Whether you’re a veteran planning your own funeral or a family member of a deceased veteran, there are a few important things to know when ordering a veterans headstone.

While the Department of Veterans Affairs does provide free headstones, markers and medallions for eligible deceased veterans, there are some criteria that must be met.

  • Eligible veterans who died on or after November 1, 1990 may receive a military headstone or marker, regardless of whether their grave is already marked by a private marker.
  • Eligible veterans who died before November 1, 1990 and whose grave is unmarked may receive a military headstone or marker.
  • Memorial military headstones or markers are available for veterans who remains have not been recovered or identified, were buried at sea, donated to science, or cremated and the remains scattered.
  • Medallions are available to eligible veterans if preferred over a headstone or marker.

How does a veteran’s family prove eligibility?

Answer: By submitting a CLAIM FOR STANDARD GOVERNMENT HEADSTONE OR MARKER (Form 40-1330) to the VA, along with a death certificate and a copy of the veteran’s DD-214 Form.

But without a DD-214 Form, ordering a Veterans Headstone can turn into a lengthy process . . .

That’s why there’s DD214Direct.com , the premier military records retrieval firm in the U.S. Every day we help scores of veterans and their families obtain their DD-214s online, easily and expeditiously, in typically far less time than the National Archives’ eVetRecs service, which requires users to print out forms, mail them in and then wait for return mail.

Our three-tiered pricing lets you decide just how quickly you need your records.

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Let’s face it, there are moments in life when time and peace of mind are particularly valuable. Why not let the experts at DD214Direct.com eliminate your wait time and worry?