Requesting a replacement government headstone or marker | veterans affairs

The headstone or marker must meet one of the requirements listed here to be eligible for replacement. ONE OF THESE MUST BE TRUE. THE HEADSTONE OR MARKER: * Is badly deteriorated, unreadable,

stolen, or vandalized, OR * Has an incorrect inscription, OR * Was damaged during shipping, OR * Doesn’t meet certain contract specifications Some historic headstones and markers, or those

that are more than 50 years old, may also be eligible for a replacement.  If a historic marker has inaccurate information, which can be verified with documents like death certificates or

discharge papers, we will correct the error. Then we'll replace the marker “in kind,” which means the marker will have the same type, style, and inscriptions used when the Veteran was

buried. However, if a historic government headstone or marker in a private cemetery is damaged by cemetery personnel, the cemetery should pay all replacement costs. NOTE: Marble and granite

headstones or markers that are replaced and removed from a grave must be destroyed to make sure that the inscription is no longer readable. Bronze markers must be returned to the contractor.

For information about replacing a Veteran’s headstone or marker, you can call us at 800-697-6947. We’re here Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET. Be sure to have the Veteran’s

name, Social Security or service number, and the date of the Veteran’s death.