Government headstones and markers FAQs

Get answers to specific questions you may have about government headstones and markers. 

Yes. You’ll choose either a headstone or marker and the material you’d like it to be made of. You’ll make your choice by selecting one of the boxes in block 15 of the Claim for Standard

Government Headstone or Marker (VA Form 40-1330).Get VA Form 40-1330 to download

Note: For burial in a private cemetery, check with officials at the specific cemetery to make sure they allow the style you want.Learn more about burial in a private cemetery

The person’s next of kin, or an authorized representative (like a funeral home director) must provide this information to cemetery officials at a national cemetery, state Veterans cemetery,

military post cemetery, or military base cemetery. These officials will order the headstone or marker for you.

For national or state cemeteries, please contact the cemetery directly to find out when the headstone or marker will arrive.

Cemetery staff in national, military post, and military base cemeteries are responsible for setting the headstone or marker at no cost to you. Some state Veterans cemeteries may charge you a

small fee for setting a government headstone or marker.

Note: For spouses and other dependents, this benefit is for burial only in national, military post, military base, or state Veterans cemeteries, not private cemeteries.

The words engraved on the memorial item must begin, “IN MEMORY OF.”

Yes. All Veterans are eligible for their own headstone and gravesite.

When you choose to get a plaque or urn for a Veteran, they will no longer be eligible for burial in a VA national cemetery. And we won’t be able to provide a government headstone, marker, or

medallion for the Veteran after you’ve received a plaque or urn.