Title 38, Veterans' BenefitsRelease 119-110
§2414 Communication Between Department of Veterans Affairs and Medical Examiners and Funeral Directors
Title 38 › PART II — GENERAL BENEFITS › CHAPTER 24 — NATIONAL CEMETERIES AND MEMORIALS › § 2414
Summary
Before a deceased veteran is sent to a national cemetery, the VA must get two facts from the local medical examiner, funeral director, county service group, or whoever handled the body: whether the veteran was cremated, and what steps were taken to confirm there is no next of kin. This applies when the VA finds the veteran has no next of kin or other person claiming the body and does not have enough money for a casket or urn for burial in a national cemetery.
Full Legal Text
Title 38, §2414
Veterans' Benefits, Source: USLM XML via OLRC
(a)Required Information.—
With respect to each deceased veteran described in subsection (b) who is transported to a national cemetery for burial, the Secretary shall ensure that the local medical examiner, funeral director, county service group, or other entity responsible for the body of the deceased veteran before such transportation submits to the Secretary the following information:
(1)Whether the deceased veteran was cremated.
(2)The steps taken to ensure that the deceased veteran has no next of kin.
(b)Deceased Veteran Described.—
A deceased veteran described in this subsection is a deceased veteran—
(1)with respect to whom the Secretary determines that there is no next of kin or other person claiming the body of the deceased veteran; and
(2)who does not have sufficient resources for the furnishing of a casket or urn for the burial of the deceased veteran in a national cemetery, as determined by the Secretary.
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date
Pub. L. 112–260, title I, § 103(c), Jan. 10, 2013, 126 Stat. 2420, provided that: “Section 2414 of title 38, United States Code, as added by subsection (a), shall take effect on 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 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act.”
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
38 U.S.C. § 2414
Title 38, Veterans' Benefits
Last Updated
Sep 22, 2026
Release point: 119-110