Committal Services, Memorial Services and Funeral Honors

This final rule reflects current VA practices relative to respecting the expressed wishes of the personal representative when making arrangements for the committal or memorial service. The final rule clarifies the process for requesting committal or memorial services when requesting interment at VA national cemeteries and addresses access to public areas at VA national cemeteries. The final rule also addresses when committal services may be conducted at a gravesite rather than in a committal shelter and standardizes measures to implement the statutory requirement that VA notify the personal representative of the funeral honors available to the deceased veteran.