Military Honors
Click here for a Funeral Director’s and Planner’s Resources webpage for military funeral honors
Click here for a video explaining military funeral honors
Military Honors Protocol
The funeral director contacts a local VFW or American Legion Post to conduct firing party detail to complete the full military honors requirements.
A form should be filled out and submitted or phone call made to the branch of service the decedent served.
The funeral director submits a form/request for a flag.
Military Honors Forms
National Cemetery Scheduling Office
Phone: 800-535-1117
Fax any discharge papers to the National Cemetery Scheduling Office at 866-900-6417. Or scan and email the papers to NCA.Scheduling@va.gov with the person’s name you’re requesting burial benefits for in the subject line.
VA website for veteran burials
Change in National Cemetery Scheduling Office Hours
Effective November 7, 2022, the National Cemetery Scheduling Office is changing their weekend hours. The new Scheduling Office operational hours will be as follows:
Saturday: The office will be open from 9:00am – 5:30pm Eastern Time
Sunday: The office will be closed
Monday – Friday from 8:00am – 7:30pm Eastern time
Change in National Cemetery Scheduling Office Phone Menu
The National Cemetery Scheduling Office has implemented changes to our phone system. We have changed our call menu to add Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs). This will assist infrequent or first-time callers in answering questions they may have or redirect them to the appropriate VA office.
The primary selection options remain the same:
1 - Schedule a burial
2 - Schedule a burial (Spanish) and FAQs (Spanish)
3 - Case Status
4 - Pre-Need Application Status
5 - FAQs (English)
6 - For VA Grant Funded State or Tribal
7 - Veteran Crisis Line
The National Cemetery Administration has partnered with the Veterans Benefits Administration to allow submitting claims and supporting documents online. Applicants may now use the direct upload tool through AccessVA to submit forms for memorial benefits.
What is Direct Upload?
Direct Upload is an online tool that provides the most convenient, secure, and safest way for Veterans and their family members to submit claims and evidence to NCA electronically.
What to submit to NCA via Direct Upload?
VA Form 40-1330 Claim for Standard Government Headstone or Marker
VA Form 40-1330M Claim for Government Medallion for Placement in Private Cemetery
VA Form 40-0247 Presidential Memorial Certificate Request Form
VA Form 40-10007 Application for Pre-Need Determination of Eligibility for Burial in a VA National Cemetery
Death certificates
Documents verifying service
Benefits of using Direct Upload
Safely submit claims and evidence from any computer with an internet connection
Cost free - avoiding mail and/or fax charges
Submissions are tracked real time and copies are saved
How to get started
Visit AccessVA at https://eauth.va.gov/accessva/ to submit your information using Direct Upload. You will be instructed to register during your first sign-on attempt. Select the appropriate User Type button on the User Identification screen: Veteran, Veteran Family Member, or VSO/VA Business Partner (e.g., officer, attorney, or claims agent). Once your registration is complete, you will be able to upload your documents electronically online using Direct Upload.