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Veterans Information

Who is eligible for burial in a National Cemetery? click here

FOR BURIAL IN A NATIONAL CEMETERY
Burial benefits available at not cost to the family:
    - gravesite in a national cemetery
    - opening and closing of the grave
    - grave liner (for casket burials)
    - perpetual care
    - Government headstone or marker
    - burial flag
    - Presidential Memorial Certificate

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

 

The Veteran's family will need to make funeral or cremation arrangements with a funeral service provider. The funeral service provider will contact the National Cemetery Scheduling Office to schedule the burial or inurnment. Any item or service obtained from a funeral service provider will be at the family's expense.

PREPARING IN ADVANCE

Gravesites in Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) national cemeteries cannot be reserved in advance. You should advise your family of your wishes and where your discharge papers are kept. These papers are very important in establishing your eligibility. If you are unable to locate your discharge papers (i.e., DD214), click here to print the VA Military Record Request Form SF180.


At the time of need, your family would contact a funeral home that will assist them with making burial arrangements at the national cemetery. You may wish to make pre-need arrangements with a funeral home.


Some veterans may also be eligible for Burial Allowances. click here


MILITARY FUNERAL HONORS
"Honoring Those Who Served"

The Department of Defense (DOD) is responsible for providing military funeral honors. "Honoring Those Who Served" is the title of the DOD program for providing dignified military funeral honors to Veterans who have defended our nation.

Upon the family's request, Public Law 106-65 requires that every eligible Veteran receive a military funeral honors ceremony, to include folding and presenting the United States burial flag and the playing of Taps. The law defines a military funeral honors detail as consisting of two or more uniformed military persons, with at least one being a member of the Veteran's parent service of the armed forces. The DOD program calls for funeral home directors to request military funeral honors on behalf of the Veteran's family. However, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) National Cemetery Administration cemetery staff can also assist with arranging military funeral honors at VA national cemeteries.

Veterans organizations, such as the Inter-Veterans Burial Detail of Sangamon County, may assist in providing military funeral honors. The Inter-Veterans are an organized group of veterans, men and women, from all branches of the military who volunteer their time to provide military funeral honors for their fellow comrades. As part of their honor service, the commander, chaplain, and four other members of the team have speaking parts. They also provided a rifle squad, a bugler to play "Taps," and members to fold and present the flag.

Click the links below to view videos created by the National Cemetery Administration to help Veterans and their families know what to expect when arriving at a National Cemetery for a committal service.

Casket Burial with Military Funeral Honors

Casket Burial without Military Funeral Honors

Cremains Burial/Inurnment with Military Funeral Honors

Cremains Burial/Inurnment without Military Funeral Honors

OTHER OPTIONS FOR VETERAN'S AND THEIR FAMILIES

Some Veterans may wish to be buried or inurned in a private cemetery. Oak Ridge Cemetery in Springfield now offers an alternative for those Veterans and their family members. Veterans and Friends of Veterans lawn crypts overlook the World War II, Korean and Vietnam War Memorials.

All inclusive burial packages consist of crypt (vault), opening/closing of grave, endowed care and a memorial upright marker. Preneed packages with low monthly payments and no interest are available. 

For additional information, please contact Oak Ridge Cemetery at (217) 789-2340.
Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.