VA Announces Veteran Interment Eligibility Program

VA Announces Veteran Interment Eligibility Program

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has announced that the agency will now determine veteran interment eligibility for a VA national cemetery prior to time of need.

Veteran interment eligibility does not guarantee burial in a specific VA national cemetery; there are no reservations.

The VA will provide written notice of the veteran interment eligibility determination after review of the veteran’s application. The veteran application is VA Form 40-10007 “Application for Pre-Need Determination of Eligibility for Burial in a VA National Cemetery.”

Veterans wishing a pre-need eligibility determination can submit the form along with supporting documentation (such as a DD Form 214) to the VA National Cemetery Scheduling Office in one of three ways:

  • Toll-free fax: 855.840.8299, or
  • Email: preneed@va.gov, or
  • Mail: VA National Cemetery Scheduling Office, PO Box 510543, St. Louis, MO 63151

Veterans can download VA Form 40-10007 from www.va.gov/forms.

The VA will validate all pre-need determinations in accordance with the laws in effect at the actual time of need. Still, families can save time and effort with the new process.

Most important, this program is designed to assist veterans and their families before the time of death. If the veteran has already passed away, a local funeral home or the National Cemetery Scheduling Office (1.800.535.1117) can provide expedited service.

You can find more information about the VA National Cemetery Administration, eligible persons, circumstances resulting in ineligibility, and a list of national and state veteran cemeteries at www.cem.va.gov.