Burial in a VA National Cemetery

Veterans, service members, and some family members may be eligible for burial in a VA national cemetery. Find out if you, or a person you’re planning a burial for, can get this benefit.

Who is eligible?

Veterans, service members, spouses, and dependents may be eligible for burial in a VA national cemetery, as well as other benefits, if they meet one of these requirements.

One of these must be true:

  • The person qualifying for burial benefits is a Veteran who didn’t receive a dishonorable discharge, or
  • The person qualifying for burial benefits is a service member who died while on active duty, active duty for training, or inactive duty for training, or
  • The person qualifying for burial benefits is the spouse or surviving spouse of a Veteran (even if they remarried after the Veteran’s death), or
  • The person qualifying for burial benefits is the minor child of a Veteran (even if the Veteran died first) or, in some cases, the unmarried adult dependent child of a Veteran

For more specific eligibility requirements, please visit the VA site. 

When and where is this service offered?

This service is available throughout the year during regular business hours except during scheduled holidays.

Location, directions and hours of operation

Click on location name to show hours of operation, directions and phone information

By appointment only


800 West Branch Street
Arroyo Grande, CA 93420

Tel: (805) 781-5766

Fax: (805) 781-5769

By appointment only


240 Scott Street
Paso Robles, CA 93446

Tel: (805) 781-5766

Fax: (805) 781-5769

Monday - Friday 9-5


801 Grand Avenue
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401

Tel: (805) 781-5766

Fax: (805) 781-5769

FAQS

Burial benefits available for Veterans buried in a private cemetery may include a Government headstone, marker or medallion, a burial flag, and a Presidential Memorial Certificate, at no cost to the family. Some Veterans may also be eligible for Burial Allowances. There are not any VA benefits available to spouses and dependents buried in a private cemetery.

Eligible spouses and dependents may be buried, even if they predecease the Veteran.  Burial benefits available for spouses and dependents buried in a national cemetery include burial with the Veteran, perpetual care, and the spouse or dependents name and date of birth and death will be inscribed on the Veteran's headstone, at no cost to the family.

Please visit the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs National Cemetery Administration's Types of Headstones, Markers and Medallions Available webpage for the most updated information.  Available Emblems of Belief for Placement on Government Headstones and Markers