Military & Veterans News

VA awards more than $44.5M in grants to state Veterans cemeteries

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Veterans Affair

WASHINGTON — Today, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ National Cemetery Administration awarded $44,553,338 in grants for the expansion and/or improvement of state Veterans’ cemeteries during fiscal year 2024. These grants help deliver timely and accessible burial and memorial services to Veterans.

The cemeteries receiving grants include California, Georgia, Maine, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Tennessee, and Washington. Veterans interred in grant-funded Veterans’ cemeteries receive the same burial and memorial benefits provided to Veterans in VA national cemeteries, at no cost. This benefit includes a gravesite, opening and closing of the grave, perpetual care, a government headstone or marker, a burial flag, and a Presidential Memorial Certificate.

“It is our duty to ensure America’s Veterans are honored for their service as they are laid to rest,” said Acting Under Secretary for Memorial Affairs Ronald Walters. “Partnering with states, tribes and territories allows us to better provide burial options closer to where Veterans and their families live.”

Since its inception in 1978, the Veterans Cemetery Grants Program has allocated more than 504 grants to 122 state, territorial, and Tribal Veterans’ cemeteries, and more than $1 billion in funding leading to more than 800,000 interments for Veterans. In FY 2024, these cemeteries and VA national cemeteries conducted nearly 185,000 interments combined.

Between these grant-funded cemeteries and VA’s national cemeteries, the department is now providing 94% of Veterans who reside in the United States with the option of burial in a VA or VA-funded cemetery within 75 miles of their homes.

Veterans interred in most VA-grant funded cemeteries are also memorialized on the Veterans Legacy Memorial site. This online program provides family, friends and others the tool to preserve their Veteran’s legacy by posting tributes, uploading images, and sharing their Veteran’s achievements, biographical information and historical documents.

Learn more about VA’s burial benefits and memorial services or watch this video.

###

Blog Tags:
Military and Veteran News

From Our Member Community

Paraplegic soldier talks with female therapist Discounts & Benefits Understanding Your VA Disability Compensation Benefits and How to File in 2026 Navigating military transition or managing long-term service-connected injuries can feel overwhelming, but securing the benefits you earned should never be a mystery. VA Disability Compensation provides monthly, tax-free financial support to Veterans who became sick or injured while serving in the military, or whose existing conditions were worsened by active service. This guide breaks down everything you need to know about eligibility, current pay adjustments, the PACT Act, and the step-by-step process to file a successful claim.
Scott Higgins Discounts & Benefits Real Savings. No Hassle: How WeSalute Can Boost Your Budget Annually As any active-duty service member, veteran, first responder, nurse, or medical professional will attest, every dollar saved matters. At WeSalute, we are dedicated to ensuring you and your family get the most out of the benefits you deserve. Our mission is to provide "A Real Thank You" that translates into tangible financial savings in your everyday life. You might be surprised just how much those savings can add up over a year.
colorful foliage Discounts & Benefits WeSalute Review: The Official 2026 Fall Foliage Travel Guide for Military, First Responder & Healthcare Families As the warmth of summer gives way to the crisp air of autumn and the holiday season still feels a comfortable distance away, a unique travel window opens. For those seeking a special getaway, autumn is prime time for leaf-peeping, harvest festivals, and scenic drives. Created for our entire community — including active duty military, veterans, first responders, nurses, and medical professionals — this official 2026 travel guide highlights top fall foliage destinations across the U.S., showing you how to maximize your savings using the all-new WeSalute Travel, premium hotel discounts, rental car perks, and specialized transportation benefits.
Scott Higgins Military & Veterans Life Scott's View: Honoring Our Sacred Anniversaries and the Legacy of Service As the days of August shorten and we look toward September, my thoughts always turn to reflection, history, and gratitude. This season is a deeply meaningful time for our country — a period marked by milestones that defined our nation's birth, secured global peace, and tested our national resolve in the modern era. Today, I want to step away from our regular platform updates to focus entirely on these critical anniversaries, honoring the generations of patriots who have kept us free.

Join Our Community.
 

Yes, Get Me Started

Already a member? Login now.