a funeral director to help you plan the burial. Then either you or the funeral director can call the National Cemetery Scheduling Office at 800 - 535 - 1117 to request a burial. Keep in mind that the pre - need decision letter doesn t identify a specific cemetery or gravesite, since it s not possible to reserve these in advance. In some cases , we may review your eligibility again at your time of death, as laws and circumstances may have changed since your pre - need application. You don t need to do anything else except prepare yourself and your family for the funeral. Find out what to expect at a military funeral or memorial service 

If you don t have a pre-need decision letter 
To start , you may want to choose a funeral director to help you plan the burial. Then either you or the funeral director will need to take these 3 steps to schedule the burial. 

Gather the information and documents you ll need to identify the deceased when you call the National Cemetery Scheduling Office 
You ll need the DD214 or other discharge documents of the Veteran or service member whose military serviced will be used to determine eligibility for burial in a VA national cemetery. Their discharge from service needs to have been under conditions other than dishonorable. We may also need other documents to verify a relationship to a Veteran or the status of a dependent. These may include a death certificate, letters from your doctor, a divorce decree, a statement from the Social Security Administration, or other documents to support your claim. Find out which discharge documents we accept along with your applicationFind out how to request the Veteran s DD214 If you can t find these 

user: if i need to contact a national cemetery directly?

assistant:  you should contact a national cemetery directly in these cases

assistant: do you want to know the requirements?

user: not


user: Can I get information about the Burial at Sea program?

assistant: If you have questions about the Burial at Sea program ,  please contact the United States Navy Mortuary Affairs office toll - free at 866 - 787 - 0081 . We re here Monday through Friday , 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

user: What do I have to do to get the application approved?

assistant: Request gravesite memorials and burial honorsLearn more about military funeral honors

user: If I am the registered spouse, the legally recognized spouse, can I get help paying for burial costs?

assistant:  you may be able to get financial help for burial and funeral costs . Find out how to apply for a Veterans burial allowance

user: ok that's my case

assistant: you may be able to get financial help for burial and funeral costs . Find out how to apply for a Veterans burial allowance

user: I need more information

assistant: If the person was married , you ll also need the surviving spouse s status as Veteran , service member , or family member