VA Cemetery Eligibility

PLAN AHEAD: Do the VA pre-need eligibility application BEFORE the Veteran passes, not after.

Why plan ahead

Burial in a VA national cemetery is a benefit many Marine families only learn about after a Veteran dies. At that moment, gathering a DD-214, proving eligibility, and scheduling a burial adds hard steps on top of grief. VA offers a pre-need determination of eligibility so you can find out now whether you (or a spouse/dependent) qualify. Completing it early shortens what families must do later.

Official overview: Pre-need eligibility for burial in a VA cemetery: https://www.va.gov/burials-memorials/pre-need-eligibility/

Who may be eligible (high level)

In general, burial in a VA national cemetery may be available to:

Veterans discharged under conditions other than dishonorable

Service members who die on active duty (or certain training duty)

Eligible spouses and surviving spouses (even if they remarry after the Veteran's death)

Minor children of a Veteran, and in some cases unmarried adult dependent children

National Guard, Reserve, and other special categories have additional rules. Some discharges require a VA character-of-discharge review.

Full rules: Eligibility for burial in a VA national cemetery: https://www.va.gov/burials-memorials/eligibility/

Arlington National Cemetery and the Soldiers' and Airmen's Home National Cemetery use a different process - contact Arlington directly. State, territory, or tribal Veterans cemeteries have their own pre-need programs.

Pre-need determination (do this while the Veteran is living)

Form: VA Form 40-10007 - Application for Pre-Need Determination of Eligibility for Burial in a VA National Cemetery

Form page: VA Form 40-10007: https://www.va.gov/forms/40-10007/

PDF: Download VA Form 40-10007: https://www.va.gov/vaforms/va/pdf/VA%20Form%2040-10007.pdf

Online application: linked from the pre-need page: https://www.va.gov/burials-memorials/pre-need-eligibility/

Important: Pre-need means before death. Do not use Form 40-10007 after someone has died. At time of need, schedule a burial instead (below).

What to gather

Personal information (including SSN and date of birth)

Military history of the Veteran or service member

Preferred VA national cemetery name (preference is not a reservation)

Supporting proof of service when available - usually a DD Form 214 (or other separation documents). If you cannot find the DD-214, VA will try to locate records, but that can slow things down.

If you are applying for someone else, you may need proof you can act for them (caregiver, power of attorney, court-appointed representative, etc.) and VA Form 21-22 or 21-22a. Separate applications are needed for each person in a family.

How to submit

Step 1: Online - from the pre-need page

Step 2: Mail: NCA Evidence Intake Center, PO Box 5237, Janesville, WI 53547

Step 3: Fax: National Cemetery Scheduling Office - 855-840-8299

Guide: Guide to Completing VA's Pre-Need Burial Eligibility Application (PDF): https://www.cem.va.gov/docs/wcag/outreach/Infosheet-Guide-to-Completing-VA-Pre-need-Burial-Eligibility-Application.pdf

A pre-need decision letter confirms eligibility. It does not lock a specific cemetery or gravesite.

When someone has already died (time of need)

Step 1: Work with a funeral director if you wish.

Step 2: Gather the Veteran's DD-214 (or other discharge papers) and basic information about the deceased and next of kin.

Step 3: Fax discharge papers to the National Cemetery Scheduling Office: 866-900-6417, or email NCA.Scheduling@va.gov (put the person's name in the subject).

Step 4: Call 800-535-1117 (TTY 711), Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m.-7:30 p.m. ET, to schedule.

Full steps: Schedule a burial for a Veteran or family member: https://www.va.gov/burials-memorials/schedule-a-burial/

Request a copy of a DD-214 if needed: linked from that page ("Find out how to request the Veteran's DD214").

If you already have a pre-need decision letter, call the same number to request burial - you still cannot reserve a specific gravesite in advance.

Our local national cemetery: Quantico

National Memorial Cemetery at Quantico

18424 Joplin Road, Triangle, VA 22172

Phone: 703-221-2183 | Fax: 703-221-2185

Cemetery page (NCA): https://www.cem.va.gov/cems/nchp/nmcq.asp

Space is available for casketed and cremated remains. Visitation: sunrise to sunset. Office: Mon-Fri 7:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m. (closed most federal holidays; open Memorial Day and Veterans Day).

Scheduling for national cemeteries still goes through the National Cemetery Scheduling Office (800-535-1117), not only the local office. Contact the cemetery directly to cancel/reschedule, change details, or ask cemetery-specific questions (flowers, inscriptions, hours).

Daily burial schedule: https://cem.va.gov/dailyburialschedule/

Related memorial benefits (high level)

These are separate from (but often used with) national cemetery burial:

Headstones, markers, niche covers, medallions - Veterans headstones and markers: https://www.va.gov/burials-memorials/memorial-items/headstones-markers/

Presidential Memorial Certificate - Presidential Memorial Certificates: https://www.va.gov/burials-memorials/memorial-items/presidential-memorial-certificates/ (often provided automatically at a national cemetery burial; family may request additional copies)

Burial allowance / funeral cost help - Veterans burial allowance: https://www.va.gov/burials-memorials/veterans-burial-allowance/ (eligibility depends on circumstances; apply with VA Form 21P-530EZ)

Quick checklist for Marine families

Step 1: Locate (or request) the Veteran's DD-214 now - do not wait.

Step 2: Apply for pre-need eligibility (Form 40-10007 or online) for the Veteran and, if desired, the spouse.

Step 3: Keep the decision letter with your important papers.

Step 4: At time of need, call 800-535-1117 (funeral home can help).

Step 5: For Northern Virginia / Quantico area, use National Memorial Cemetery at Quantico as your preferred cemetery on the application if that is your wish.

Detachment 1205 shares official VA links for convenience. We do not determine eligibility. Always confirm with VA / the National Cemetery Scheduling Office.