Federal Benefits for Veterans and Dependents - CT.gov

60 Burial and Memorial Benefits Chapter 7This chapter contains information on the full range of VA burial andmemorial benefits. Readers with questions should contact the nearestnational cemetery, listed by state in the VA Facilities section ofthis book, call 1-800-827-1000, or visit the Web site at http://www.cem.va.gov/.Burial in VA National CemeteriesBurial in a VA national cemetery is available for eligible veterans,their spouses and dependents at no cost to the family and includesthe gravesite, grave-liner, opening and closing of the grave, a headstoneor marker, and perpetual care as part of a national shrine. Forveterans, benefits also include a burial flag (with case for active duty)and military funeral honors. Family members and other loved onesof deceased veterans may request Presidential Memorial Certificates.VA operates 125 national cemeteries, of which 65 are open fornew casketed interments and 21 are open to accept only crematedremains. Burial options are limited to those available at a specificcemetery but may include in-ground casket, or interment of crematedremains in a columbarium, in ground or in a scatter garden. Contactthe nearest national cemetery to determine if it is open for new burialsand which options are available.New national cemeteries in Birmingham, Ala., and Sarasota, Fla.,are scheduled to open in 2009.The funeral director or the next of kin makes interment arrangementsby contacting the national cemetery in which burial is desired. VAnormally does not conduct burials on weekends. Gravesites cannotbe reserved; however, VA will honor reservations made under previousprograms.Surviving spouses of veterans who died on or after Jan. 1, 2000,do not lose eligibility for burial in a national cemetery if they remarry.Burial of dependent children is limited to unmarried children under 21years of age, or under 23 years of age if a full-time student at an approvededucational institution. Unmarried adult children who becomephysically or mentally disabled and incapable of self-support beforeage 21, or age 23 if a full-time student, also are eligible for burial.Headstones and Markers: Veterans, active duty service members,