Free tool

VA Burial Eligibility Checker

Answer two to four questions to see whether a veteran, service member, spouse or child is likely to qualify for burial in a VA national cemetery, and what to do next.

Who is the burial for?

If eligible, the VA provides

A gravesite or columbarium niche in an open national cemetery
Opening and closing of the grave
A grave liner
A government headstone or marker
Perpetual care of the grave
A burial flag and, for veterans, a Presidential Memorial Certificate

Next steps

Find the veteran's DD Form 214 or other discharge papers.
Apply for a pre-need eligibility determination with VA Form 40-10007, so the answer is on file before it is needed.
At the time of need, the funeral home or family contacts the VA National Cemetery Scheduling Office.

Find a national cemetery or browse state veterans cemeteries, which set their own rules (often including state residency).

How this checker works

The questions follow the eligibility rules summarized in our guide Who Qualifies for Burial in a National Cemetery?. The result is one of three outcomes: likely eligible, possibly eligible (the VA needs to review the records), or probably not eligible. It never gives a final answer, because only the VA can decide, and nothing you click is stored.

The rules in short

Veterans discharged under conditions other than dishonorable are generally eligible. Many who started service after September 7, 1980 (enlisted) or October 16, 1981 (officers) must also meet a minimum service period.
Service members who die on active duty are eligible.
Reserve and National Guard members qualify in some situations, such as entitlement to retired pay or death during training duty.
Spouses and dependent children qualify through an eligible veteran.

Free headstones in any cemetery

Burial in a national cemetery is not the only benefit. The VA also furnishes a government headstone or marker for an eligible veteran buried in a private cemetery, or a medallion to attach to a privately bought stone. See How to Get a Veterans Headstone or Marker, and use the burial cost calculator to see how the benefit changes the total cost.

Find a cemetery

Browse national cemeteries and veterans cemeteries by state. The differences between national, state and post cemeteries are explained in What Is a Veterans Cemetery?

Updated November 7, 2026 · Built and reviewed by the Cemetery Directory USA editors.This tool runs in your browser; nothing you enter is sent to us or stored.

Frequently asked questions

Does a spouse have to be buried with the veteran?

No. The spouse or surviving spouse of an eligible veteran is generally eligible even if the veteran is buried somewhere else. When both are buried in a national cemetery they usually share one gravesite, with the second name added to the headstone.

Can a spouse be buried first?

Yes. A spouse who dies before the veteran can be buried in a national cemetery first, based on the veteran's eligibility.

What is a pre-need eligibility determination?

It is a decision the VA makes in advance, on request, about whether a person qualifies for burial in a VA national cemetery. It does not reserve a specific gravesite, but it saves time for the family later. The application is VA Form 40-10007.

Are state veterans cemeteries the same as national cemeteries?

No. State veterans cemeteries are run by states, often with VA grant funding. Their eligibility rules are similar but many also require state residency, and some charge a fee for spouses or dependents.