There are numerous concerns about the National Cemetery Administration’s position (NCA). What is the main goal of the NCA? What kind of services do they offer? How do they help older people and their families? We hope to be able to answer some of your queries.

The National Cemetery Administration is an agency of the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). It was created to offer burial grounds for soldiers and qualifying family members of veterans. National cemeteries are kept as national shrines in memory of people buried or remembered there.

We’ll explore some of the other duties of the NCA and how they serve our country’s veterans and their families. So read on to learn more about this important organization!

Who Runs National Cemeteries?

The US Department of Veterans Affairs oversees the National Cemetery Administration. The National Cemetery Administration is dedicated to preserving dignity and honor for all veterans and their families.

These sites serve as a reminder of the sacrifices made by veterans throughout our history and are maintained as national shrines in their honor. At National Cemeteries, you will find monuments or memorials to commemorate special occasions or individuals that pridefully served our nation. You can also visit gravesites where your loved ones have been laid to rest – these sites are sacred places that should be treated with respect.

The National Cemetery Administration is committed to honoring and respecting the veterans serving our country and ensuring their gravesites remain sacred and distinguished. VA National Cemeteries provide a final resting place of dignity for those who have sacrificed so much for our nation.

On June 17, 2021, President Biden nominated the Honorable Matthew T. Quinn to serve as the 7th Under Secretary for Memorial Affairs, and he was approved by the Senate shortly after. He oversees 155 VA national cemeteries as well as 121 VA grant-funded state and tribal Veteran graves. Under his leadership, National Cemetery Administration will continue to honor and respect veterans by providing a final resting place of dignity.

Does the VA Pay for Caskets?

Except for those who die while on active duty, the VA and individual branches of the military do not provide free caskets for deceased veterans. The VA does not cover funeral home or cremation provider fees and must be paid out of pocket. Some funeral establishments offer discounted caskets and other services to members of veterans organizations such as the American Legion or Veterans of Foreign Wars.

In addition, the VA does provide a burial allowance for veterans who died from service-related disabilities, as well as a plot or interment allowance when available. Eligible veterans may also receive reimbursement of up to $300 for burial expenses if they were not entitled to receive either of these allowances.

What is the Largest National Cemetery in the United States?

Riverside National Cemetery is located in Riverside, CA. With 1,250 acres (510 ha) of land, the cemetery is the largest one managed by the National Cemetery Administration. This cemetery provides enough space for both casketed and cremated bodies.

The park was created in 1976 when 740 acres were moved from March Air Force Base. The Army opened Camp William G. Haan Cemetery on November 11, 1978, and has remained open for burials ever since. The Air Force donated an additional 181 acres to the cemetery in 2003.

At Riverside National Cemetery, Veterans and their eligible family members are honored with a variety of burial options. It serves as a reminder of the heroic actions, service, and sacrifice of the men and women who have served this country with courage and dedication. Interments include:

• Casketed remains.
• Cremated remains.
• In-ground burials of full body or ashes.
• Columbaria niches for the interment of cremated remains.

Will Arlington Run Out of Space?

Within twenty-five years, the ANC cemetery will be full and unable to accommodate more veterans. Significant expansion to ANC’s capacity can only happen through either change in eligibility criteria or expanding the cemetery’s geographic footprint. With 25 to 30 military funerals happening each day, the final resting place for 400,000 service members and their families is rapidly running out of space.

What is the Busiest National Cemetery?

The National Cemetery of Arlington in Virginia is the busiest, having served as a burial site for many members of the military and their families since 1864. This National Cemetery honors all veterans who have served or are serving our country by providing them with dignified burials and memorial services at the highest standards of excellence. The National Cemetery Administration proudly continues to provide these sacred spaces to honor those who have sacrificed so much for our freedom today. We thank you for your service!

National Cemetery Administration Phone Number

The National Cemetery Scheduling Office can be contacted at 800-535-1117 (TTY: 711) to find available burial times for each cemetery. Their operating hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time, and Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., also in the Eastern Time zone. In addition, the following holidays are observed by the National Cemetery Scheduling Office: the Fourth of July, Memorial Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year’s.

How Do I Arrange a Burial for a Veteran or Other Family Member?

Please send your discharge documents to the National Cemetery Scheduling Office at 866-900-6417 if you want to be buried in a national cemetery. Please email papers to NCA.Scheduling@va.gov with the requesting person’s name in the subject line for burial benefits. Experts at the National Cemetery Administration are committed to delivering the greatest quality interment services to Veterans and their families. National cemeteries provide a beautiful, honorable resting place for all those who have served our country throughout our history. We appreciate your service and join you in remembering those we love.