Veteran Burial Plot Selection: A Complete Guide to Options and Timelines

For those who have worn the uniform, the transition to civilian life often includes a final chapter marked by honor and tradition. However, navigating the logistics of veteran burial plot selection can be overwhelming for families during a time of grief. Understanding your options—from a national VA cemetery plot to a dedicated military cemetery section in a private graveyard—is essential for ensuring your final wishes are respected without placing a financial or administrative burden on your loved ones.

In 2025, the landscape of veteran benefits is more accessible than ever, but it requires proactive planning. Whether you are a veteran looking to secure your legacy or a family member trying to understand the timeline of a committal service, this guide provides the clarity you need to make informed decisions.

Understanding Your Burial Options

When it comes to selecting a final resting place, veterans generally have three primary paths. Each offers different levels of cost, location accessibility, and military honors.

1. VA National Cemeteries

The National Cemetery Administration (NCA) currently manages over 155 national cemeteries. Choosing a VA cemetery plot in one of these locations ensures that the veteran receives perpetual care at no cost to the family. This includes the gravesite, the opening and closing of the grave, a government-provided headstone or marker, and a burial liner or vault.

2. State Veterans Cemeteries

If a national cemetery is not located within a reasonable distance, state-run veterans cemeteries are an excellent alternative. Many states have established these sites to meet the NCA’s 95% accessibility goal. While they follow similar guidelines to national cemeteries, they may have specific residency requirements. To learn more about how these differ from national options, see our State Veterans Cemetery Guide.

3. Private Cemeteries with a Military Cemetery Section

Many private cemeteries offer a dedicated military cemetery section. While the VA will still provide a headstone or a bronze medallion for a private headstone, the family is responsible for the cost of the plot and all associated funeral home fees.

The Timeline of Veteran Burial Plot Selection

One of the most common misconceptions about veteran burials is that you can "pick out" a specific plot years in advance. In reality, the process follows a strict timeline dictated by federal regulations and cemetery availability.

Phase 1: Pre-Need Determination (The "Planning" Phase)

You should not wait until a death occurs to verify eligibility. By applying for VA Form 40-10007 (Application for Pre-Need Determination of Eligibility for Burial), the VA reviews your service records (DD214) while you are still living.

• Real-World Example: Consider the case of Robert, a Vietnam veteran. By securing his Pre-Need Decision Letter in 2024, his daughter was able to bypass the stress of searching for his discharge papers when he passed away in early 2025. The cemetery staff already had his eligibility on file, allowing the funeral to proceed without delay.

Phase 2: At-Need Scheduling

When a veteran passes away, the family or funeral director must contact the National Cemetery Scheduling Office. At this point, the VA assigns the next available plot in the chosen cemetery.

Phase 3: The Committal Service

Unlike a traditional funeral service at a graveside, national cemeteries typically hold "committal services" in a designated chapel or shelter. This ceremony lasts approximately 20 minutes and includes military honors. After the service, the casket or urn is moved by cemetery staff to the assigned plot for interment.

Recent Updates (2025–2026)

The Department of Veterans Affairs has introduced several significant updates to burial benefits over the last year, aiming to modernize the experience and increase accessibility.

The Dole Act Expansion

Under the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act, the VA has expanded the burial allowance. As of 2025, veterans who pass away while receiving VA-provided home hospice care are now eligible for the same full burial allowance as those who pass away in a VA facility. This change recognizes the growing preference for veterans to spend their final days at home with family.

New National Cemeteries

To ensure that 95% of veterans have a burial option within 75 miles of their home, the NCA has recently opened or expanded facilities in Utah and Nevada. These new sites feature modern "green" burial options and expanded columbaria for cremated remains.

The Veterans Legacy Memorial (VLM)

The VLM has undergone a massive digital transformation. Every veteran interred in a VA-managed cemetery now has a digital profile. Families can upload photos, share memories, and even post historical documents, creating a living history that transcends the physical headstone.

Required Documentation: The "3-Document Folder"

To ensure a smooth veteran burial plot selection process, experts recommend keeping a physical and digital folder containing three specific documents. Missing even one of these can delay a burial by several days.

Financial Considerations and Savings

As a Final Expense Financial Planner, I often remind clients that a VA burial is one of the most significant "hidden" benefits of military service. A traditional private burial can easily exceed $10,000 when you factor in the land, the vault, and the monument.

By choosing a national cemetery, you are essentially receiving a $7,000 to $10,000 "death benefit" in the form of services and property. However, it is important to remember what the VA does not cover:

• Funeral home professional fees.
• Embalming or cremation services.
• Transportation of the body to the cemetery (in most cases).
• Caskets or urns.

For a deeper dive into the specific costs involved with different types of discharges, see our article on Honorably Discharged Benefits.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

In my years of helping veterans plan their final expenses, I have seen families make the same avoidable errors time and again.

1. Assuming "Honorable" is the Only Qualification

Many veterans believe they are ineligible because they received a "General Under Honorable Conditions" discharge. In reality, most discharges that are "Other Than Dishonorable" qualify for burial benefits. Always check with the VA rather than assuming you are excluded.

2. Forgetting that Honors are Separate

Military Funeral Honors—including the flag-folding, presentation, and the playing of Taps—are not automatically scheduled by the cemetery. Your funeral director must specifically request these from the Department of Defense. If you are interested in the details of the ceremony, such as the 21 Gun Salute, ensure this is communicated early.

3. Ignoring the Cremation Trend

Over 63% of veterans now choose cremation. Some families mistakenly believe that choosing cremation means they cannot be buried in a national cemetery or receive honors. This is false. National cemeteries offer beautiful columbaria and in-ground small-plot options for cremated remains with the same perpetual care. For more information, check the Veteran Cremation Benefits guide.

4. Waiting to Locate the DD214

The most common cause of burial delay is the inability to find discharge papers. If the family cannot produce a DD214, the VA must attempt to verify records internally, which can take days, often forcing the family to postpone the memorial service.

Conclusion: Peace of Mind for the Final Act of Service

Veteran burial plot selection is more than just a logistical task; it is an act of love for your family. By making these decisions now—applying for pre-need eligibility, organizing your DD214, and discussing your preferences for national versus private burial—you remove the guesswork from an already difficult time.

The benefits earned through military service are designed to provide a dignified farewell. Whether you choose the rolling hills of a national cemetery or a quiet military section in a local graveyard, the honors you receive are a testament to your contribution to the nation.