Burial Costs and Arrangements

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Eligible veterans and their eligible dependents receive a burial plot, a grave liner, headstone and interment services at no expense. Other expenses incurred in the preparation or transportation of the remains, including funeral costs, are borne by the veteran’s next-of-kin, legal representative or estate.

National Guard members, reserve member​, and eligible dependents will be buried after payment of the following fees:

  • $1,002, this cost is inclusive of casketed and cremated interments, liner cost for dependent spouse(s) or children, and perpetual care
  • $1,002, will be charged for veterans, National Guard members, Reservists, dependent spouse(s) or children for disinterments or re-interments of casketed or cremated remains

This burial charge will be equal to the burial plot allowance provided by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs for burial of a veteran in a State Veterans’ Cemetery. The cost is subject to change yearly (October 1) when the burial plot allowance could be adjusted by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

The DVMF Cemetery Program requires only one check for burial and accepts the following forms of payment for opening/closing and liners: funeral home/mortuary business check, cashier’s check, or money order. Checks and money orders should be made payable to Maryland Department of Veterans and Military Families prior to interment.

Pre-Interment Planning

You can apply ahead of time to be buried in a Maryland state veterans cemetery by filling out a Pre-Interment Program application. This will determine your initial eligibility for burial before you pass away. However, getting pre-approved does not guarantee final approval; the Maryland Department of Veterans Affairs (DVMF) will make a final decision at the time of death.

To apply, complete the pre-interment application and mail it to the desired cemetery location as indicated on the form.

Burial Scheduling

The family of the deceased (or a funeral director acting on their behalf) should contact the State Veterans Cemetery to confirm burial eligibility and arrange a date and time. They should provide the funeral director with a copy of the service member’s military discharge documents.   Additional documentation may be required prior to scheduling for (but not limited to) spouses, dependent children, and service members who lived outside of Maryland at the time of death.
Each Maryland State Veterans Cemetery has a committal shelter where brief services (no more than 20 minutes) are held. Families may follow the remains to the gravesite and observe from a safe distance at the roadside.
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Assignment of Grave Sites

One grave site will be assigned for the burial of an eligible veteran/National Guard member/Reservist and immediate family. If a family member is buried, interment will be either above or below the veteran’s site. Grave sites are assigned based on availability at the cemetery closest to the individual’s home when the interment request is received and after eligibility is confirmed.

Sites may not be reserved in advance. However, if at the time of death it’s established that a surviving spouse is entitled to a separate plot, the Department may approve adjoining the two sites.

​Military Funeral Honors​

The Maryland National Guard Honor Guard (MDNGHG) offers Military Funeral Honors to veterans who served in the U.S. Armed Forces and were separated with a discharge other than Dishonorable. For reservist burials, families should contact their respective service to verify eligibility and coordinate honors.

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Visit the Maryland National Guard Honor Guard​ for more information. For questions, call (667) 296-3440.

Note: The Maryland Department of Veterans and Military Families, including its employees or representatives, cannot assume responsibility for military honors. Survivors should address their request to the funeral director.

Committal Services

On the day of interment, families have access to the cemetery’s committal shelter for up to 20 minutes to conduct committal services and military honors. Funerary flowers are placed at designated spots outside the shelter and then moved to the gravesite by staff. Open-casket and graveside services are not permitted, and no food or drink is allowed inside the shelter.

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Burial Items

Over 128​,000 interments have been conducted in Maryland State Veterans Cemeteries. The Department cannot adequately police all grave sites to deter theft and cannot be responsible for stolen or missing floral items. It is recommended that family members or friends avoid placing expensive, elaborate, floral tributes that may invite theft on grave sites.

Small United States flags will be placed on graves by Department personnel at least one day preceding Memorial Day (the date of State observance) and will be removed the day following the holiday, weather permitting. Flags are not permitted on graves at any other time.

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An interment receptacle refers to either a burial vault or liner made of concrete, designed to protect the casket from water and other environmental factors.


Maryland law mandates the use of an interment receptacle for all casket burials in a Maryland State Veterans Cemetery. The State provides a burial liner at no cost for the casket remains of each eligible veteran and their eligible dependent.


If a grave liner larger than the standard size is required for the burial of an eligible family member, National Guard member, or Reservist, it is the responsibility of the deceased’s next-of-kin or their representative to purchase, deliver, and install the liner.


Should a burial vault be preferred, arrangements for its delivery and installation must be made separately by the veteran, their survivors, or legal representative. The cost of the vault and its installation is borne by the veteran or their survivors or legal representative.


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The remains of a veteran, National Guard member, Reservist, or a member of their immediate family must arrive at the cemetery in a casket that is suitable for viewing in a funeral home. The burial of shipping containers, wooden boxes, or similar containers is not allowed.


Once the casket has been brought into the State Veterans Cemetery, it cannot be opened or stored in any cemetery building while waiting for final eligibility confirmation. Any viewings of the remains must take place at a funeral home or another location outside the State Veterans Cemetery.


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A permanent grave marker with an appropriate inscription will be provided for each veteran or eligible dependent by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Every grave in a State Veterans Cemetery is marked with a single granite marker, which includes information about the veteran and, when applicable, other eligible family members interred.


The standard marker used in a State Veterans Cemetery is a flat granite marker. The use of any other type of marker is not allowed.


On the day of burial, the Superintendent of the Veterans Cemetery will submit an application for the grave marker. The cemetery will install and maintain the marker at no cost to the veteran or their estate. Headstones are typically received from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs within six months after burial. Please note that the DVMF has no control over how quickly headstones are delivered.


The DVMF is not responsible for any damage to or destruction of a grave marker caused by anyone other than cemetery employees assigned by the Department. In line with U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs policy, government-provided headstones and markers remain the property of the United States, and no alterations to them are permitted. Additionally, flower vases and other objects may not be attached to government markers.


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Other than on the day of burial, the placement of floral items and flags is subject to the following conditions:

  • Fresh cut flowers may be placed on graves at any time in metal or plastic containers. Glass containers are not permitted.
  • Flowers and temporary containers will be removed from graves as soon as bouquets become unsightly. ​During the growing season, when grass requires cutting, both fresh flowers and those that have become unsightly will be removed from graves prior to grounds maintenance.
  • Artificial flowers and wreaths may be placed on graves from November 1 through March 31 only.
  • Wreaths and seasonal displays are permitted only from December 1 through January 31. Any seasonal displays remaining on graves as of February 1st will be removed and discarded. It is recommended that family members and friends retrieve valuable floral arrangements before that date to avoid disappointment.
  • With the exception of Christmas, potted plants and holiday wreaths may be placed on graves 10 days before and 10 days after Easter Sunday and Memorial Day (the date of State observance). Potted plants and wreaths are not permitted on graves at any other time.
  • Permanent plantings, statues, vigil lights, glass objects, commemorative and religious items are not permitted on graves. All unauthorized items will be removed and discarded by cemetery personnel.
  • Floral items and seasonal or other decorations may not be secured or placed on trees, shrubs or other appurtenances within the cemetery.

Over 128​,000 interments have been conducted in Maryland State Veterans Cemeteries. The Department cannot adequately police all grave sites to deter theft and cannot be responsible for stolen or missing floral items. It is recommended that family members or friends avoid placing expensive, elaborate, floral tributes that may invite theft on grave sites.

Small United States flags will be placed on graves by Department personnel at least one day preceding Memorial Day (the date of State observance) and will be removed the day following the holiday, weather permitting. Flags are not permitted on graves at any other time.


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