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. To obtain the status of headstones or markers ordered for national or state cemeteries, please contact the cemetery directly. The findings are found in Best Practice Recommendations for Cleaning Government-Issued Headstones.* Checking Status of a Headstone, Marker or Medallion Request The National Park Service's National Center for Preservation Technology and Training completed a study in 2011 to evaluate general cleaning needs of marble government-issued headstones. Cleaning and Caring for Government Headstones and Markers Some state Veterans' cemeteries may charge the applicant a nominal fee for setting a Government-furnished headstone or marker.Īrrangements for setting a Government-furnished headstone or marker in a private cemetery are the applicant's responsibility and all placement costs are at private expense. Setting Government Headstones and MarkersĬemetery staff in national, military post, and military base cemeteries are responsible for setting the headstone or marker at no cost to the applicant. Note: There is no charge for the headstone or marker itself, however arrangements for placing it in a private cemetery are the applicant's responsibility and all setting fees are at private expense. Spouses and dependents are not eligible for a Government-furnished headstone or marker unless they are buried in a national cemetery, state Veteran's cemetery, or military post/base cemetery. 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.
The style chosen must be permitted by the officials in charge of the private cemetery where it will be placed. Bronze niche markers are also available to mark columbaria used for inurnment of cremated remains. 6, 1917 and whose grave is marked with a privately purchased headstone or marker.įlat markers in granite, marble, and bronze and upright headstones in granite and marble are available. A Government-furnished medallion may be provided for eligible Veterans who served on or after Apr. 1, 1990 and whose grave is marked with a privately purchased headstone. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) 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.Ī Government-furnished headstone or marker may be provided for eligible Veterans who died on or after Nov. Veteran Headstones, Markers and Medallions Brochure.Headstone and Marker Inscription Abbreviations.