# Disinterments From National Cemeteries
> **US Department of Veterans Affairs** · Final rule. · Published 1997-10-03 · Effective 1997-11-03 · 62 FR 51782
## Document
- **Document number:** 97-26254
- **Category:** va-other
- **Agency:** US Department of Veterans Affairs
- **Federal Register citation:** 62 FR 51782
- **CFR reference:** 38 CFR 1
- **Publication date:** 1997-10-03
- **Effective date:** 1997-11-03
## Abstract

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is issuing a final rule to amend regulations concerning disinterments from national cemeteries. Current regulations permit disinterment of persons buried in a national cemetery with the consent of immediate family members. Previously, the definition of immediate family members included a surviving spouse only if unmarried. The regulation change defines immediate family members for purposes of disinterments to include a surviving spouse whether or not the spouse had remarried. This is necessary since the emotional ties of the surviving spouse are sufficient to justify his or her consent as a condition of disinterment. This document also makes nonsubstantive changes for purposes of clarification.

## Source
- [Federal Register document](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/1997/10/03/97-26254/disinterments-from-national-cemeteries)
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