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, I came here to find out what happens after I sent my application to you.

assistant: Then you came to the right place. Here you can find out what happens after you apply for a pre-need eligibility determination.

assistant: Would you like more details about this?

user: Yes, please.

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

user: I see. What do I need to do if I want to apply by mail?

assistant: You need to fill out an application for pre-need determination of eligibility for burial in a VA national cemetery VA Form 40-10007.

user: And what if I want to be buried in a state cemetery?

assistant: In that case you need to 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.

user: That's great to know. And how do you decide if you accept me or not?

assistant: 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.

user: My physical state doesn't let me sign a form, can someone else sign it for me?

assistant: Yes, if you are mentally unable to make decisions for yourself, sometimes this is called mentally incompetent, or physically unable to sign the form, a spouse, parent, or court-appointed representative may sign the form.

user: Alright. But I will get my spot at the graveyard, as soon as I qualify, right?

assistant: Getting a pre-need determination of eligibility doesn't guarantee you'll be buried in a specific VA national cemetery. We don't take reservations at any VA national cemetery.