They Served.
They Earned This.
We coordinate the details: paperwork, scheduling, military honors. We stand beside you during the service.
Begin the ProcessVA Burial Benefits: At No Cost to You
Every eligible veteran is entitled to burial at a VA national cemetery. This isn't charity. It's an earned benefit.
Gravesite or Niche
The VA provides a permanent resting place at no cost, either an in-ground gravesite with a flat marker or placement in an above-ground columbarium wall.
Government Marker
The VA furnishes an official headstone, flat marker, or niche cover inscribed with the veteran's name, branch, and dates of service.
Burial Flag
An American flag is ceremonially folded and presented to the next of kin with the words: "On behalf of the President of the United States..."
Perpetual Care
The gravesite is maintained by the VA forever. Grounds are kept, marker cleaned, and the dignity preserved in perpetuity.
Presidential Certificate
A Presidential Memorial Certificate, signed by the sitting President, is issued to honor the veteran's service to the nation.
Opening & Closing
All cemetery services are handled by the VA at no charge to the family.
We Handle the Coordination
The VA has strict requirements for documentation and scheduling. We know this process inside and out, so you don't have to learn it while grieving.
Eligibility Verification
We review the veteran's discharge documents (DD-214) to confirm eligibility for national cemetery burial.
VA Scheduling
We coordinate directly with the National Cemetery Scheduling Office to arrange the committal service at your preferred date and time.
Military Honors Coordination
We arrange for military funeral honors through the appropriate branch or Veterans Service Organization.
Family Preparation
We walk you through what to expect: the committal shelter, the ceremony, the honors, and when you can visit the gravesite.
Day-Of Presence
We attend the committal service with your family to provide support and handle any last-minute coordination.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, the process is available to any family. But it's not simple. The VA has specific documentation requirements, forms need to be submitted correctly the first time, and scheduling involves coordination between multiple offices. Most families are navigating this while grieving, which isn't ideal for learning an unfamiliar government process. We know it well, and we're here if you'd like help.
The VA benefits (gravesite, marker, flag, honors) are free and earned. Our $495 fee is for coordination services: verifying eligibility, preparing and submitting paperwork correctly, scheduling with the cemetery and honors detail, preparing your family for what to expect, and being there with you on the day. You're paying for expertise and presence, not the benefits themselves.
The veteran's DD-214 or equivalent discharge documentation showing honorable service. For a spouse, we'll also need a marriage certificate. For a dependent child, proof of dependency. If you can't locate the DD-214, we can discuss options, but we cannot proceed without proof of eligible service.
The National Personnel Records Center can provide copies, but it takes time (sometimes weeks or months). If you have other military documentation, we can review it together to see if it's sufficient. We're happy to discuss your specific situation.
Yes. Eligible spouses (even if remarried after the veteran's death), minor children, and unmarried adult children who are permanently disabled may be buried with the veteran. The spouse or dependent's name and dates are inscribed on the veteran's marker at no additional cost.
Once we have the required documentation, scheduling typically takes 1-2 weeks depending on cemetery availability and honors coordination. We work with your family's timeline and preferences as much as possible.
The service takes place at a committal shelter at the cemetery. By law, every eligible veteran receives military funeral honors: at least two uniformed service members, the playing of Taps, ceremonial folding of the American flag, and presentation of the flag to next of kin. A rifle volley may also be rendered when available. The service is generally about 20 minutes.
Yes. We attend the committal service with your family to provide support, ensure the ceremony proceeds smoothly, and handle any last-minute coordination so you can focus on the ceremony.
No. Families retain custody of the cremated remains at all times. You bring the urn to the cemetery on the day of the service. We coordinate and attend. We do not transport or handle remains.
You can visit the gravesite anytime the cemetery is open, often the same day, depending on the service time. The cemetery has a public information kiosk to help you locate the site. The gravesite will be maintained in perpetuity at no cost to your family.
One Flat Fee
One Price. All Coordination Included.
- DD-214 review
- Eligibility verification
- VA scheduling
- Cemetery coordination
- Military honors arrangement
- Family preparation
- Day-of guidance
- Professional presence at service
Required: DD-214 or equivalent discharge documentation showing honorable service. Spousal burial requires marriage certificate; dependent burial requires proof of dependency.
Not included: Cremation (must be complete), urn, transportation to cemetery, any memorial service prior to committal.
Expertise You Can Trust
A third-generation, multi-state licensed funeral director, focused on helping families access earned benefits.
Coordinating VA paperwork, scheduling with the cemetery, and arranging military honors can be daunting, and it often results in families putting it off, sometimes indefinitely. That's why we created Earned Honor.
This isn't a funeral home. We specialize exclusively in helping families place their veteran's ashes at a national cemetery with the honors they earned through their service.
You can't buy a plot at a national cemetery. You earn it. We're here to help your family claim what your veteran deserves.
Ready to Honor Their Service?
Let's talk about your veteran and what comes next. No pressure, no obligation. Just a conversation about how we can help.
Earned Honor is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or any government agency. Our $495 fee is for coordination services only and is not a VA benefit. Proof of honorable discharge (DD-214 or equivalent) is required to verify eligibility. Spousal burial requires marriage certificate; dependent burial requires proof of dependency.