Claim for Standard Government Headstone or Marker

Your information as the person requesting the marker. Can be the next of kin, funeral director, cemetery representative, or other authorized person. You will also be the point of contact if VA has questions.

(your name, address, phone, relationship)

Common mistakes

• ×Not providing a reliable phone number - VA may call with questions about inscription details.

All information must be accurate because it will be inscribed permanently on the marker. Use the exact legal name as it appears on the DD-214 (or desired name as it will appear on the marker). VA will verify eligibility against service records.

e.g., JOHN MICHAEL SMITH; U.S. ARMY; 06/15/1968-06/14/1970; Vietnam

Common mistakes

• ×Spelling errors or incorrect dates that will be permanently inscribed - review carefully before submitting.
• ×Using a nickname instead of the legal name - the legal name from DD-214 is standard.
• ×Not noting the veteran's military service in Vietnam, Korea, or other conflicts - VA can inscribe "Vietnam" or other theater markings.

Authority

• 38 USC 2306 - Authority for VA to furnish headstones, markers, and medallions at no cost.

Options: (1) UPRIGHT MARBLE OR GRANITE (traditional headstone, available in granite, marble, or sandstone); (2) FLAT GRANITE (flat marker, set level with the ground); (3) FLAT MARBLE; (4) FLAT BRONZE (on granite base); (5) NICHE BRONZE (for columbaria); (6) MEDALLION ONLY (bronze medallion for private marker that is already in place - see 40-1330M). For private cemeteries, all options are available. For national cemeteries, the cemetery chooses the type.

e.g., Upright granite headstone (White) OR Flat granite marker

Common mistakes

• ×Ordering an upright headstone when a medallion is all that is needed for an already-marked private grave - use 40-1330M for the medallion-only option.
• ×Not checking with the cemetery about acceptable marker types - some cemeteries have restrictions on upright vs flat markers.

What appears on the marker: (1) Name (full legal name or shortened form - your choice); (2) Years of birth and death; (3) Military information (branch, rank, awards including Medal of Honor designation); (4) Religious emblem of belief (66 approved emblems from Christian crosses to various religious symbols to atheist/agnostic); (5) Optional epitaph of up to 3 lines (28 characters per line). Epitaphs cost nothing extra.

e.g., Name: JOHN M. SMITH; Branch: US ARMY; Dates: 1948-2026; Emblem: Latin Cross; Epitaph: BELOVED FATHER AND VETERAN

Common mistakes

• ×Not requesting the veteran's awards on the marker - decorations like the Purple Heart or Combat Infantryman Badge can be inscribed.
• ×Forgetting the epitaph option - it is free and gives family a meaningful personalization.
• ×Selecting a religious emblem without confirming it matches the veteran's wishes or religion.

VA ships the marker directly to the cemetery. Provide the full cemetery name, street address, city/state/ZIP, and the name and phone number of the cemetery employee who will receive the shipment. The cemetery is responsible for setting the marker (often at additional cost from the cemetery).

e.g., Evergreen Memorial Park, 123 Cemetery Rd, Tucson AZ 85701; Contact: Margaret Lee, Superintendent, (520) 555-0100

Common mistakes

• ×Not confirming with the cemetery before ordering - the cemetery must be willing to accept and set the marker.
• ×Not noting that the marker setting is NOT free - VA ships the marker free, but the cemetery typically charges a setting fee ($150-400).

Sign and date. You are certifying the veteran's eligibility and that the inscription information is accurate.

(your signature/date)

Common mistakes

• ×Signing without double-checking the inscription - errors are difficult to correct once the marker is produced.