Title 38 — Veterans' BenefitsRelease 119-73
§2306 Headstones, markers, and burial receptacles
Title 38 › Part PART II— - GENERAL BENEFITS › Chapter CHAPTER 23— - BURIAL BENEFITS › § 2306
Summary
The Secretary of Veterans Affairs will provide, when asked and at U.S. expense, government headstones or markers for certain unmarked graves and memorials. This covers people buried in national or post cemeteries, people who are eligible for national cemetery burial (with exceptions in section 2402(a)(4), (5), and (6)), Civil War soldiers, certain people buried in State or tribal veterans’ cemeteries, and people entitled to retired pay under chapter 1223 of title 10 (or who would be but for being under 60). If an eligible person’s remains are unavailable, the Secretary will provide a memorial headstone or marker for placement in a reserved national cemetery area, a State or tribal veterans’ cemetery, or, for veterans, in a State, local, or private cemetery. “Remains unavailable” means not recovered or identified, buried at sea, donated to science, or cremated with ashes scattered. Veterans, spouses, and dependent children who die on or after November 11, 1998 may be eligible for memorial markers if the spouse or child’s death occurs before September 30, 2032. The Secretary may use materials like marble, granite, bronze, or slate if cost effective and, for national cemeteries, visually compatible. For private cemeteries, the Secretary will deliver a government headstone or marker on request, even if a private marker exists, and the requester must certify it will be placed at the grave (or as close as possible if placement is impracticable). The Secretary of the Army or the Secretary of the Interior will supply similar items for Arlington National Cemetery and national park cemeteries, respectively. A medallion may be provided instead of a full headstone for those who served on or after April 6, 1917. If a decedent is a Medal of Honor recipient (as awarded under sections 7271, 8291, or 9271 of title 10 or section 2732 of title 14), the Secretary will provide or replace a marker to show that honor. The Secretary may provide outer burial receptacles under rules set by the appropriate Secretary, and survivors may choose an alternate receptacle but may have to pay extra costs. If a veteran’s next of kin cannot be found and no other funds are available, the Secretary may provide a casket or urn for burial in a “covered cemetery” (national, State grant, or tribal grant cemeteries). The law also allows adding inscriptions for a surviving spouse or dependent child on existing government markers when feasible, but excludes persons listed in section 2411(b) from these benefits. “Veteran,” “surviving spouse,” and “eligible dependent child” are defined in the statute; “covered cemetery” and “tribal organization” are defined as well.
Full Legal Text
Title 38, §2306
Veterans' Benefits — Source: USLM XML via OLRC
(a)The Secretary shall furnish, when requested, appropriate Government headstones or markers at the expense of the United States for the unmarked graves of the following:
(1)Any individual buried in a national cemetery or in a post cemetery.
(2)Any individual eligible for burial in a national cemetery (but not buried there), except for those persons or classes of persons enumerated in section 2402(a)(4), (5), and (6) of this title.
(3)Soldiers of the Union and Confederate Armies of the Civil War.
(4)Any individual described in section 2402(a)(5) of this title who is buried in a veterans’ cemetery owned by a State or a veterans’ cemetery owned by a tribal organization or on land owned by or held in trust for a tribal organization.
(5)Any individual who at the time of death was entitled to retired pay under chapter 1223 of title 10 or would have been entitled to retired pay under that chapter but for the fact that the person was under 60 years of age.
(b)(1)The Secretary shall furnish, when requested, an appropriate memorial headstone or marker for the purpose of commemorating an eligible individual whose remains are unavailable. Such a headstone or marker shall be furnished for placement in a national cemetery area reserved for that purpose under section 2403 of this title, a veterans’ cemetery owned by a State, a veterans’ cemetery of a tribal organization or on land owned by or held in trust for a tribal organization, or, in the case of a veteran, in a State, local, or private cemetery.
(2)For purposes of paragraph (1), an eligible individual is any of the following:
(A)A veteran.
(B)An individual who dies on or after November 11, 1998, who is the spouse or surviving spouse of a veteran, or the spouse of a member of the Armed Forces serving on active duty under conditions other than dishonorable, as shown by a statement from a general court-martial convening authority, at the time of the spouse’s death if such death occurs before September 30, 2032.
(C)An individual who dies on or after November 11, 1998, who is an eligible dependent child of a veteran, or the eligible dependent child of a member of the Armed Forces serving on active duty under conditions other than dishonorable, as shown by a statement from a general court-martial convening authority, at the time of the child’s death if such death occurs before September 30, 2032.
(3)For purposes of paragraph (1), the remains of an individual shall be considered to be unavailable if the individual’s remains—
(A)have not been recovered or identified;
(B)were buried at sea, whether by the individual’s own choice or otherwise;
(C)were donated to science; or
(D)were cremated and the ashes scattered without interment of any portion of the ashes.
(4)For purposes of this subsection:
(A)The term “veteran” includes an individual who dies in the active military, naval, air, or space service.
(B)The term “surviving spouse” includes a surviving spouse who had a subsequent remarriage.
(5)For purposes of this section, the term “eligible dependent child” means a child—
(A)who is under 21 years of age, or under 23 years of age if pursuing a course of instruction at an approved educational institution; or
(B)who is unmarried and became permanently physically or mentally disabled and incapable of self-support before reaching 21 years of age, or before reaching 23 years of age if pursuing a course of instruction at an approved educational institution.
(c)A headstone or marker furnished under subsection (a), (b), or (d) of this section may be of any material, including but not limited to marble, granite, bronze, or slate, requested by the person entitled to request such headstone or marker if the material requested is determined by the Secretary (1) to be cost effective, and (2) in a case in which the headstone or marker is to be placed in a national cemetery, to be aesthetically compatible with the area of the cemetery in which it is to be placed.
(d)(1)The Secretary shall furnish, when requested, an appropriate Government headstone or marker at the expense of the United States for the grave of an individual described in paragraph (2) or (5) of subsection (a) who is buried in a private cemetery, notwithstanding that the grave is marked by a headstone or marker furnished at private expense. Such a headstone or marker may be furnished only if the individual making the request for the Government headstone or marker certifies to the Secretary that the headstone or marker will be placed on the grave for which the headstone or marker is requested, or, if placement on the grave is impossible or impracticable, as close as possible to the grave within the grounds of the cemetery in which the grave is located.
(2)Any headstone or marker furnished under this subsection shall be delivered by the Secretary directly to the cemetery where the grave is located or to a receiving agent for delivery to the cemetery.
(3)The headstone or marker furnished under this subsection shall be the headstone or marker selected by the individual making the request from among all the headstones and markers made available by the Government for selection.
(4)(A)In lieu of furnishing a headstone or marker under this subsection to a deceased individual described in subparagraph (B), the Secretary may furnish, upon request, a medallion or other device of a design determined by the Secretary to signify the deceased individual’s status as a veteran, to be attached to a headstone or marker furnished at private expense.
(B)A deceased individual described in this subsection is an individual who—
(i)served in the Armed Forces on or after April 6, 1917; and
(ii)is eligible for a headstone or marker furnished under paragraph (1) (or would be so eligible but for the date of the death of the individual).
(5)(A)In carrying out this subsection with respect to a deceased individual described in subparagraph (C), the Secretary shall furnish, upon request, a headstone or marker under paragraph (1) or a medallion under paragraph (4) that signifies the deceased’s status as a medal of honor recipient.
(B)If the Secretary furnished a headstone, marker, or medallion under paragraph (1) or (4) for a deceased individual described in subparagraph (C) that does not signify the deceased’s status as a medal of honor recipient, the Secretary shall, upon request, replace such headstone, marker, or medallion with a headstone, marker, or medallion, as the case may be, that so signifies the deceased’s status as a medal of honor recipient.
(C)A deceased individual described in this subparagraph is a deceased individual who—
(i)is eligible for a headstone or marker furnished under paragraph (1) or a medallion furnished under paragraph (4) (except that subparagraph (B)(i) of such paragraph shall not apply) (or would be so eligible for such headstone, marker, or medallion but for the date of the death of the individual); and
(ii)was awarded the medal of honor under section 7271, 8291, or 9271 of title 10 or section 2732 of title 14 (including posthumously).
(D)In this paragraph, the term “medal of honor recipient” means an individual who is awarded the medal of honor under section 7271, 8291, or 9271 of title 10 or section 2732 of title 14.
(e)(1)(A)The Secretary of Veterans Affairs may provide an outer burial receptacle for each new grave in an open cemetery under the control of the National Cemetery Administration, or in a cemetery that is the subject of a grant to a State or a tribal organization under section 2408 of this title, in which remains are interred in a casket.
(B)The Secretary of the Army may provide an outer burial receptacle for such a grave in the Arlington National Cemetery.
(C)The Secretary of the Interior may provide an outer burial receptacle for each such a grave in an open national cemetery administered by the National Park Service.
(2)(A)The use of outer burial receptacles in a cemetery under the control of the National Cemetery Administration or in a cemetery that is the subject of a grant to a State or a tribal organization under section 2408 of this title shall be in accordance with regulations or procedures approved by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
(B)The use of outer burial receptacles in Arlington National Cemetery shall be in accordance with regulations or procedures approved by the Secretary of the Army.
(C)The use of outer burial receptacles in a national cemetery administered by the National Park Service shall be in accordance with regulations or procedures approved by the Secretary of the Interior.
(3)Regulations or procedures under paragraph (2) may specify that—
(A)an outer burial receptacle other than a grave liner be provided in lieu of a grave liner at the election of the survivors of the interred veteran; and
(B)if an outer burial receptacle other than a grave liner is provided in lieu of a grave liner upon an election of such survivors, such survivors be required—
(i)to pay the amount by which the cost of the outer burial receptacle exceeds the cost of the grave liner that would otherwise have been provided in the absence of the election; and
(ii)to pay the amount of the administrative costs incurred by the Secretary (or the Secretary of the Army with respect to Arlington National Cemetery or the Secretary of the Interior with respect to a national cemetery administered by the National Park Service) in providing the outer burial receptacle in lieu of such grave liner.
(4)Regulations or procedures under paragraph (2) may provide for the use of a voucher system, or other system of reimbursement approved by the Secretary (or the Secretary of the Army with respect to Arlington National Cemetery or the Secretary of the Interior with respect to a national cemetery administered by the National Park Service), for payment for outer burial receptacles other than grave liners provided under such regulations or procedures.
(f)(1)The Secretary may furnish a casket or urn, of such quality as the Secretary considers appropriate for a dignified burial, for burial of a deceased veteran in a covered cemetery in any case in which the Secretary—
(A)is unable to identify the veteran’s next of kin, if any; and
(B)determines that sufficient resources for the furnishing of a casket or urn for such burial are not otherwise available.
(2)The term “covered cemetery” means any of the following:
(A)A national cemetery.
(B)A veterans’ cemetery of a State for which the Department has provided a grant under section 2408 of this title.
(C)A veterans’ cemetery of a tribal organization or on land owned by or held in trust for a tribal organization for which the Department has provided a grant under subsection (f) of such section.
(g)(1)When the Secretary has furnished a headstone or marker under subsection (a) for the unmarked grave of an individual, the Secretary shall, if feasible, add a memorial inscription to that headstone or marker rather than furnishing a separate headstone or marker under that subsection for the surviving spouse or eligible dependent child of such individual.
(2)When the Secretary has furnished a memorial headstone or marker under subsection (b) for purposes of commemorating a veteran or an individual who died in the active military, naval, air, or space service, the Secretary shall, if feasible, add a memorial inscription to that headstone or marker rather than furnishing a separate memorial headstone or marker under that subsection for the surviving spouse or eligible dependent child of such individual.
(h)(1)In lieu of furnishing a headstone or marker under this section for a deceased individual described in paragraph (3), the Secretary shall furnish, upon request and at the expense of the United States—
(A)an urn made of any material to signify the individual’s status as a veteran, in which the remains of such individual may be placed at private expense; or
(B)a commemorative plaque signifying the individual’s status as a veteran.
(2)If the Secretary furnishes an urn or commemorative plaque for an individual under paragraph (1), the Secretary may not provide for such individual—
(A)a headstone or marker under this section; or
(B)any burial benefit under section 2402 of this title.
(3)A deceased individual described in this paragraph is an individual—
(A)who served in the Armed Forces on or after April 6, 1917;
(B)who is eligible for a headstone or marker furnished under subsection (d) (or would be so eligible but for the date of the death of the individual); and
(C)whose remains were cremated and not interred in a national cemetery, a State veterans’ cemetery, a tribal cemetery, a county cemetery, or a private cemetery.
(4)(A)Any urn or commemorative plaque furnished under this subsection shall be the personal property of the next of kin or such other individual as the Secretary considers appropriate.
(B)The Federal Government shall not be liable for any damage to an urn or commemorative plaque furnished under this subsection that occurs after the date on which the urn or commemorative plaque is so furnished.
(5)The Secretary shall prescribe regulations to carry out this subsection.
(i)(1)A headstone or marker may not be furnished under subsection (a) for the unmarked grave of a person described in section 2411(b) of this title.
(2)A memorial headstone or marker may not be furnished under subsection (b) for the purpose of commemorating a person described in section 2411(b) of this title.
(3)A headstone or marker may not be furnished under subsection (d) for the grave of a person described in section 2411(b) of this title.
(4)A casket or urn may not be furnished under subsection (f) for burial of a person described in section 2411(b) of this title.
(j)(1)In addition to any other authority under this section, in the case of an individual whose grave is not in a covered cemetery (as that term is defined in subsection (f)(2)) and for whom the Secretary has furnished a headstone or marker under subsection (a) or (d), the Secretary, if feasible and upon request, may replace the headstone or marker to add an inscription for the surviving spouse or eligible dependent child of such individual following the death of the surviving spouse or eligible dependent child.
(2)If the spouse or eligible dependent child of an individual referred to in paragraph (1) predeceases the individual, the Secretary may, if feasible and upon request, include an inscription for the spouse or dependent child on the headstone or marker furnished for the individual under subsection (a) or (d).
(k)In this section, the term “tribal organization” has the meaning given such term in section 3765 of this title.
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Editorial Notes
Amendments
2025—Subsec. (b)(2)(B), (C). Pub. L. 118–271 substituted “
September 30, 2032” for “
September 30, 2025”. 2024—Subsec. (b)(2)(B), (C). Pub. L. 118–83 substituted “
September 30, 2025” for “
October 1, 2024”. Subsec. (d)(5)(C)(i). Pub. L. 118–134, § 2(a)(1), (3), redesignated cl. (ii) as (i) and struck out former cl. (i) which read as follows: “served in the Armed Forces on or after
April 6, 1917;”. Subsec. (d)(5)(C)(ii). Pub. L. 118–134, § 2(a)(3), (b), redesignated cl. (iii) as (ii) and substituted “section 2732” for “section 491”. Former cl. (ii) redesignated (i). Pub. L. 118–134, § 2(a)(2), inserted “(except that subparagraph (B)(i) of such paragraph shall not apply)” after “paragraph (4)”. Subsec. (d)(5)(C)(iii). Pub. L. 118–134, § 2(a)(3), redesignated cl. (iii) as (ii). Subsec. (d)(5)(D). Pub. L. 118–134, § 2(b), substituted “section 2732” for “section 491”. 2021—Subsec. (b)(4)(A). Pub. L. 116–283 substituted “air, or space service” for “or air service”. Subsec. (e)(1)(A). Pub. L. 116–315, § 2203(a)(1)(A), substituted “may” for “shall” and inserted “, or in a cemetery that is the subject of a grant to a State or a tribal organization under section 2408 of this title,” after “National Cemetery Administration”. Subsec. (e)(1)(C). Pub. L. 116–315, § 2203(a)(1)(B), substituted “may” for “shall”. Subsec. (e)(2). Pub. L. 116–315, § 2203(a)(2), added par. (2) and struck out former par. (2) which read as follows: “The use of outer burial receptacles in a cemetery under the control of the National Cemetery Administration, in the Arlington National Cemetery, or in a national cemetery administered by the National Park Service shall be in accordance with
Regulations
or procedures approved by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, the Secretary of the Army, or the Secretary of the Interior, respectively.” Subsec. (g)(2). Pub. L. 116–283 substituted “air, or space service” for “or air service”. Subsec. (h). Pub. L. 116–315, § 2207(a)(2), added subsec. (h). Former subsec. (h) redesignated (i). Subsecs. (i), (j). Pub. L. 116–315, § 2207(a)(1), redesignated subsecs. (h) and (i) as (i) and (j), respectively. Former subsec. (j) redesignated (k). Pub. L. 116–315, § 2204(a), added subsec. (i) and redesignated former subsec. (i) as (j). Subsec. (k). Pub. L. 116–315, § 2207(a)(1), redesignated subsec. (j) as (k). 2018—Subsec. (a)(4). Pub. L. 115–407, § 201(1), inserted “or a veterans’ cemetery owned by a tribal organization or on land owned by or held in trust for a tribal organization” after “State”. Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 115–407, § 201(2), inserted “, a veterans’ cemetery of a tribal organization or on land owned by or held in trust for a tribal organization” after “owned by a State”. Subsec. (b)(2)(B). Pub. L. 115–407, § 202(a)(1), inserted “, or the spouse of a member of the Armed Forces serving on active duty under conditions other than dishonorable, as shown by a statement from a general court-martial convening authority, at the time of the spouse’s death if such death occurs before
October 1, 2024” after “veteran”. Pub. L. 115–136, § 1(1), substituted “An individual who dies on or after
November 11, 1998, who is the” for “The”. Subsec. (b)(2)(C). Pub. L. 115–407, § 202(a)(2), inserted “, or the eligible dependent child of a member of the Armed Forces serving on active duty under conditions other than dishonorable, as shown by a statement from a general court-martial convening authority, at the time of the child’s death if such death occurs before
October 1, 2024” after “veteran”. Pub. L. 115–136, § 1(2), substituted “An individual who dies on or after
November 11, 1998, who is an” for “An”. Subsec. (d)(5)(C)(iii), (D). Pub. L. 115–232 substituted “section 7271, 8291, or 9271 of title 10” for “section 3741, 6241, or 8741 of title 10”. Subsec. (e)(1). Pub. L. 115–184, § 2(1), designated first sentence as subpar. (A) and second sentence as subpar. (B) and added subpar. (C). Subsec. (e)(2). Pub. L. 115–184, § 2(2), substituted “, in the Arlington National Cemetery, or in a national cemetery administered by the National Park Service” for “or in the Arlington National Cemetery” and “, the Secretary of the Army, or the Secretary of the Interior” for “or Secretary of the Army”. Subsec. (e)(3)(B)(ii). Pub. L. 115–184, § 2(3), substituted “or the Secretary of the Army with respect to Arlington National Cemetery or the Secretary of the Interior with respect to a national cemetery administered by the National Park Service” for “or, with respect to Arlington National Cemetery, the Secretary of the Army”. Subsec. (e)(4). Pub. L. 115–184, § 2(4), substituted “or the Secretary of the Army with respect to Arlington National Cemetery or the Secretary of the Interior with respect to a national cemetery administered by the National Park Service” for “or, with respect to Arlington National Cemetery, the Secretary of the Army”. Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 115–407, § 201(3), designated existing provisions as par. (1), redesignated former pars. (1) and (2) as subpars. (A) and (B), respectively, of par. (1), substituted “a covered cemetery” for “a national cemetery or in a veterans cemetery of a State or tribal organization for which the Department has provided a grant under section 2408 of this title” in introductory provisions of par. (1), and added par. (2). Subsec. (i). Pub. L. 115–407, § 201(4), added subsec. (i). 2016—Subsec. (d)(4). Pub. L. 114–315, § 301(1), added par. (4) and struck out former par. (4) which read as follows: “In lieu of furnishing a headstone or marker under this subsection, the Secretary may furnish, upon request, a medallion or other device of a design determined by the Secretary to signify the deceased’s status as a veteran, to be attached to a headstone or marker furnished at private expense.” Subsec. (d)(5). Pub. L. 114–315, § 301(2), added par. (5). Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 114–273, § 2(1) substituted “for burial of a deceased veteran in a national cemetery or in a veterans cemetery of a State or tribal organization for which the Department has provided a grant under section 2408 of this title” for “for burial in a national cemetery of a deceased veteran” in introductory provisions. Subsec. (f)(2). Pub. L. 114–273, § 2(2), substituted “such burial” for “the burial of the veteran in a national cemetery”. 2013—Subsecs. (f) to (h). Pub. L. 112–260, § 101(a)(1), (2), added subsec. (f) and redesignated former subsecs. (f) and (g) as (g) and (h), respectively. Subsec. (h)(4). Pub. L. 112–260, § 101(a)(3), added par. (4). 2010—Subsec. (a)(2). Pub. L. 111–275, § 502(d)(3)(A), substituted “section 2402(a)(4)” for “section 2402(4)”. Subsec. (a)(4). Pub. L. 111–275, § 502(d)(3)(B), substituted “section 2402(a)(5)” for “section 2402(5)”. 2008—Subsec. (b)(4)(B). Pub. L. 110–389 substituted “a surviving spouse who had a subsequent remarriage” for “an unremarried surviving spouse whose subsequent remarriage was terminated by death or divorce”. 2007—Subsec. (d)(3), (4). Pub. L. 110–157, § 203(a), redesignated pars. (4) and (5) as (3) and (4), respectively, and struck out former par. (3) which read as follows: “The authority to furnish a marker under this subsection expires on
December 31, 2007.” Subsec. (d)(5). Pub. L. 110–157, § 203(a)(2), redesignated par. (5) as (4). Pub. L. 110–157, § 201, added par. (5). 2006—Subsec. (b)(2)(C). Pub. L. 109–461, § 401(a)(1), added subpar. (C). Subsec. (b)(5). Pub. L. 109–461, § 401(a)(2), added par. (5). Subsec. (d)(1). Pub. L. 109–461, § 402(b)(1)(A)(ii), (c), in second sentence, inserted “headstone or” before “marker” in four places and “, or, if placement on the grave is impossible or impracticable, as close as possible to the grave within the grounds of the cemetery in which the grave is located” before period at end. Pub. L. 109–461, § 402(b)(1)(A)(i), substituted “Government headstone or marker” for “Government marker” in first sentence. Subsec. (d)(2). Pub. L. 109–461, § 402(b)(1)(B), (d), inserted “headstone or” before “marker” and “or to a receiving agent for delivery to the cemetery” before period at end. Subsec. (d)(3). Pub. L. 109–461, § 1006(b), provided that as of the enactment of Pub. L. 109–461, the
Amendments
made by Pub. L. 109–444 were deemed for all purposes not to have taken effect and that Pub. L. 109–444 ceased to be in effect. See Amendment notes below and section 1006(b) of Pub. L. 109–461, set out as a Coordination of Provisions With Pub. L. 109–444 note under section 101 of this title. Pub. L. 109–461, § 402(a), substituted “
December 31, 2007” for “
December 31, 2006”. Pub. L. 109–444, which substituted “
December 31, 2007” for “
December 31, 2006”, was terminated by Pub. L. 109–461, § 1006(b). See Amendment notes above. Subsec. (d)(4). Pub. L. 109–461, § 402(f), added par. (4). Pub. L. 109–461, § 402(e), struck out par. (4) which read as follows: “Not later than
February 1, 2006, the Secretary shall submit to the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives a report on the use of the authority under this subsection. The report shall include the following: “(A) The rate of use of the benefit under this subsection, shown by fiscal year. “(B) An assessment as to the extent to which markers furnished under this subsection are being delivered to cemeteries and placed on grave sites consistent with the provisions of this subsection. “(C) The Secretary’s recommendation for extension or repeal of the expiration date specified in paragraph (3).” Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 109–461, § 401(b), inserted “or eligible dependent child” after “surviving spouse” in pars. (1) and (2). Subsec. (g)(3). Pub. L. 109–461, § 402(b)(2), inserted “headstone or” before “marker”. 2002—Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 107–330 added subsec. (g). 2001—Subsec. (a)(5). Pub. L. 107–103, § 502(c), substituted “chapter 1223” for “chapter 67”. Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 107–103, § 502(b), substituted “subsection (a), (b), or (d)” for “subsection (a) or (b)”. Subsecs. (d) to (f). Pub. L. 107–103, § 502(a), added subsec. (d) and redesignated former subsecs. (d) and (e) as (e) and (f), respectively. 1998—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 105–368, § 401(a), amended subsec. (b) generally. Prior to amendment, subsec. (b) read as follows: “The Secretary shall furnish, when requested, an appropriate memorial headstone or marker for the purpose of commemorating any veteran— “(1) whose remains have not been recovered or identified, “(2) whose remains were buried at sea, whether by the veteran’s own choice or otherwise, “(3) whose remains were donated to science, or “(4) whose remains were cremated and the ashes scattered without interment of any portion of the ashes, for placement by the applicant in a national cemetery area reserved for such purpose under the provisions of section 2403 of this title or in a State, local, or private cemetery.” Subsec. (d)(1), (2). Pub. L. 105–368, § 403(c)(2), substituted “under the control of the National Cemetery Administration” for “within the National Cemetery System”. Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 105–368, § 401(b), added subsec. (e). 1996—Pub. L. 104–275, § 213(b)(1), substituted “burial receptacles” for “grave liners” in section catchline. Subsec. (d)(1). Pub. L. 104–275, § 213(a)(1), substituted “an outer burial receptacle” for “a grave liner” in two places. Subsec. (d)(2). Pub. L. 104–275, § 213(a)(2), substituted “outer burial receptacles” for “grave liners” and “
Regulations
or procedures” for “specifications and procedures”. Subsec. (d)(3), (4). Pub. L. 104–275, § 213(a)(3), added pars. (3) and (4). 1992—Subsec. (a)(5). Pub. L. 102–547 added par. (5). 1991—Pub. L. 102–83, § 5(a), renumbered section 906 of this title as this section. Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 102–83, § 5(c)(1), substituted “2402(4)” for “1002(4)” in par. (2) and “2402(5)” for “1002(5)” in par. (4). Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 102–83, § 5(c)(1), substituted “2403” for “1003” in concluding provisions. 1990—Subsecs. (d), (e). Pub. L. 101–508 redesignated subsec. (e) as (d) and struck out former subsec. (d) which read as follows: “In lieu of furnishing a headstone or marker under subsection (a)(2) or (b) of this section, the Secretary, in the Secretary’s discretion, having due regard for the circumstances in each case, may reimburse the person entitled to request such headstone or marker for the cost of acquiring a non-Government headstone or marker for placement in any cemetery other than a national cemetery in connection with the burial or memorialization of the deceased individual. The cost referred to in the preceding sentence is the cost actually incurred by or on behalf of such person or the cost prepaid by the deceased individual, as the case may be. Reimbursement under this subsection may be made only upon the request of the person entitled to request the headstone or marker and may not be made in an amount in excess of the average actual cost, as determined by the Secretary, of headstones and markers furnished under subsections (a) and (b) of this section.” 1989—Subsecs. (a) to (c). Pub. L. 101–237, § 313(b)(1), substituted “Secretary” for “Administrator”. Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 101–237, § 501, substituted “cost of acquiring” for “actual costs incurred by or on behalf of such person in acquiring” in first sentence, inserted after first sentence “The cost referred to in the preceding sentence is the cost actually incurred by or on behalf of such person or the cost prepaid by the deceased individual, as the case may be.”, and substituted “this subsection” for “the preceding sentence” in last sentence. Pub. L. 101–237, § 313(b)(1), substituted “Secretary” and “Secretary’s” for “Administrator” and “Administrator’s”, respectively, wherever appearing. Subsec. (e)(1). Pub. L. 101–237, § 504(a), inserted first sentence and struck out former first sentence which read as follows: “The Secretary may provide a grave liner for any grave in a cemetery within the National Cemetery System in which remains are interred in a casket.” Pub. L. 101–237, § 313(b)(1), substituted “Secretary may provide” for “Administrator may provide”. Subsec. (e)(2). Pub. L. 101–237, § 313(b)(3), substituted “Secretary of Veterans Affairs or Secretary of the Army” for “Administrator or the Secretary”. 1988—Pub. L. 100–322, § 344(b)(1), substituted “Headstones, markers, and grave liners” for “Headstones and markers” in section catchline. Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 100–322, § 344(a), added subsec. (e). 1981—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 97–66 inserted provisions relating to veterans whose remains were donated to science or whose remains were cremated and the ashes scattered without interment of any portion of the ashes. 1980—Subsec. (a)(4). Pub. L. 96–385 added par. (4). 1978—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 95–479 struck out “dying in the service, and” after “to commemorate any veteran”. Subsecs. (c), (d). Pub. L. 95–476 added subsecs. (c) and (d).
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date
of 2021 Amendment Pub. L. 116–315, title II, § 2203(b), Jan. 5, 2021, 134 Stat. 4986, provided that: “The
Amendments
made by this section [amending this section] shall take effect on the date that is two years after the date of the enactment of this Act [Jan. 5, 2021].” Pub. L. 116–315, title II, § 2204(b), Jan. 5, 2021, 134 Stat. 4986, provided that: “Subsection (i) of section 2306 of title 38, United States Code, as added by subsection (a), shall apply with respect to an individual who dies on or after October 1, 2019.” Pub. L. 116–315, title II, § 2207(b), Jan. 5, 2021, 134 Stat. 4988, provided that: “The
Amendments
made by this section [amending this section] shall take on [sic] effect on the date that is two years after the date of the enactment of this Act [Jan. 5, 2021].”
Effective Date
of 2018 AmendmentAmendment by Pub. L. 115–232 effective Feb. 1, 2019, with provision for the coordination of
Amendments
and special rule for certain redesignations, see section 800 of Pub. L. 115–232, set out as a note preceding section 3001 of Title 10, Armed Forces.
Effective Date
of 2013 Amendment Pub. L. 112–260, title I, § 101(b), Jan. 10, 2013, 126 Stat. 2418, provided that: “Subsections (f) and (h)(4) of section 2306 of title 38, United States Code, as added by subsection (a), shall take effect on the date that is one year after the date of the enactment of this Act [Jan. 10, 2013] and shall apply with respect to deaths occurring on or after the date that is one year after the date of the enactment of this Act.”
Effective Date
of 2010 AmendmentAmendment by Pub. L. 111–275 applicable with respect to the death, on or after Oct. 13, 2010, of the parent of a person described in section 2402(a)(9)(B) of this title, who dies on or after October 7, 2001, see section 502(e) of Pub. L. 111–275, set out as a note under section 107 of this title.
Effective Date
of 2008 Amendment Pub. L. 110–389, title VIII, § 810(b), Oct. 10, 2008, 122 Stat. 4190, provided that: “The amendment made by this section [amending this section] shall apply to deaths occurring on or after the date of the enactment of this Act [Oct. 10, 2008].”
Effective Date
of 2006 Amendment Pub. L. 110–157, title II, § 203(b), Dec. 26, 2007, 121 Stat. 1833, provided that: “Notwithstanding subsection (d) of section 502 of the Veterans Education and Benefits Expansion Act of 2001 (Public Law 107–103; 115 Stat. 995; 38 U.S.C. 2306 note) or any other provision of law, the
Amendments
made by that section and by subsections (a), (b), (c), (d), and (f) of section 402 of the Veterans Benefits, Health Care, and Information Technology Act of 2006 (Public Law 109–461; 120 Stat. 3429) [amending this section] shall take effect as of November 1, 1990, and shall apply with respect to headstones and markers for the graves of individuals dying on or after that date.” Pub. L. 109–461, title IV, § 401(c), Dec. 22, 2006, 120 Stat. 3429, provided that: “The
Amendments
made by subsections (a) and (b) [amending this section] shall apply with respect to individuals dying after the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec. 22, 2006].”
Effective Date
of 2002 AmendmentAmendment by Pub. L. 107–330 applicable with respect to deaths occurring on or after Dec. 6, 2002, see section 201(d) of Pub. L. 107–330, set out as a note under section 112 of this title.
Effective Date
of 2001 AmendmentAmendment by section 502 of Pub. L. 107–103 effective Nov. 1, 1990, and applicable with respect to headstones and markers for the graves of individuals dying on or after that date, see section 203(b) of Pub. L. 110–157, set out as an
Effective Date
of 2006 Amendment note above. Pub. L. 107–103, title V, § 502(d), Dec. 27, 2001, 115 Stat. 995, as amended by Pub. L. 107–330, title II, § 203(a), Dec. 6, 2002, 116 Stat. 2824, provided that: “The
Amendments
made by subsections (a) and (b) [amending this section] shall apply with respect to markers for the graves of individuals dying on or after September 11, 2001.” [Pub. L. 107–330, title II, § 203(b), Dec. 6, 2002, 116 Stat. 2824, provided that: “The amendment made by subsection (a) [amending section 502(d) of Pub. L. 107–103, set out above] shall take effect as if included in the enactment of such section 502.” ]
Effective Date
of 1998 Amendment Pub. L. 105–368, title IV, § 401(d), Nov. 11, 1998, 112 Stat. 3335, provided that: “The
Amendments
made by subsections (a) and (b) [amending this section] shall apply to deaths occurring after the date of the enactment of this Act [Nov. 11, 1998].”
Effective Date
of 1990 Amendment Pub. L. 101–508, title VIII, § 8041(b), Nov. 5, 1990, 104 Stat. 1388–349, provided that: “This section [amending this section] shall apply to deaths occurring on or after November 1, 1990.”
Effective Date
of 1989 Amendment Pub. L. 101–237, title V, § 504(b), Dec. 18, 1989, 103 Stat. 2094, provided that: “The amendment made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall apply to interments that occur after January 1, 1990.”
Effective Date
of 1981 AmendmentAmendment by Pub. L. 97–66 applicable with respect to veterans dying before, on, or after Oct. 17, 1981, see section 701(b)(6) of Pub. L. 97–66, set out as a note under section 1114 of this title.
Effective Date
of 1980 AmendmentAmendment by Pub. L. 96–385 applicable only with respect to individuals who die after Sept. 30, 1980, see section 601(c) of Pub. L. 96–385, set out as a note under section 1114 of this title.
Effective Date
of 1978
Amendments
Amendment by Pub. L. 95–479 effective Oct. 1, 1978, see section 401(a) of Pub. L. 95–479, set out as a note under section 1114 of this title. Amendment by Pub. L. 95–476 effective Oct. 18, 1978, see section 205(a) of Pub. L. 95–476, set out as a note under section 2303 of this title.
Effective Date
Pub. L. 93–43, § 10(c),
June 18, 1973, 87 Stat. 88, provided that: “Clause (2) of section 5(a) [enacting this section and section 907 [now 2307] of this title] and section 6 [enacting provisions set out a note under section 2404 of this title] and 7 [repealing sections 271 to 276, 278 to 279d, 281 to 282, 286 to 290, and 296 of Title 24, Hospitals and Asylums, and enacting provisions set out as notes under sections 271 to 276 of Title 24] of this Act shall take effect
September 1, 1973, or on such earlier date as the President may prescribe and publish in the Federal Register.” Continuation of Authority Pub. L. 110–92, § 162, as added by Pub. L. 110–149, § 2, Dec. 21, 2007, 121 Stat. 1819, provided that: “Notwithstanding section 106 [121 Stat. 990], the authority provided by section 2306(d)(3) of title 38, United States Code, shall continue in effect through
September 30, 2008.”
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
38 U.S.C. § 2306
Title 38 — Veterans' Benefits
Last Updated
Apr 6, 2026
Release point: 119-73