Veterans headstones, markers, and medallions

Find out how to apply for a headstone, grave or niche marker, or medallion to honor a Veteran, service member, or eligible family member.

October 12, 2022

A Veteran who didn’t receive a dishonorable discharge or a service member who died while on active duty may be eligible for a headstone or marker if they meet these requirements.

At least one of these must be true:

  • The Veteran or service member died on or after November 1, 1990, and their grave is currently marked with a privately purchased headstone, or
  • The Veteran or service member was buried in an unmarked grave, anywhere in the world

Note: If the Veteran or service member served before World War I, we require detailed documents, like muster rolls, extracts from state files, or the military or state organization where they served.

And for Veterans who served as enlisted personnel after September 7, 1980, or as officers after October 16, 1981, at least one of these must also be true:

  • The Veteran served for a minimum of 24 months of continuous active duty, or
  • The Veteran died while serving on active duty

Note: Hmong individuals who were living in the U.S. when they died are eligible if they were naturalized under the Hmong Veterans Naturalization Act of 2000 and died on or after March 23, 2018.

Applying for a memorial item

Can I apply for one of these memorial items?

In most cases, you can apply for one of these memorial items if you’re representing the deceased Veteran, service member, or family member in any of these relationships or professional roles.

One of these must describe your relationship to the deceased:

  • A family member, or
  • A personal representative (someone who officially represents the deceased), or
  • A representative of an accredited Veterans Service Organization, or
  • An employee of a state or local government whose official responsibilities include serving Veterans, or
  • Any person who’s legally responsible for making arrangements for unclaimed remains or for details having to do with the deceased’s interment or memorialization, or
  • Any individual representing the deceased, if the Veteran’s service ended before April 6, 1917

You must be a member of the deceased’s family to apply for a memorial item if any of these descriptions is true:

  • The deceased’s remains haven’t been recovered or identified, or
  • The deceased’s remains were buried at sea, or
  • The deceased’s remains were donated to science, or
  • The deceased’s remains were cremated and scattered

How do I apply for a memorial item?

You can apply for a memorial item online, by mail, or by fax.

Fill out an application

For a headstone, grave marker, or niche marker, fill out the Claim for Standard Government Headstone or Marker (VA Form 40-1330).

Get VA Form 40-1330 to download

Note: If this is your second request, or if you’re requesting a replacement because of a mistake with the inscription or a damaged headstone or marker, be sure to explain this in block 27 of the form.

For a medallion to be placed on a privately purchased headstone or marker, fill out the Claim for Government Medallion for Placement in a Private Cemetery (VA Form 40-1330M).

Get VA Form 40-1330M to download

Send us your application and supporting documents

You can send us your application and documents in any of these ways:

Online

Submit your application and supporting documents online using the QuickSubmit tool through AccessVA.

If it’s your first time signing into this tool, you’ll need to register first. After you’ve registered, you can upload your application and documents online.

Use the QuickSubmit tool through AccessVA

By mail