FAMILYVA program
Pre-Need Burial Eligibility Determination
Veterans and eligible family members may apply in advance for a pre-need burial eligibility determination at a VA national cemetery, simplifying funeral arrangements at the time of need.
Step-by-step guide
What VA reviews when you apply for yourself
- Service VA counts for national cemetery burialVA looks at the service and the character of discharge under the same rules it uses at the time of need.
- Applied before the time of needThe person has not died. After a death, the family schedules the burial instead of applying here.
- The applicant, or a person allowed to act for themSomeone else can apply only when the applicant cannot make decisions or cannot sign, and that person shows their authority.
Source: 38 CFR 38.620 (opens in new tab); VA.gov: pre-need burial determination (opens in new tab); VA.gov: schedule a burial (opens in new tab); VA Form 21-22 (opens in new tab); VA Form 21-22a (opens in new tab)
Who is the application for?
- A veteran or service member applying for themselves
A veteran or service member can ask VA ahead of time to decide whether they may be buried in a VA national cemetery. The decision letter makes arrangements easier for the family later.
Source: VA.gov: pre-need burial determination (opens in new tab); 38 CFR 38.620 (opens in new tab); VA Form 40-10007 (opens in new tab)
- A spouse or dependent child applying
A spouse or dependent child of a veteran can apply on their own. Each family member needs a separate application.
- A spouse or child as the rule defines itA spouse, a minor child, or an unmarried adult child who became permanently disabled before 21, or 23 in school, of a veteran whose service counts.
- For an adult child: disability detailsFor an adult dependent child, VA asks when the disability began, what it is, how dependent the child is on the veteran, and the child's marital status, verified by the child's health care provider.
Source: 38 CFR 38.620(e) (opens in new tab); VA.gov: pre-need burial determination (opens in new tab)
What to gather, and what it shows VA
| Document | What it shows | How VA gets it | Have it? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-need application (VA Form 40-10007) The application for a pre-need burial decision. It asks for personal details, military history, and a preferred national cemetery. | Who is applying and the service VA reviews | Apply online on VA.gov, or mail the form to the NCA Evidence Intake Center, PO Box 5237, Janesville, WI 53547. | |
| DD214 or other separation documents The discharge papers of the applicant, or of the veteran a family member is connected to. | The service and the character of discharge | Optional but helpful. Send a copy with the application; without it, VA will request the records it needs for you. | Yes |
| Adult child disability details Documents about the adult child's disability, verified by the child's current health care provider. | When the disability began and how dependent the child is on the veteran | The provider verifies them. They go to VA with the application or after it, not to BeneVets. | |
| Authority to apply for someone else Papers or an affidavit showing you are the court-appointed representative, the caregiver (including a spouse or other relative), the durable power of attorney, or the principal officer of the place where the applicant gets care. | That the person applying may act for the applicant | Send copies to VA with the application, or after it. VA cannot process the application until it has them. | |
| VA Form 21-22 or 21-22a The appointment form for a Veterans Service Organization (21-22) or an individual (21-22a). VA.gov asks for one of them with an application made for someone else. | Who is acting for the applicant | Fill out one of the forms and send it to VA with the application. |
Discharge papers and supporting documents go to VA with the application. BeneVets does not ask for copies of them.
Steps, in order
- Check this is the right process
Pre-need is for a VA national cemetery, before a death. After a death, schedule the burial instead.
Source: VA.gov: pre-need burial determination (opens in new tab); VA.gov: planning ahead for burial in a VA national cemetery (opens in new tab)
- Gather your details and papers
Have your Social Security number, date of birth, military history, a preferred national cemetery, and a copy of the DD214 if you have it.
Source: VA.gov: pre-need burial determination (opens in new tab)
- Get free help
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)
- Apply with VA Form 40-10007
Apply online on VA.gov, or mail the form and copies of your documents to the NCA Evidence Intake Center, PO Box 5237, Janesville, WI 53547. Use one application per person.
Source: VA Form 40-10007 (opens in new tab); VA.gov: pre-need burial determination (opens in new tab)
- Keep the decision letter and tell your family
Store the letter safely, tell your family where it is, and share your wishes. You can give a copy to your funeral home.
Source: VA.gov: after you apply for a pre-need determination (opens in new tab)
- At the time of need, the family calls VA
The person arranging the burial calls the National Cemetery Scheduling Office at 800-535-1117 (TTY: 711) with the decision letter.
Source: VA.gov: after you apply for a pre-need determination (opens in new tab); 38 CFR 38.619(a) (opens in new tab)
Good to know
Pre-need covers VA national cemeteries. State, territory, and tribal veterans cemeteries run their own programs, and Arlington National Cemetery is contacted directly.
Source: VA.gov: planning ahead for burial in a VA national cemetery (opens in new tab); VA.gov: pre-need burial determination (opens in new tab)
The decision letter names no cemetery or gravesite. At the time of need, VA checks whether a change in law or circumstances affects the decision.
Source: VA.gov: schedule a burial (opens in new tab); VA.gov: after you apply for a pre-need determination (opens in new tab)
If VA decides against burial before the time of need, the family can still request burial when the time comes, and VA sends decision review options with the letter.
Source: VA.gov: after you apply for a pre-need determination (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 38.619(a) (opens in new tab), 38 CFR 38.620 (opens in new tab), 38 CFR 38.620(e) (opens in new tab), VA.gov: pre-need burial determination (opens in new tab), VA.gov: after you apply for a pre-need determination (opens in new tab), VA.gov: planning ahead for burial in a VA national cemetery (opens in new tab), VA.gov: schedule a burial (opens in new tab), VA Form 40-10007 (opens in new tab), VA Form 21-22 (opens in new tab), VA Form 21-22a (opens in new tab), VA.gov: accredited representatives (opens in new tab)