FAMILYVA program
Government Headstones, Markers, and Medallions
A free government-furnished headstone or marker is available for veterans with qualifying honorable service, buried anywhere in the world. A free medallion may also be available to affix to a privately purchased headstone. See the VA.gov headstones and markers page for current details.
Available to veterans with qualifying honorable service
Step-by-step guide
What VA looks for: a headstone or marker for the grave
- Service VA can confirmThe person served and did not receive a dishonorable discharge, or died on active duty. VA looks at the discharge papers for this, and some later service periods carry a minimum length of service.
- An unmarked grave, or a death on or after November 1, 1990An unmarked grave can get a headstone or marker whenever the death occurred. A grave already marked with a privately purchased headstone can get a government one too when the death was on or after November 1, 1990. When remains were not recovered, were buried at sea, were donated to science, or were scattered, a memorial headstone or marker reading "In Memory Of" is available instead.
- An applicant the rule allowsA family member, a personal representative, a representative of a Veterans Service Organization, a state or county veterans service officer, or the person legally responsible for the burial may apply. For a memorial headstone or marker (remains not available), only a family member may apply.
Source: 38 CFR 38.630(a) (opens in new tab); VA.gov: Veterans headstones and markers (opens in new tab); 38 CFR 38.631(a)(1) (opens in new tab); 38 CFR 38.630(c)(1) (opens in new tab); 38 CFR 38.631(c)(1) (opens in new tab)
Which item is this?
- A government headstone or marker (VA Form 40-1330)
VA furnishes a headstone or marker for the grave of a veteran in any cemetery in the world, at no charge. In a national, state veterans, or military post cemetery, the cemetery orders it as part of the burial. In a private or local cemetery, a family member or other applicant sends VA Form 40-1330.
Source: 38 CFR 38.630(a) (opens in new tab); 38 CFR 38.630(b)(1) (opens in new tab); VA.gov: Veterans headstones and markers (opens in new tab); VA Form 40-1330 (opens in new tab)
- A medallion for a privately purchased headstone (VA Form 40-1330M)
A bronze medallion marks a privately purchased headstone or marker in a private cemetery as the grave of a veteran. It comes in place of a government headstone, not in addition to one.
- Service on or after April 6, 1917The veteran served on or after April 6, 1917, and the discharge was under honorable conditions or higher. Later service periods carry the same minimum service rules as a headstone.
- A private grave with a lasting private headstoneThe veteran is buried in a private cemetery, and the grave has a permanent headstone or marker the family bought. The cemetery must sign the application to approve the medallion and its size.
Source: 38 CFR 38.630(a)(2)(iii) (opens in new tab); 38 CFR 38.630(b)(1) (opens in new tab); VA.gov: medallions (opens in new tab); VA Form 40-1330M (opens in new tab)
What to gather, and what it shows VA
| Document | What it shows | How VA gets it | Have it? |
|---|---|---|---|
| DD214 or other discharge papers The veteran's certificate of release or discharge, or another discharge document on VA's list. | The service dates and the character of discharge | Send a copy with the application. If the family does not have one, it can be requested through VA.gov; for a medallion, VA says to apply anyway and VA will try to get it. | Yes |
| VA Form 40-1330 The claim for a standard government headstone or marker, including memorial headstones. | The grave, the inscription, and who is applying | Download it from VA.gov and send it to VA online through QuickSubmit, by mail, or by fax. | |
| VA Form 40-1330M, signed by the cemetery The claim for a government medallion. A cemetery representative reviews and signs it. | The private headstone and the cemetery's approval | Download it from VA.gov, have the cemetery sign it, and send it to VA online through QuickSubmit, by mail, or by fax. | |
| Proof of authority for a personal representative A power of attorney, a guardianship order, or another legal document showing you act for the veteran or family. | That the person applying may apply | Send a copy with the application if you apply as a personal representative. | Yes |
The application and a copy of the discharge papers go to VA, not to BeneVets. Send copies, not originals: VA does not return them.
Steps, in order
- Get free help from a VSO
Free help: an accredited VSO can file this with you. Find one near you in the BeneVets VSO directory at Find an accredited VSO near you.
Source: VA.gov: accredited representatives (opens in new tab)
- Ask the cemetery first
In a national, state veterans, or military post cemetery, the cemetery orders the headstone or marker as part of the burial, so no form is needed. In a private cemetery, ask which headstone styles or medallion sizes it allows.
Source: 38 CFR 38.630(b)(1) (opens in new tab); National Cemetery Administration: burial and memorial benefits (opens in new tab)
- Find the discharge papers
Get a copy of the veteran's DD214 or other discharge papers. If you do not have them, request them through VA.gov.
Source: VA.gov: Veterans headstones and markers (opens in new tab); VA.gov: request your military service records (opens in new tab)
- For a headstone or marker, fill out VA Form 40-1330
Fill out VA Form 40-1330 with the inscription you want. The private cemetery confirms on the form that placement follows its rules.
Source: VA Form 40-1330 (opens in new tab); 38 CFR 38.630(b)(1) (opens in new tab); VA.gov: Veterans headstones and markers (opens in new tab)
- For a medallion, fill out VA Form 40-1330M
Fill out VA Form 40-1330M and have a cemetery representative review and sign it.
Source: VA Form 40-1330M (opens in new tab); VA.gov: medallions (opens in new tab)
- Send it to VA
Send the form and copies of the papers online through QuickSubmit, by mail, or by fax, using the details on the VA.gov page. Do not send originals.
Source: VA.gov: Veterans headstones and markers (opens in new tab); VA.gov: medallions (opens in new tab)
Good to know
For a private or local cemetery, VA ships the headstone or marker to the cemetery and the medallion to the applicant. VA does not pay to install a headstone or attach a medallion.
Source: 38 CFR 38.630(b)(4) (opens in new tab); National Cemetery Administration: burial and memorial benefits (opens in new tab)
Spouses and dependent children buried in a national, state, tribal, or military cemetery can get a headstone or marker. In a private cemetery they cannot get their own, but may get an inscription on the veteran's headstone or marker.
Source: VA.gov: Veterans headstones and markers (opens in new tab); National Cemetery Administration: burial and memorial benefits (opens in new tab)
VA replaces a government headstone, marker, or medallion that is damaged beyond repair, worn so it no longer identifies the person, stolen or vandalized, or carries a factual error. Explain a replacement in block 27 of VA Form 40-1330.
Source: 38 CFR 38.630(b)(3) (opens in new tab); VA.gov: Veterans headstones and markers (opens in new tab); VA Form 40-1330 (opens in new tab)
BeneVets is informational and is not an accredited representative. Free help: an accredited VSO can work through VA benefits with you at no cost. Find an accredited VSO near you
Sources checked October 7, 2026: 38 CFR 38.630(a) (opens in new tab), 38 CFR 38.630(a)(2)(iii) (opens in new tab), 38 CFR 38.630(b)(1) (opens in new tab), 38 CFR 38.630(b)(3) (opens in new tab), 38 CFR 38.630(b)(4) (opens in new tab), 38 CFR 38.630(c)(1) (opens in new tab), 38 CFR 38.631(a)(1) (opens in new tab), 38 CFR 38.631(c)(1) (opens in new tab), VA.gov: Veterans headstones and markers (opens in new tab), VA.gov: medallions (opens in new tab), VA Form 40-1330 (opens in new tab), VA Form 40-1330M (opens in new tab), National Cemetery Administration: burial and memorial benefits (opens in new tab), VA.gov: request your military service records (opens in new tab), VA.gov: accredited representatives (opens in new tab)