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Military Burial
Veteran Cemeteries
Gate of Heaven Cemetery has a special section reserved only for Veterans of the United States military and their spouses. The Veteran's Section consists of traditional in-ground burial as well as garden niches for cremated remains.
Burial in the Veteran's Section is open to all members of the armed forces and veterans who have met minimum active-duty requirements and have been discharged under conditions other than dishonorable.
Military Services
As of January 1, 2000 all eligible veterans, to include military retirees, are entitled to military funeral honors. At a minimum, the funeral honors ceremony will consist of the folding and presentation of the American flag and the playing of Taps. At least two uniformed military personnel, in addition to a bugler, if available, shall perform the ceremony. If a bugler is not available, a high-quality CD will be used. One of the uniformed military personnel will be from the deceased veteran's parent military service and will present the flag to the next of kin.
The Military Services may provide additional elements of honors and may use additional unformed military personnel or other authorized providers, such as members of a veterans organization, to augment the Funeral Honors Detail.
The next of kin or appropriate individual must request the funeral honors, they are not provided automatically. Department of Defense (DoD) policy calls for the funeral directors, rather than the next of kin, to contact the military. This toll free number 1-877-MIL-HONR (645-4667) has been set up for funeral directors to coordinate the ceremonies. DoD has established a website which explains the funeral honors process.
Military Headstones
The VA furnishes upon request, at no charge to the applicant, a Government headstone or marker for the grave of any deceased eligible veteran in any cemetery around the world. For all deaths occurring before December 27, 2001, the VA may provide a headstone or marker only for graves that are not marked with a private headstone.
Requests for headstones or markers are made using VA Form 40-1330, Application for Standard Government Headstone or Marker for Installation in a Private or State Veterans' Cemetery.
Spouses and dependents buried in a private cemetery are not eligible for a Government-provided headstone or marker.
Flat markers in granite, and bronze, and upright headstones in granite and marble are available. The style chosen must be consistent with existing monuments at the place of burial. Niche markers are also available to mark columbaria used for inurnment of cremated remains.
Additional information on military burials can be found on the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Website.
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