VA Updates Form for Moving Veterans' Remains from Cemeteries
Published Date: 4/16/2026
Notice
Summary
The Department of Veterans Affairs is updating the form used when families want to move a loved one’s remains from a national cemetery to another place. This affects veterans’ families who must get everyone’s written okay or a court order before the move. Comments on these changes are open until May 18, 2026, and the process takes about 10 minutes per request.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
All Immediate Family Must Consent
If you are a veteran’s family seeking to move remains from a national cemetery, all immediate family members (including the person who arranged the burial) must provide written consent before disinterment is granted. The VA will accept VA Form 40-4970 or a court order from local jurisdiction instead of the form.
Paperwork Time: 10 Minutes Per Request
If you submit a Request for Disinterment using VA Form 40-4970, the VA estimates the form takes about 10 minutes to complete. The VA estimates 1,400 respondents per year, for a total annual burden of 233 hours, and is accepting comments on this collection through May 18, 2026.
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