Allowances for Caskets and Urns for Unclaimed Remains of Veterans
VA · va-other · Published 2023-06-30 · Effective 2023-07-31 · 88 FR 42245
Document
Document number
2023-13712
Federal Register citation
88 FR 42245
CFR reference
38 CFR 38
Type
Rule
Action
Final rule.
Category
va-other
Agency
US Department of Veterans Affairs
Publication date
2023-06-30
Effective date
2023-07-31
Abstract
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is implementing in regulation the Charles Duncan Buried with Honor Act of 2016, which expanded the casket and urn authority to apply to eligible veteran burials in State and Tribal cemeteries that received a VA cemetery grant. In addition, VA is establishing flat-rate allowances for caskets and urns, which will be adjusted annually based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI). Additionally, VA is updating the specifications for caskets based on feedback from funeral directors and other funeral industry professionals. Finally, VA is eliminating the retroactive reimbursement provisions since the relevant applicability period has passed.