Our Complete Guide to National Cemeteries

For Veterans and their loved ones, burial in a national cemetery offers something unique: dignified honors, low or no-cost burial benefits, and a lasting connection to the nation’s history.

But how do national cemeteries work, and what should families know before the time comes?

Below, we’ve gathered both essential information and fascinating facts about cemeteries operated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and other government agencies. 

Who Is Eligible for Burial in a National Cemetery?

Eligibility is based primarily on military service, but it often extends to family members as well.

In general, those eligible include:

• Veterans discharged under conditions other than dishonorable
• Active-duty service members
• Certain National Guard and Reserve members
• Eligible spouses and dependent children

This makes national cemeteries not just a resting place for Veterans but also for families.

How Much Does Burial in a National Cemetery Cost?

For eligible Veterans—and often their spouses—burial in a national cemetery is provided at no cost.

This typically includes:

• Gravesite or columbarium niche
• Opening and closing of the grave
• Perpetual care
• Government headstone or marker
• Burial flag
• Military funeral honors, with playing of “Taps”

Do You Have to Live Near a National Cemetery to Be Buried There?

The VA operates 155 national cemeteries across the United States, Puerto Rico, and U.S. territories such as Guam and American Samoa. The U.S. Army oversees an additional 34 soldiers and post cemeteries, including Arlington. However, not every state has a national cemetery. In those cases, transportation costs for burial or cremation interment might fall to families. There are situations where assistance from the VA might be available:

• If a Veteran passes away while admitted to a VA facility, the VA may help cover certain transportation expenses
• Eligible families may also receive burial allowances or reimbursements to help offset funeral and burial costs

If a national cemetery isn’t practical for financial reasons or proximity, there are other dignified options to choose from:  

• State Veterans cemeteries
• Tribal Veterans cemeteries
• Private cemeteries that accommodate Veterans

Many VA benefits, such as a government headstone, burial flag, and military funeral honors, are still available, even if the burial takes place outside a national cemetery.

Do State and Tribal Cemeteries Have Different Requirements?

There are more than 120 state and 20 tribal Veterans cemeteries nationwide, supported in part by the Veterans Cemetery Grants Program (VCGP).

While they follow similar eligibility guidelines, these resting places may also require:

• Proof of state residency
• Tribal affiliation or connection

Can Veterans Choose a Specific National Cemetery?

Veterans can request a specific national cemetery, but placement depends on available space at the time of need. While individuals can express a preference, the National Cemetery Administration does not guarantee a spot in a particular cemetery or a specific gravesite.

To prepare in advance, the VA offers a pre-need eligibility determination, which allows Veterans to confirm eligibility ahead of time. While this doesn’t reserve a space, it helps families move forward more quickly and confidently when arrangements are needed.

Not All Veterans Are Eligible for Every Cemetery

Eligibility for interment in national cemeteries can vary by location.

For example, Arlington National Cemetery has more restrictive requirements than most national cemeteries. Established in 1864 on the former estate of Robert E. Lee, Arlington is the final resting place for more than 400,000 service members and their families, and home to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

What Happens When a National Cemetery Is “Full” or “Closed”?

When a national cemetery is listed as “full” or “closed,” that doesn’t always mean it’s not an option for a Veteran.

Even after space for new burials is limited, cemeteries may still allow:

• Burial of spouses or family members in existing graves
• Cremated remains (inurnment)
• Second interments

Where Are National Cemeteries Located?

There are cemeteries throughout the country, including Alaska, Hawaii, and U.S. territories. Geographically, the national cemetery system spans each compass point:

• Easternmost: Maine Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery (Maine)
• Westernmost: National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (Hawaii)
• Northernmost: Fort Richardson National Cemetery (Alaska)
• Southernmost: Puerto Rico National Cemetery (Puerto Rico)

What Is the Largest (and Smallest) National Cemetery?

National cemeteries vary widely in size:

• Largest by acreage: Riverside National Cemetery (California), over 900 acres
• Largest by burials: Arlington National Cemetery (Virginia)
• Smallest: Hampton, VA Medical Center National Cemetery (Virginia), less than one acre with fewer than two dozen burials

How Did National Cemeteries Begin?

The national cemetery system grew out of the Civil War, when the federal government needed a way to bury and honor thousands of fallen soldiers.

In 1862, Congress authorized the creation of national cemeteries, establishing federally maintained burial grounds where service members would be treated equally, regardless of rank.

That principle evolved slowly. In the early years, particularly in parts of the South, cemeteries often buried Black and white soldiers in separate sections. Over time, national cemeteries moved toward integrated layouts with uniform headstones, reflecting a broader recognition of shared service and sacrifice.

Do Veterans Receive a 21-Gun Salute at a Military Funeral?

The 21-gun salute is reserved for presidents and certain high-ranking officials. Most Veterans receive a three-volley rifle salute, performed by an honor guard.

Can You Request a Horse-Drawn Caisson?

While often associated with military funerals, a horse-drawn caisson is not standard.

These ceremonies are typically reserved for specific individuals, such as high-ranking officers or national figures. Most Veterans receive military funeral honors that include flag presentation and “Taps.”

Who Was the First Woman Veteran Buried in a National Cemetery?

Women have served since the nation’s earliest conflicts, but many were historically buried in private cemeteries. A few of the earliest known women Veterans include:

• Deborah Sampson, Revolutionary War soldier
• Dr. Mary Edwards Walker, Civil War surgeon and Medal of Honor recipient

Today, women Veterans are widely represented in national cemeteries, reflecting a more complete recognition of their service.

Are You a Veteran or Military Family Member?

National cemeteries are more than burial grounds: they are places of history, reflection, and national identity. Incorporating a final resting place in a national cemetery is a point of honor for Veterans and their families. Understanding how to access VA burial and cremation benefits is part of what a licensed funeral director can do for your family. To find a Veterans funeral specialist near you, please search our locations by ZIP, city, or state.