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National Cemetery Administration

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Pre-Need Eligibility form.

Pre-Need Eligibility


Planning in advance for a Veteran's or loved-one's final resting place can eliminate unnecessary delays and reduce stress on a family at a difficult time.


Green burial. Return to nature. Rest in green. Eco-friendly farewell. Sow seeds of life.

Green Burials


NCA accepts both cremated and intact remains that are prepared naturally for interment in green burial sections at its open national cemeteries.


Three sizes of Bronze Medallions.

Memorial Benefit: Medallion


Medallions are furnished in lieu of a traditional Government headstone or grave marker for those Veterans who served on or after April 6, 1917, and whose grave in a private cemetery is marked with a privately purchased headstone or marker.


Image of Map from the NCA Find a Cemetery page.

Find a Cemetery


NCA's interactive map enables Veterans to search for their final resting place or for those who want to visit their Veteran interred at 157 VA managed or 124 VA grant-funded cemeteries.


Plan in Advance Green Burials Memorial Benefit: Medallion Find a Cemetery
 

Burial and Memorial Benefits

Review the VA benefits to plan the burial or memorial for Veterans and family members, check eligibility and find out how to apply.

Learn about these VA burial and memorial benefits and more:

  • Headstone or marker
  • Medallion
  • Presidential Memorial Certificates
  • Burial flag
  • Burial allowance

Veterans Legacy Memorial

The Veterans Legacy Memorial is the nation's largest digital platform dedicated to the memory of more than 10 million Veterans and servicemembers.

Visit their memorial pages to celebrate their legacy, military service and sacrifice to our nation.

  • Post tributes
  • Upload images
  • Share biographical information and historical documents
U.S. Army Transport (U.S.A.T.) Dorchester, courtesy of the U.S. Coast Guard.

Remembrance: Four Chaplains Day (Feb. 3)

On February 3, 1943, during World War II, the U.S. Army Transport Dorchester was struck by a German U-boat as it sailed through Torpedo Alley in the Atlantic. The German torpedo tore a hole through the side of Dorchester, and the ship began to sink. As men tried to leave the ship, it became clear that there were not enough life vests and many of the lifeboats were too damaged to use.

The four chaplains on board, Methodist minister Reverend George L. Fox, Rabbi Alexander D. Goode, Reformed Church in America minister Reverend Clark V. Poling, and Catholic priest Father John P. Washington, gave up their life vests to their fellow soldiers. They assisted others in boarding lifeboats and said prayers together as the ship sank. Sadly, the four chaplains went down with Dorchester, along with approximately 600 men.

On December 19, 1944, the four chaplains were posthumously awarded the Purple Heart and the Distinguished Service Cross for their bravery. In 1960, the Four Chaplains' Medal was created and presented to each of their next of kin. The observance of Four Chaplains Day on February 3 each year serves as a time of reflection and remembrance for military and VA chaplains who continue their legacy of service.

NCA invites you to remember these chaplains, as well as other Veterans, by visiting their memorial pages to celebrate the legacy, military service, and sacrifice to our nation of these heroes. You can post tributes, upload images, and share biographical information or historical documents.

Former prisoners of the Mauthausen women's camp in line for soup after liberation by U.S. forces (National Archives and Records Administration, College Park).

Remembrance: Holocaust Liberators (Jan. 27)

On January 27, International Holocaust Remembrance Day, NCA remembers the Veterans who liberated concentration camps during World War II. On that day in 1945, Auschwitz was freed, marking the end of the Holocaust. Later that year, Allied forces began liberating concentration camps as they reached them. In total, 36 U.S. Army divisions were designated as "liberating divisions." These units freed prisoners, documented camp conditions, and provided food and medical care.

VLM Featured Veteran
Henry Johnson
U.S. Army, SGT
World War I
Medal of Honor
Purple Heart (2) · Croix de Guerre
"Harlem Hell Fighters", 369th INF
Jul 15, 1892 – Jul 1, 1929
Photo for Featured Veteran from the Veterans Legacy Memorial (VLM): Henry Johnson, U.S. Army, SGT, World War I, Medal of Honor, Purple Heart (2), Croix de Guerre, Harlem Hell Fighters, 369th Infantry Regiment, July 15, 1892 to July 1, 1929.
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National Cemetery Administration
Attn: General Inquiries
810 Vermont Ave
Washington, DC 20420