What state veterans cemeteries provide
State veterans cemeteries are burial grounds run by individual states specifically for military veterans and their families. They are separate from the national cemetery system managed by the Department of Veterans Affairs, though they follow similar rules about who can be buried there and what services are included. Each state operates its own cemetery or cemeteries, and the details—location, what's covered, and how to arrange a burial—differ by state.
Most state veterans cemeteries offer a grave site at no cost to the veteran or their family, a concrete grave liner, opening and closing of the grave, and a government-issued headstone or marker. Some also provide a flag for the grave and a committal service performed by cemetery staff. What is not typically included varies: some states cover the cost of a casket or urn, while others do not. Transportation of the body to the cemetery is usually the family's responsibility.
The main reason to choose a state veterans cemetery over a private one is cost. A private cemetery grave can run from several hundred to several thousand dollars, depending on location and the cemetery's policies. A state veterans cemetery charges nothing for the grave itself, though you may pay for optional services like a private ceremony or a more elaborate marker.
Key Takeaways
- State veterans cemeteries are run by individual states and are free to may be able to access veterans and some family members, unlike private cemeteries that charge burial fees.
- Each state operates its own cemetery system, so the location, available services, and rules about who can be buried there vary by where you live or where the veteran lived.
- Most state veterans cemeteries provide the grave site, liner, headstone, and basic committal service at no cost, but you typically pay for transporting the body to the cemetery.
- To arrange a burial, you contact the specific state cemetery directly or through a funeral home, and you will need the veteran's discharge papers or other military service documentation.
- If a state does not have a veterans cemetery or it is full, the Department of Veterans Affairs runs a national cemetery system that serves the same purpose.
Who can be buried in a state veterans cemetery
The veteran themselves is always may be able to access. This means someone who served on active duty in the U.S. military and received an honorable or general discharge. A dishonorable discharge or discharge for bad conduct usually disqualifies the person, though some states make exceptions for specific circumstances.
The veteran's spouse is typically may be able to access, even if the spouse never served in the military. An unmarried adult child of the veteran may be buried there in some states but not others. Dependent children of the veteran are usually may be able to access. The rules about who counts as a dependent or spouse vary by state—some recognize same-sex spouses, some do not; some allow ex-spouses under certain conditions, some do not. You need to check with the specific state cemetery to know whether a particular family member is may be able to access.
A few states also allow parents of the veteran to be buried in the cemetery, but this is less common. The veteran does not have to have lived in the state where the cemetery is located; you can often use any state's cemetery if you have a connection to that state or if the cemetery has space.
How to arrange a burial at a state veterans cemetery
Contact the state veterans cemetery directly. Most states list their cemeteries on the state's Department of Veterans Affairs website or the state's general government website. You can also ask a funeral home to contact the cemetery on your behalf; many funeral homes work with state cemeteries regularly and know the process.
You will need to provide the veteran's military discharge papers (called a DD Form 214 or similar document, depending on when the person served). If you do not have the original, you can request a copy from the National Archives or through your state's veterans office. You will also need a death certificate and proof that the person requesting the burial has the authority to do so—usually a will, a court order, or a statement from the next of kin.
Once the cemetery confirms the veteran is may be able to access and a grave site is available, you arrange the logistics with a funeral home. The funeral home handles transporting the body, preparing it for burial, and coordinating with the cemetery on the date and time. The cemetery staff will perform the committal service (a brief ceremony at graveside) if you want one, usually at no extra cost.
The timeline from death to burial typically takes one to two weeks, depending on how quickly you can gather the required documents and coordinate with the funeral home and cemetery. If the cemetery is at capacity, there may be a waiting list, though this is rare in most states.
Differences between state and national veterans cemeteries
The Department of Veterans Affairs operates a network of national cemeteries across the country. Both state and national cemeteries serve veterans and their families at no cost for the grave site and basic services. The main practical difference is location: a national cemetery may be closer to you than a state cemetery, or vice versa.
National cemeteries tend to have more standardized rules across all locations, while state cemeteries can set their own policies within broad guidelines. For example, a national cemetery will always accept any veteran with an honorable discharge, but a state cemetery might have additional requirements or restrictions based on state law. National cemeteries are also more likely to have space available, since they are larger and more numerous, though some state cemeteries are quite large as well.
If a state does not have a veterans cemetery, or if the state cemetery is full or does not meet your needs, you can use a national cemetery instead. You do not have to choose between them based on which is "better"—both are legitimate options, and the choice usually comes down to location, available services, and whether space is available when you need it.
What documents you need to bring or provide
The veteran's military discharge papers are the most important document. This is usually a DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) or an equivalent form if the person served before 1950. If the original is lost, you can request a copy by mail or online from the National Archives at archives.gov, or through your state's veterans office, which often processes requests faster.
You will also need a death certificate, issued by the county or state where the death occurred. The funeral home typically obtains this, but you may need to provide a copy to the cemetery.
If you are arranging the burial as someone other than the veteran's spouse or adult child, you may need to show legal authority—a will naming you as executor, a court order, or a notarized statement from the next of kin giving you permission. The cemetery will tell you what they need when you call.
Some cemeteries also ask for proof of the veteran's residence in the state, though this is not always required. If the veteran lived in the state at any point or has family there, that is usually sufficient.
Costs and what is covered
The grave site itself is free. The concrete grave liner (a box that goes around the casket to prevent the ground from settling) is free. The government-issued headstone or marker is free. Opening and closing the grave is free. A committal service performed by cemetery staff is free.
You pay for transportation of the body from the place of death to the cemetery. This is usually handled by a funeral home and can range from a few hundred dollars to over a thousand, depending on distance and the funeral home's rates. You also pay for embalming and preparation of the body if you choose those services, and for a casket or urn if you do not already have one.
Some state cemeteries offer optional services at an additional cost: a private ceremony with a chaplain, a more elaborate marker or monument, or a flag holder. These are not required and vary by cemetery. A few states cover some of these costs for certain veterans (such as those who died in service or from a service-connected disability), but most do not.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I be buried in a state veterans cemetery if I live in a different state?
Usually yes, but it depends on the state. Some state cemeteries restrict burials to residents of that state or people with family ties there. Others accept any veteran regardless of residence. Contact the specific cemetery to ask whether you are may be able to access to use it.
What if the state veterans cemetery is full?
Most state veterans cemeteries have space available, but some do maintain waiting lists. If the cemetery you want is full, you can use a national cemetery instead, which is also free and serves the same purpose. The cemetery staff can tell you about alternatives in your area.
Do I need a funeral home to arrange a burial at a state veterans cemetery?
You do not legally need one, but most families use a funeral home because they handle the logistics, paperwork, and transportation. If you want to arrange it yourself, contact the cemetery directly to ask what you need to do and what documents to provide.
How do I get a copy of the veteran's discharge papers if I do not have the original?
Request a copy from the National Archives at archives.gov or by mail at the address on their website. Your state's veterans office can also request it for you, often faster. You will need the veteran's name, service dates, and branch of service. The process usually takes two to four weeks.
Can my spouse be buried in a state veterans cemetery even though they did not serve in the military?
Yes, in most states. The veteran's spouse is typically may be able to access for burial in a state veterans cemetery regardless of military service. Check with the specific cemetery about their rules, especially if you are in a same-sex marriage or have questions about ex-spouses.