Legislation has been introduced in the U.S. Senate that would modernize the Veterans Administration’s National Cemetery Administration’s burial scheduling system and provide further clarity for grieving families.
Introduced on July 31 by Sens. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), ranking member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, the Honest Operations for National Cemetery Reporting (HONOR) Act would require NCA to create and maintain an online portal for families to monitor cemetery wait times.
“Our veterans put their lives on the line so that we can maintain the freedoms we enjoy here in the United States. A burial ceremony in a cemetery with their fellow veterans is a part of how we honor their sacrifice,” said Rounds. “Unfortunately, families across the nation are left in the dark about burial availability. Some families have experienced delays in scheduling burial ceremonies, waiting over a week or more at many cemeteries and up to 30 days at one cemetery.
Rounds noted that in South Dakota, the Black Hills National Cemetery maintains an average burial availability of two days.
“This should be standard across the nation,” he continued. “However, if a family must wait to hold a ceremony for their loved ones, knowing how long it will be and having the ability to request the earliest possible date brings added comfort during a difficult time.”
The legislation specifically directs NCA to begin building the data infrastructure necessary to support improved tracking and transparency standards. By requiring improved transparency on burial availability and developing systems to track and analyze wait times, the VA can fulfill its promise of dignity, timeliness and respect to every veteran and their family, no matter their faith, location or circumstances, the lawmakers said.
“Ensuring veterans receive the burial ceremony they deserve at a veterans’ cemetery is an important part of honoring their legacy and service to our nation,” said Blumenthal. “Our bill will make sure veterans’ families and loved ones have improved access to
The NCA offers a comprehensive set of burial benefits for veterans. At no cost to the family, eligible individuals are entitled to a gravesite in any national cemetery with available space, as well as the opening and closing of the grave, perpetual care, a government-provided headstone, marker or medallion; a burial flag; and a Presidential Memorial Certificate.
In fiscal year 2023 alone, nearly 138,000 individuals were laid to rest in national cemeteries operated by the NCA, final honors reflecting the gratitude of a nation.
Click here to read the full text of the bill.
Reach Julia LeDoux at Julia@connectingvets.com.