Veterans Cemetery Grants

The Veterans Affairs (VA) has provided grants amounting to over $1 billion to establish, expand, improve, operate, and uphold 122 Veterans cemeteries. These cemeteries are located across 49 states, different territories including tribal trust lands, Guam, and Saipan. In 2022, these grant-funded state Cemeteries facilitated more than 45,000 interments.

These grants are designated for Veterans cemeteries owned and operated by state, territory or tribal government on trust land only. Private organisations, counties, cities, and other government agencies aren't eligible. The VA provides up to 100% of the development cost for accepted projects and can also provide operating equipment for establishment of new cemeteries. However, the VA does not cover the cost of land acquisition.

The cemeteries funded through the program must adhere to the standards and guidelines prescribed by the VA for site selection, planning, and construction. They must also comply with the Build America, Buy America Act (BABAA) requirements that stipulate usage of materials - all iron, steel, manufactured products, and construction materials - produced in the U.S. Cemeteries must confirm that they will use the grant funds for projects meeting the BABAA’s domestic content procurement preferences.

These cemeteries are to be used exclusively for the burial of Veterans and their eligible family members. A recent amendment in the law also permits these cemeteries to inter the entities defined in 38 U.S.C. 2408(i)(2), who don’t qualify for burial in a VA National Cemetery. More about this development can be found on the NCA Notices webpage.

The administration, operation, and maintenance of a VA-backed state cemetery is the responsibility of the state, territory, or tribal government. The VA does provide a "plot allowance" reimbursement of up to $828 to the states for costs incurred in the burial of certain eligible Veterans.