VA Designs Medallion for Private Graves

The Department of Veterans Affairs is in the preliminary stages of designing a medallion (IAW Public Law 110-57, December 2007) to be affixed to an existing privately-purchased headstone or marker to signify the deceased's status as a veteran. VA estimates the new medallion will be available in summer 2009.

If requested, this new product can be furnished in lieu of the traditional Government headstone or marker for veterans whose grave is marked with a privately-purchased headstone or marker. This benefit is only applicable if the grave is marked with a privately-purchased headstone or marker. In these instances, eligible veterans are entitled to either a traditional Government-furnished headstone or marker, or the new medallion, but not both. Remember: PL 110-57 allows VA to furnish a Government headstone or marker for the graves of eligible veterans who died on or after Nov. 1, 1990, regardless of whether the grave is already marked with a privately purchased headstone or marker. Under previous law, when the grave was already marked, only veterans who died on or after Sept. 11, 2001 were eligible.

VA will begin accepting claims for the new medallion for once a contract has been awarded for its manufacture. If, after seeing the final new medallion design, the applicant changes his/her mind, the option to switch for a traditional Government-furnished headstone or marker still remains. Claim instructions will be posted at www.cem.va.gov.

There is no change in eligibility for deceased veterans in unmarked graves: Regardless of the date of death, VA will furnish, at no charge to the applicant, a Government headstone or marker for the unmarked grave of any eligible deceased veteran in any cemetery around the world. However, please note: Although there is no charge for the headstone or marker itself, arrangements for placing it in a private cemetery are the applicant’s responsibility and all setting fees are at private expense.