{"id":71342,"date":"2024-11-26T19:06:22","date_gmt":"2024-11-26T19:06:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/marinecorpstimes\/uncategorized\/2024\/11\/26\/vets-can-opt-for-green-burials-at-va-cemeteries-through-new-pilot\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T16:39:58","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T16:39:58","slug":"vets-can-opt-for-green-burials-at-va-cemeteries-through-new-pilot","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/marinecorpstimes\/veterans\/2024\/11\/26\/vets-can-opt-for-green-burials-at-va-cemeteries-through-new-pilot\/","title":{"rendered":"Vets can opt for \u2018green\u2019 burials at VA cemeteries through new pilot"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Veterans Affairs officials<\/a> on Tuesday launched a new pilot program allowing \u201cgreen\u201d burials at three department national cemeteries in an effort to minimize the environmental impact<\/a> of traditional interments of veterans and their family members.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The sites \u2014 with National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona in Phoenix, Pikes Peak National Cemetery in Colorado, and Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell \u2014 will provide special sections where individuals\u2019 remains can be wrapped in biodegradable materials and buried with a minimal environmental footprint.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Remains interred in a green burial section of a VA cemetery must be prepared for burial without use of chemicals or embalming fluids. Families eligible for burials at the three sites can begin requesting the environmentally friendly option immediately.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Officials hope to learn from the initial burials for expansion to other sites in the future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis pilot reflects our commitment to understand and address the emerging burial preferences of Veterans and their loved ones,\u201d acting Under Secretary for Memorial Affairs Ronald Walters said in a statement announcing the pilot.<\/p>\n\n\n\t