PLAN YOUR LEGACY
Plan with Peace of Mind and Honor Your Legacy
The National Cemetery Administration (NCA) is here to help you and your family plan ahead with confidence. Many Veterans and loved ones are unaware of the burial and memorial benefits available through VA, including burial in a VA national cemetery, memorial options for private cemeteries, and other forms of support.
Explore What’s Available Now and in the Future
Whether you choose burial in a VA national cemetery or a private cemetery, learning about your options ahead of time can reduce stress for your loved ones and make sure your wishes are known. Through the Plan Today, Honor Forever campaign, NCA offers Veterans and their families helpful tools to:
Learn about the burial and memorial benefits you may qualify for
Share important planning information with your family and caregivers
Check your eligibility for burial in a VA national cemetery
Understand how VA burial allowances may help cover costs
Apply Now for Pre-need Burial Eligibility
Veterans and spouses can apply now to determine their eligibility for burial in a VA national cemetery. The online application takes less than 10 minutes to complete and can reduce uncertainty during a difficult time.mplete Your Pre-need Burial Eligibility Application Now
If you have questions about pre-need burial eligibility, call the National Cemetery Scheduling Office at 800-535-1117 (TTY:711) and select 4, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. ET.
All the Resources You Need in One Place
Visit www.cem.va.gov/veterans-and-families to explore new and updated planning tools such as:
Downloadable flyers and infosheets to help guide your decision-making
Details on burial benefits at VA national cemeteries
Information on VA benefits you can receive when buried in a private cemetery
Resources to help you talk with your family about your wishes
Share Your Legacy
You can now share your story in your own words through the Veterans Legacy Memorial’s (VLM) “Your Story, Your Legacy” feature. Use this tool to upload images, autobiographies, written tributes, military and life milestones, and historical documents. After your passing, VLM will publish your submissions on its website—the nation’s largest online memorial dedicated to honoring America’s Veterans.
To access the “Your Story, Your Legacy” page, start by submitting a pre-need burial eligibility application online. Once approved, you will receive an email to set up your personal VLM page. Watch this short video to learn more.
Stay Connected
If you haven’t already, please click the button below to subscribe to the Burial and Memorial Benefits for Veterans and Families email to receive more messages like this with focused VA burial benefits information and links to helpful resources.