{"id":121703,"date":"2023-01-24T22:42:09","date_gmt":"2023-01-24T22:42:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/militarytimes\/uncategorized\/2023\/01\/24\/va-officials-work-to-raise-awareness-of-cemetery-burial-services\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T14:47:15","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T14:47:15","slug":"va-officials-work-to-raise-awareness-of-cemetery-burial-services","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/militarytimes\/veterans\/2023\/01\/24\/va-officials-work-to-raise-awareness-of-cemetery-burial-services\/","title":{"rendered":"VA officials work to raise awareness of cemetery, burial services"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Veterans Affairs officials<\/a> want to remind vets that some department benefits extend not only for the rest of their lives, but also after they pass away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Only about 20% of veterans who died last year were buried free of charge in department or state-run veterans cemeteries<\/a>. Less than half of individuals eligible for some type of burial or gravesite financial assistance took advantage of the benefit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI want even more veterans and family members to know about and take advantage of the final benefits a veteran earns for their service,\u201d said Matthew Quinn, under secretary for memorial affairs at the National Cemetery Administration<\/a>, in a press event on Tuesday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThey have the option to choose VA for their final wishes. And we will take care of them and their loved ones in a manner that mirrors their own dedicated service and devotion to our nation, in perpetuity.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\t