Procurement of Headstones and Markers and/or Presidential Memorial Certificates (64.202)
Program
64.202 Procurement of Headstones and Markers and/or Presidential Memorial Certificates
Federal Agency
NATIONAL CEMETERY ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
Authorization
National Cemeteries Act of 1973; 38 U.S.C. 2306, 2403 and 2404(a)(b)(c); Veterans' Disability Compensation and Survivors' Benefits Act of 1978, Section 303(b); Public Laws 93-43, 95-479, 95-476, and 102-547; 38 U.S.C. 313(a), 38 U.S.C. 112.
Program Number
64.202
Last Known Status
Active
Objectives
To provide headstones and markers to memorialize veterans, all persons, including Reservists and National Guard members with 20 years of qualifying service, who are entitled to retired pay or would be entitled, if at least 60 years of age, under Chapter 67, title 10, United States Code, and their eligible dependents, in national, post and State veterans cemeteries and, upon receipt of application, for the memorialization of eligible veterans only in private cemeteries. Memorialization commemorates any veteran whose remains have not been recovered or identified, were buried at sea, donated to science, or cremated and scattered without interment. To provide Presidential Memorial Certificates to honor the memory of honorably discharged, deceased veterans.
Types of Assistance
Direct Payments for Specified Use; Provision of Specialized Services.
Uses and Use Restrictions
For deaths occurring before December 27, 2001, government-furnished headstones and markers may be provided only for the unmarked graves of eligible veterans. For those that die on or after December 27, 2001, government-furnished headstones and markers are provided for the grave of eligible veterans regardless if the grave is already marked with a privately purchased headstone. Benefits include: procurement of Government headstones and markers; authorized inscription; costs of shipment to destination; installation and maintenance costs in national, State and post cemeteries; and, replacements when headstones and markers are severely damaged, when inscriptions are incorrect, or when inscriptions have become illegible. All government-furnished memorial headstones or markers must be placed in a cemetery.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Eligibility
When burial or memorialization is in a private cemetery, the applicant is normally the next of kin. In the absence of relatives, the applicant need not be a member of the deceased's family. The applicant's signature on VA Form 40-1330, "Application for Standard Government Headstone or Marker for Installation in a Private or State Veterans Cemetery," certifies all information on the application is correct, and the type of headstone or marker requested is permitted by the cemetery on the grave of the veteran, or for memorialization in an appropriate are of the cemetery. If a burial or memorialization plot is in a national cemetery or State veterans cemetery, the Cemetery Director orders the headstone or marker, after completion of the interment in the cemetery, or upon need for replacement.
Beneficiary Eligibility
Any deceased veteran of wartime or peacetime service who was discharged under conditions other than dishonorable. Service after September 7, 1980 for enlisted personnel and October 16, 1981 for commissioned officers, must be for a minimum of 24 months or the period for which ordered or be completed under special circumstances; for example, death on active duty, or any active duty during the Persian Gulf War qualifies for this benefit. In addition, members of the Reserve and the Army and Air National Guard who die while performing, or as a result of performing, active duty for training or are entitled to retirement pay subsequent to October 27, 1992; all persons, including Reservists and National Guard members having 20 years of qualifying service for the purpose of receiving retired pay or are eligible for retired pay, but are under 60 years of age; Commissioned officers of the Public Health Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; Merchant Mariners and certain other categories of individuals who participated in wartime activities whose service has been classified as active duty by the Secretary of the Air Force in accordance with Public Law 95-202 may also be eligible. Spouses and certain other dependents of those eligible for a headstone or marker and buried in a national, State or post cemetery are also eligible.
Credentials/Documentation
Copy of the veteran's Report of Separation (DD 214) or equivalent, or other official military documents. In addition, for a memorial headstone or marker a statement attesting to the disposition of the remains is required.
Application and Award Process
Preapplication Coordination
If the headstone or marker is to be placed in a nonfederal cemetery, the approval of the cemetery operator must be secured. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.
Application Procedure
Applicant must complete VA Form 40-1330, Application for Standard Government Headstone or Marker, in accordance with the General Information and instructions attached to the application and submit it to the Department of Veterans Affairs. Submission to the VA is preferred by toll free fax at 1-800-455- 7143. It may also be mailed to: Director, Memorial Programs Service (403A), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20420-0001. Detailed instructions for submitting the application can be referenced at the official website for the National Cemetery Administration at www.cem.va.gov. Applications are also available at this website, or they can be obtained at any VA Regional Office, State and County Veterans Service Office, and most funeral homes. Xerographic copies with original signatures of applicant, consignee and cemetery officials are acceptable. Letters requesting Presidential Memorial Certificates may be mailed to Memorial Programs Service (403A), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20420-0001. Requests for PMCs may also be made by telephone to (202) 565-4259.
Award Procedure
Not applicable.
Deadlines
None.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
Appeals
Not applicable.
Renewals
Not applicable.
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
Not applicable.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
Not applicable.
Post Assistance Requirements
Reports
Not applicable.
Audits
Not applicable.
Records
Not applicable.
Program Accomplishments
In fiscal year 2001, 327,484 applications were processed for standard government headstones and markers. It is estimated that the total applications processed will be 347,300 in fiscal year 2002, and 349,400 in fiscal year 2003. Procurement of headstones or markers in fiscal year 2001 was 304,296, and estimates are 334,600 in fiscal year 2002, and 333,700 in fiscal year 2003. In fiscal year 2001, 327,561 Presidential Memorial Certificates were issued. It is estimated that 341,200 will be issued in fiscal year 2002, and 335,700 in fiscal year 2003.
Financial Information
Account Identification
36-0155-0-1-701 (Benefits); 36-0129-0-1-705 (Salaries and Expenses).
Obligations
(Benefits) FY 02 $27,543,000; FY 03 est $35,068,000; and FY 04 est $35,785,000. (Salaries and Expenses) FY 02 $3,429,000; FY 02 est $3,770,000; and FY 04 est $4,151,000.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
Not applicable.
Regulations, Guidelines and Literature
"Application for Standard Government Headstone or Marker" (VA Form 40-1330), contains instructions for completing the form, and illustrations of the types of headstones and markers. It is available at Department of Veterans Affairs Regional Offices at no charge. Presidential Memorial Certificates may be requested through Department of Veterans Affairs Regional Offices and national cemeteries.
Related Programs
64.101, Burial Expenses Allowance for Veterans.
Information Contacts
Regional or Local Office
Memorial Programs Service Processing Sites: MPS Processing Sites are located at: Ft. Leavenworth National Cemetery, 395 Biddle Boulevard, Ft. Leavenworth, KS 66027-2307. Toll-free telephone: 1-888-460-9709. Fax: (913) 758-1839. Nashville National Cemetery, 1420 Gallatin Road South, Madison, TN 37115-4619. Toll-free telephone: 1-888-367-1330. Fax: (615) 736-2840. Lebanon VA Medical Center, 1700 South Lincoln Avenue, Building #27, Lebanon, PA 17042. Toll-free telephone: 1-888-574-9107. Fax: (717) 270-9428.
Headquarters Office
Director, Memorial Programs Service (403), National Cemetery Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20420-0001. Contact: David K. Schettler. Telephone: (202) 501-3100. Program Support Unit; issues relating to headstone and marker: Contractor's telephone number: (202) 501-3027. Applicant Assistance; shipment tracer information; problems with shipments arriving C.O.D.; eligibility matters; inscription matters; and, problems relating to quality of headstones and markers telephone: 1-800-697-6947. For questions concerning Presidential Memorial Certificates telephone: (202) 565-4259.
Web Site Address
Examples of Funded Projects
Not applicable.
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
Not applicable.
