Costs
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, Reservists, 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.
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.
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.
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.