What I have learned in my 20 years of funeral service is that our Veteran's are not cared for as they deserve to be, including in death.

This is what the military offers to our deceased Veterans.

If you’re a veteran and your discharge was not dishonorable, you are probably eligible for burial in a national veterans cemetery. 

If you’re buried in a private cemetery, your family may be entitled to a veteran’s burial allowance. ($2000)

You can receive military funeral honors and memorial items whether you’re interred in a veterans cemetery or a private one.

Who is Eligible for Interment?

Eligibility for interment in the Washington State Veterans Cemetery mirrors National Veterans Cemetery eligibility requirements.

In general:

• All U.S. Veterans discharged under conditions other than dishonorable;

• Spouses;

• Dependent Children.

The Washington State Veterans Cemetery serves veterans and other eligible individuals from Washington and other States.

More information on the National Veterans Cemetery Eligibility Requirements is available at: http://www.cem.va.gov/cem/bbene/eligible.asp or by contacting a WDVA Benefits Specialist directly at 1- 800-562-2308.

What is the Application for Interment?

The “Application for Interment” form is submitted when the decedent (Veteran or eligible Spouse/Dependent Child) is to be interred in the Veterans Cemetery. This form provides the Cemetery with the necessary contact information required to schedule interment. If not already pre-registered, a Form DD-214 or equivalent discharge document must accompany the application form to establish eligibility. Likewise, if not already pre-registered, spousal interments require a Marriage Certificate and Dependent Child interments require proof of dependency. If the family is unsure if the Veteran or eligible spouse has been pre-registered, please call the Cemetery Office.

Please be aware that the Cemetery cannot proceed with interment scheduling without proof of eligibility.

For assistance in determining eligibility, please call 509-299-6280 extension 0.

What is the Cost for Burial in the State Veterans Cemetery?

Interment fees for eligible veterans are paid by the Department of Veterans Affairs.

$300 will be collected for interment of eligible spouses or eligible dependent children.

Veterans who are eligible for interment are also eligible for a Federal VA Plot Allowance.

The State Veterans Cemetery Office applies for and collects this plot allowance.

Neither the State nor the Federal VA pay for other funeral expenses, such as preparation.

These fees are paid by the Veteran’s family or estate.

Some Veterans or their widows/widowers are eligible for Federal VA benefits in addition to the plot allowance.

To determine whether the veteran or family member is eligible for additional benefits, please call 1-800-562-2308.

What Type of Interment Sites and Markers are Available?

The State Veterans Cemetery provides for in-ground casket burial sites and cremation interments.

For cremation interments the following options are available: 

 A columbarium niche that includes an inscribed, granite marker; 

An in-ground cremation inurnment that includes an upright inscribed, granite marker; 

A scattering garden with a flush-to-ground inscribed granite memorial marker.

Can I Select my Own Interment Site?

No. Families may choose the interment type; however grave/columbarium site selection is made by the Cemetery.

Normally, the grave/columbarium sites are assigned chronologically.

What is the cost for a Headstone or Marker?

The Veterans Cemetery secures headstones and markers from the Federal VA.

There is no cost to the family.

“In Memory of” markers are also available in most instances to Veterans whose ashes have been scattered elsewhere and have yet to be memorialized in a cemetery.

For individuals interred in private cemeteries funeral homes typically assist with the ordering of Veteran headstones and markers.

How do I Schedule an Interment and Service?

Interments and services are scheduled through the Cemetery Office or by calling 509-299-6280.

Committal services are conducted Monday through Friday between the hours of 9:00 am and 3:00 pm.

Services are held in the Committal Shelter. (Veterans Cemeteries do not have a chapel.) The Committal Shelter will be designed to provide a place of respectful remembrance. The Shelter provides limited protection from inclement weather, seating for the immediate family and ample standing room for others. (Because of safety concerns, the Cemetery does not permit graveside services.)

Can I Pre-Register?

Yes. Pre-registration allows a Veteran, Spouse or Dependent Child to establish in advance, eligibility for interment in the Washington State Veterans Cemetery. Documentation such as a Form DD-214 for veterans and a marriage license for spouses is required during the pre-registration process. If the veteran is deceased and the surviving spouse is preregistering, the death certificate of the veteran is required. Individuals who pre-register are provided with a letter confirming their eligibility and are advised to file it with their other important documents. The letter includes a confirmation number which allows the Cemetery Office to easily access the eligibility file. Pre-registering offers a way for a veteran or family member to make final arrangements; however we understand that circumstances may change and pre-registering does not override other decisions made as a result of estate planning or Next-of-Kin authorizations. The actual Application for Interment is not submitted until the eligible Veteran, Spouse, or Dependent Child is to be interred.

How do I Request Military Honors?

The Cemetery Office coordinates all Military Honors for those Veterans interred in the Cemetery. Honors include the playing of Taps, folding of the flag, and its presentation to the next-of-kin. An Honor Guard detail of at least two members of the Armed Services are provided for the interment service of the eligible Veteran. For Veterans who retired from the military, a rifle volley may also be provided. Where Can I Request a Flag? Flags for presentation to the Next-of-Kin during services at the Veterans Cemetery should be provided by the Funeral Home. Flags can also be secured from designated US Post Offices or VA Regional Offices by filling out VA Form 21-2008, Application for United States Flag for Burial Purposes.

This form is available at: http://www.cem.va.gov/cem/burial_benefits/burial_flags.asp or by calling 1-800-562-2308.