Our country’s veterans make sacrifices to protect our freedoms, so it’s only fitting that they receive the proper respect in their passing. That’s why the government provides special memorial headstones and accessories for graves of our nation’s bravest citizens. If a veteran in your life recently passed, this guide will help you obtain a monument designed to honor them.

Eligibility Requirements for Veteran Memorial Markers

The majority of veterans who were honorably discharged are eligible for these special memorial markers when they meet certain requirements. The first is that they are to be buried or memorialized in a federal or state Veterans cemetery, or at a military base. Those put to rest in private cemeteries do not qualify.

Those whose only active service came during training in the National Guard or Reserves typically do not receive these markers. However, if they died while on duty or as a result of the training, they may qualify.

If the veteran is buried in the appropriate cemetery and the grave is already marked with a tombstone, you still have the option to apply for a traditional headstone or marker. You can also attach a special government-issued medallion to the existing headstone.

How to Obtain a Veteran Grave Marker

To apply, you must be a direct family member or legal representative of the deceased, their family, or an accredited Veterans Service Organization. Start by filling out VA Form 40-1330, which is your claim for the government marker. If you are attaching a medallion to an existing grave, you need to use VA Form 40-1330M.

Once the application has been completed, submit it via mail or fax with a copy of the deceased’s DD214 or other discharge documents. A full list of accepted forms can be found here. The documents need to be faxed or mailed to the National Cemetery Administrations Memorial Products Service office.

 

If you’d like a personalized memorial marker to honor the life of a veteran, contact McGee Monument in Morrilton, AR. With over 100 years of experience serving families, they will work with you to create a monument that honors your loved one’s life. Get started on your custom marker by calling (800) 750-0177 or view a gallery of their work online.