The National Cemetery Administration (NCA) began accepting applications on Jun. 10, 2024, for a new benefit – a commemorative plaque or urn. It is only available if the veteran is cremated and not interred.
Of important note, if families choose to commemorate their veteran with the commemorative plaque or urn, the VA will be prohibited from interring them in a VA national cemetery or providing a government headstone, marker, or medallion for that Veteran in any cemetery.
The VA will ship the commemorative plaque or urn without charge to the applicant and it becomes their property once received.
For the families you serve, the VA encourages careful consideration of the interment prohibitions before applying to the VA for a commemorative plaque or urn. Many veterans and family members consider the interment and gravesite marking benefits which will be forfeited to be of greater monetary and symbolic value than a plaque or urn. For these reasons, it is critical that the family member consider the final disposition of the veteran's remains and be certain of their decision before completing the application for a plaque or urn.
The NCA has provided the following additional information to help you assist families:
The NCA knows it will be important for you to know whether a family you are serving has commemorated their veteran with a plaque or urn, especially if you rely on the VA to provide a headstone, marker or medallion to mark the grave of the veteran.
To see if a plaque or urn has already been provided, please check the NCA’s Nationwide Gravesite Locator at CAM.VA.gov/Nationwide-Gravesite-Locator; select “Urn/Plaque Benefits” from the Burial Locations drop down menu and enter the name and dates of birth and death. The Urn Plaque Benefits Locator will be updated daily. You may also call the Applicant Assistance Unit at 800-697-6947.
The VA is available to assist and answer any questions. Please visit their website at VA.gov/Burials-Memorials or call the Applicant Assistance Unit at 800-697-6947.