Thank You For Your Service!
As a veteran, you have secured the right and honor to be laid to rest in a National Cemetery! National Cemeteries are considered among the most important of our national shrines. As such, their dignity, beauty and serenity are of paramount importance in honoring the memory of your national service.
National Cemetery Hours?
National Cemeteries are open from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, and on Memorial Day and Veterans Day. Many of the cemeteries gates are open at all times.
Entitled to burial in the national cemetery?
Broadly, eligibility for burial is extended to active duty personnel, veterans, their spouses and dependent children. Veterans must have received an “Other Than Dishonorable Discharge” from active duty service in the armed forces of the United States. General discharges given under honorable conditions and other discharges upgraded to this level by competent authority also qualify. In the case of deaths that occur during active duty periods, the character of such service must be honorable. Except as noted below; those veterans whose date of entry occurred after September 7, 1980 must have completed 24 consecutive months of active duty. Eligibility is granted in cases of less than 24 months service only where discharge is as the result of a service connected disability, hardship or other special circumstances.
Eligibility is granted in cases of less than 24 months service only where discharge is as the result of a service connected disability, hardship or other special circumstances.
Retired Reservists and National Guard members and their spouses and dependent children are also eligible for burial. Members of Reserve and National Guard units who were called to active duty for national emergencies are eligible if they honorably completed that particular period for which they were activated. Reservists, National Guard or ROTC personnel who were never called to active duty or who were called to active duty for training purposes only are not eligible for interment in National Cemeteries unless death occurred during or as a result of a condition incurred during training. National Guard who have retired with 20 years of service are also eligible.
Other Personnel
Eligibility is granted to members of the US Merchant Marine and civil service members of the Army and Naval Transportation Services who served on ocean-going duty between December 7, 1941 and August 15, 1945. Merchant Mariners from this period are encouraged to secure an updated discharge from the US Coast Guard through their nearest VA Regional Office.
Spouses and Dependent Children
Wives or husbands of those referred to above are also approved for burial in National Cemeteries. Divorced spouses lose their entitlement to interment.
Dependent children retain their eligibility for burial until they reach the age of 21. If they are attending an approved institution of education, this age limit is extended to 23 years. Adult children may only be buried if they are unmarried and are incapable of self-support due to a physical or mental disability incurred before their 21st birthday.
Arranging for Burial in a National Cemetery
Pearson’s Funeral Homes will act on behalf of your family in arranging for burials in National Cemeteries. Where a cremation has occurred and the remains are already in possession of the family, they may find it more convenient to apply for placement through our funeral home. In any case, three major areas will be cared for in these arrangements: verification of eligibility, scheduling of the committal service or delivery and the submission of correct information for the grave marker. No pre-arrangements or reservations are available in national cemeteries. Set aside gravesites are available to married veterans.
What is the Cost?
There is no charge for any gravesite, interment activity or grave marker. Use of the cemetery’s shelter for committal services is also without cost. In light of these benefits; our government will pay no additional burial benefit to survivors of those interred in national cemeteries. Also, the funeral home will charge you for professional services, caskets, Urns and transportation costs. The government will not pick up any of these costs.