VA Headstones, Markers, and Medallions: Honoring Veteran Service

If burial is in a private cemetery, first decide whether the grave needs a government headstone or marker, or already has a privately purchased memorial that could receive a medallion. Those choices use different forms. The memorial item is free when approved, but private-cemetery setting and installation charges are not automatically covered.

Check who orders the memorial

For a national, state Veterans, or military cemetery, ask the cemetery staff to arrange the government headstone or marker using the family's inscription details. For a private cemetery, the authorized applicant submits the request and coordinates the style, delivery, and installation with that cemetery.

Who Qualifies?

The following headstone and marker rules apply to qualifying service and discharge records. A medallion for an existing private memorial has its own requirements, described below.

• For Veterans and Active-Duty Service Members:
  • The Veteran did not receive a dishonorable discharge, or the service member died while on active duty.
  • At least one of these must be true:
    • The Veteran or service member died on or after November 1, 1990, and their grave is currently marked with a privately purchased headstone, OR
    • The Veteran or service member was buried in an unmarked grave, anywhere in the world.
  • For Veterans who served as enlisted personnel after September 7, 1980, or as officers after October 16, 1981, at least one of these must also be true:
    • The Veteran served the required minimum active-duty period, usually 24 continuous months or the full period they were called to serve, OR
    • The Veteran died while serving on active duty.
  • Hmong individuals naturalized under the Hmong Veterans Naturalization Act of 2000 and who died on or after March 23, 2018, are also eligible if they were living in the U.S. when they died.
• For National Guard Members and Reservists:
  • National Guard members may be eligible if they were entitled to retirement pay at their time of death (or would have been entitled if over 60), or served in a federal status for the period they were called to serve.
  • Reservists may be eligible if they were entitled to retirement pay at their time of death (or would have been entitled if over 60), or were called to active duty for purposes other than training.
  • Note: Those with only limited active-duty service for training are generally not eligible, unless they died during or as a result of the training.
• For Spouses and Dependent Children:
  • A spouse or dependent child buried in a national cemetery, state or tribal Veterans cemetery, military post cemetery, or military base cemetery may be eligible for a headstone or marker.
  • Spouses and dependent children buried in a private cemetery are generally not eligible for a headstone or marker, but may be eligible for an inscription on the Veteran’s headstone or marker.
• For Memorial Headstones or Markers:
  • A memorial headstone or marker may be requested if the deceased's remains haven't been recovered or identified, were buried at sea, donated to science, or cremated and scattered.

If the service period was shorter, ask the memorial-products team to check a qualifying exception, such as service-connected disability, before ruling the Veteran out. For service before World War I, detailed records such as muster rolls may be needed.

When a medallion fits an existing private memorial

A medallion attaches to a permanent, privately purchased headstone or marker in a private cemetery. Eligibility includes a character of discharge under honorable conditions or higher and the applicable service requirements. The November 1, 1990 death-date rule for an additional government headstone is not the medallion test.

Use Form 40-1330M and have a cemetery representative review and sign it. The cemetery must approve the medallion size. Choose the medallion instead of assuming you can add both a government marker and a medallion for the same Veteran; ask about the existing memorial before ordering.

What You Can Get

The Headstones, Markers, and Medallions program provides a range of options to create a lasting memorial for eligible individuals, at no cost. The available memorial items include:

• Types of Headstones and Markers:
  • Upright headstones
  • Flat markers (available in granite, marble, or bronze)
  • Bronze medallions (designed for placement on a privately purchased headstone or marker)
• Cemetery Locations:
  • These items are available for Veterans buried in private cemeteries.
  • They are also available for those buried in state Veterans cemeteries that meet VA requirements.

Receiving the VA commemorative urn or plaque benefit ends the Veteran's eligibility for later VA national-cemetery burial and a government headstone, marker, or medallion. A privately purchased cremation urn is different. Confirm the family's plans before choosing the VA benefit.

Apply for a private-cemetery memorial

1. Confirm the cemetery's requirements. Ask which material and style it allows, who receives the shipment, and what installation will cost. Obtain the required cemetery certification or signature.
2. Choose the form. Use VA Form 40-1330 for a headstone or marker, or VA Form 40-1330M for a medallion.
3. Attach service evidence and check the inscription. Send copies of the DD214 or other accepted records and any other evidence the form requires. Verify legal name, service branch, dates, optional inscriptions, and delivery details with the family.
4. Submit the packet. Upload through QuickSubmit, mail it to NCA FP Evidence Intake Center, PO Box 5237, Janesville, WI 53547, or fax it to 800-455-7143. Keep copies and proof of submission.

If the Veteran's records are missing, ask for help obtaining them rather than assuming the memorial cannot be requested. For a medallion, the team can try to obtain supporting service records after you apply.

If it is delayed, damaged, or declined

Call the memorial-products assistance team at 800-697-6947 (TTY: 711), Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET. Have the Veteran's details, form type, submission date, and delivery recipient ready. Ask whether the missing step is service evidence, a cemetery signature, shipment, or eligibility.

For a replacement headstone or marker due to an inscription error or damage, explain the replacement reason in the current Form 40-1330 Remarks field. Call 800-697-6947 before sending an unexplained duplicate. For a denial, ask for the written reason and review instructions so you can address the exact eligibility or memorial-choice issue.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can spouses or dependent children receive a government headstone or marker?

Yes, in certain situations. A spouse or dependent child buried in a national cemetery, state or tribal Veterans cemetery, military post cemetery, or military base cemetery may be eligible for a headstone or marker. However, if they are buried in a private cemetery, they are generally only eligible for an inscription on the Veteran's headstone or marker, not a separate government-furnished one.

What if the Veteran's remains are not available or identified?

A memorial headstone or marker may be requested if the deceased's remains haven't been recovered or identified, were buried at sea, donated to science, or cremated and scattered. This ensures that their service is still honored with a permanent memorial.

Can I choose the type of headstone or marker?

You can choose eligible materials and styles subject to the cemetery's rules. Upright stones can be granite or marble, flat markers can be granite, marble, or bronze, and niche markers can be bronze. Ask the private cemetery to approve the style before submitting.

What information is included on the headstone or marker?

The legal name, service branch, and beginning and ending years of life are required. Optional choices can include full dates, highest rank, eligible awards, war service, and an approved emblem of belief. Check spelling and supporting details before submitting; a nickname does not replace the legal name.

Your next step

Contact the cemetery about the existing memorial, permitted style, and setting fee. Then download the appropriate form and gather the Veteran's service records. Call 800-697-6947 if the eligibility or existing-marker situation is unclear.