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Key points
- NCA operates VA-managed national cemeteries and supports VA grant-funded state and tribal Veterans cemeteries; its locator currently lists 158 VA-managed and 125 grant-funded cemeteries, so check the official locator for changing counts.[1]
- Eligible Veterans and certain family members may receive burial in a VA national cemetery and memorial benefits, subject to current eligibility rules.[1]
- VA burial allowances, plot or interment allowances, and transportation reimbursement depend on the Veteran's circumstances and the date of death; do not rely on a fixed dollar amount.[2]
- Arlington National Cemetery is administered by the U.S. Army and is distinct from NCA-managed cemeteries.[3]
The National Cemetery Administration is the part of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs that cares for VA national cemeteries and helps provide dignified burial and memorial benefits. NCA preserves these sites as national shrines, supports eligible Veterans and family members, and provides tools for planning, locating graves, and arranging a burial.[1]
What does the National Cemetery Administration do?
NCA manages VA national cemeteries, maintains gravesites and memorial areas, and provides burial and memorial services for eligible Veterans, spouses, and dependent family members. It also administers the Veterans Legacy Memorial and offers a cemetery locator, pre-need eligibility decisions, headstones or markers, burial flags, and Presidential Memorial Certificates.[1]
NCA's official locator currently describes 158 VA-managed and 125 VA grant-funded cemeteries. Counts and program details can change, so use the official NCA site and locator for current information rather than treating a published count as permanent.[1]
Who may be buried in a VA national cemetery?
Eligibility depends on military service, discharge status, and the relationship of a family member to the Veteran. Veterans, spouses, and dependent family members can apply for a pre-need eligibility determination. If the Veteran has already died, the National Cemetery Scheduling Office can determine eligibility when you request a burial.[1][4]
A pre-need decision letter can help a family plan, but it does not reserve a particular cemetery or gravesite. Eligibility may be reviewed again at the time of death because laws and circumstances can change.[1]
Does VA pay for a casket or funeral?
VA generally does not provide a casket at no charge for every Veteran, and burial or funeral costs depend on eligibility and circumstances. VA does have a separate Casket and Urn Program for eligible unclaimed Veteran remains, subject to specific conditions and current allowance rates.[5]
VA burial benefits are fact-specific and change over time. Eligible survivors or responsible parties may qualify for a service-connected or non-service-connected burial allowance, a plot or interment allowance, and in some cases transportation reimbursement. See VA's current rates and eligibility requirements; do not rely on a fixed amount such as the old $300 figure.[2]
What is the largest NCA-managed cemetery?
VA identifies Riverside National Cemetery in California as the largest and busiest cemetery managed by NCA. Its history page says the cemetery was established in 1976 through the transfer of 740 acres from March Air Force Base, opened for burials in 1978, and later received an additional 181 acres.[6]
Is Arlington National Cemetery part of NCA?
No. Arlington National Cemetery is administered by the U.S. Army, so it is distinct from VA's National Cemetery Administration. That distinction matters: information about Arlington's eligibility, scheduling, capacity, or administration should come from Arlington's official site, not be presented as an NCA rule.[3]
How do I schedule a burial?
- Gather discharge documents Have the Veteran's DD214 or other discharge documents available when possible. A funeral director can also help collect documents and plan the service.[4]
- Call the scheduling office Call the National Cemetery Scheduling Office at 800-535-1117 (TTY: 711). Current hours and holiday closures are posted on VA's schedule-a-burial page; the current page lists Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time.[4]
- Confirm the burial details Discuss the preferred cemetery, casket or cremation, memorial type, and any burial flag or Presidential Memorial Certificate. Eligibility and available times must be confirmed by VA.[4]
For more official information, start with VA's Schedule a burial page and the NCA cemetery locator. For related education, you can also read our Veterans Medicare FAQ or VA health care and Medicare. Veterans Advantage Financial® is an independent insurance agency, not part of or endorsed by VA, NCA, Medicare, CMS, Social Security, TRICARE, or any government agency.
Common questions
What is the main purpose of the National Cemetery Administration?
NCA honors Veterans and eligible family members by managing VA national cemeteries, preserving gravesites and memorial spaces, and providing burial and memorial benefits and services.[1]
Does VA pay for a Veteran's funeral or casket?
Not automatically. Burial benefits and allowances depend on eligibility and circumstances. VA's separate Casket and Urn Program is for eligible unclaimed Veteran remains, not every Veteran.[2][5]
Is Arlington National Cemetery managed by NCA?
No. Arlington National Cemetery is administered by the U.S. Army. It is distinct from cemeteries managed by VA's National Cemetery Administration.[3]
What number do I call to schedule a burial?
Call the National Cemetery Scheduling Office at 800-535-1117 (TTY: 711). Check VA's current schedule-a-burial page for hours and holiday closures.[4]
Sources
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, National Cemetery Administration. “National Cemetery Administration.” NCA.gov, last updated October 9, 2026. cem.va.gov
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. “Veterans burial allowance and transportation benefits.” VA.gov, last updated October 7, 2026. va.gov/burials-memorials/veterans-burial-allowance
- Arlington National Cemetery, U.S. Army. “Arlington National Cemetery.” Official website. arlingtoncemetery.mil
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. “Schedule a burial for a Veteran or family member.” VA.gov, last updated December 31, 2025. va.gov/burials-memorials/schedule-a-burial
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, National Cemetery Administration. “Information about Unclaimed Veteran Remains.” NCA.gov, last updated January 7, 2026. cem.va.gov/burial-memorial-benefits/unclaimed-Veteran-remains.asp
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, National Cemetery Administration. “Riverside National Cemetery.” NCA.gov. cem.va.gov/cems/nchp/riverside.asp
Sources checked October 11, 2026. Dollar amounts are for 2026 unless noted.
This is general education, not personal advice, and it isn’t a recommendation of any specific plan. Veterans Advantage Financial® is a licensed insurance agency, not affiliated with or endorsed by Medicare, Social Security, VA, TRICARE or any government agency. Plan availability, costs and benefits vary by plan, county and year. Check your own situation with the agency or plan before making changes.
Christopher Duncan
Christopher founded Veterans Advantage Financial® and has helped people with Medicare since 2006. He is a licensed insurance agent in all 50 states and DC (NPN 8613503). His dad, Wallace, is a Vietnam-era veteran.