Nearly every state in the U.S. has a VA national cemetery—a military cemetery reserved for veterans, servicemembers, and in some cases family members such as spouses and children. After the Civil War, legislation was passed that allowed the president to purchase land that could be used specifically for military burial sites. Currently, there are 142 national cemeteries and 33 soldiers’ lots (smaller national cemeteries contained within larger public cemeteries) and monument sites throughout the United States and in Puerto Rico. The designated military burial sites are overseen by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) National Cemetery Administration as well as by the National Park Service.
What can I do to plan ahead for a VA cemetery burial?
Burial in a national cemetery is a distinct honor, so it is important for veterans and family members to plan ahead as much as possible. If you are still living, you can begin the application process by providing your Social Security number, date and place of birth, and your discharge papers—in most cases a DD214—showing your military status and service history. Surviving family members will also be asked for necessary personal information. If you don’t have a copy of your (or your loved one’s) DD214, the simplest and fastest way to obtain one is to work with an experienced expeditor like DD214Direct.com. We do the work for you so you can focus on taking care of your family, and in most cases we can deliver an email copy of your DD214 within three to 10 business days. (You can view our current retrieval timeline here.)
Do I need to provide DD214Direct with a copy of the death certificate?
In most cases, we do the work for you so you have less to worry about. We start by checking online for proof of death, typically using resources such as Ancestry and Legacy Tree. If we have exhausted all of our options and cannot find proof of death, we may need to contact you to request your loved one’s death certificate or obituary. If this is the case, you can either fax the document to us at 480.393.1925 or email it to [email protected]. If you prefer to send it via the U.S. Postal Service, call us at 800.891.9285 and we can provide a physical mailing address for you.
Veteran-owned DD214Direct can help you get the documents you need, when you need them.
Our cutting-edge technology platform and keen knowledge of government protocol and procedure allow us to deliver your documents faster than competitors. We physically stand in line at the records repository and manually coordinate your order, freeing up your time and easing your worries about whether or not you will get your DD214. Much like paying a small fee to have your taxes done by a professional, DD214Direct provides the service and convenience you’ve been hoping for, plus we make it a lot easier. Instead of having to download, print, sign and fax your document request form, you can submit your order directly through our website with the ease of e-signature technology from a desktop, laptop or mobile device. Once we locate your DD214, we will email you a copy immediately—a service not offered by the government. And tracking your request through us is simple, so you never have to worry about long hold times and inconclusive answers. Ready to get started? Click here to begin the order process.
