The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has initiated a pilot program to offer green burial options at three national cemeteries. This move aims to provide veterans with interment choices that have minimal environmental impact.
The participating cemeteries are the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona in Phoenix, Arizona; Pikes Peak National Cemetery in Colorado Springs, Colorado; and Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, Florida. Those interested can now request green burials at these locations.
"NCA is pleased to begin offering this new option to Veterans and their family members eligible for interment in a VA national cemetery," stated Acting Under Secretary for Memorial Affairs Ronald Walters. "This pilot reflects our commitment to understand and address the emerging burial preferences of Veterans and their loved ones."
This initiative follows the authority granted by Congress through Public Law 117-355, known as the National Cemeteries Preservation and Protection Act of 2022. The VA pursued this authority to provide an environmentally sustainable burial option for veterans and their eligible dependents. The pilot will help gather information necessary for understanding customer expectations, improving communication, and establishing procedures for implementing green burial sections at more cemeteries.
The National Cemetery Administration (NCA) will accept both cremated and intact remains for these green burials. According to the law, remains must be prepared without chemicals or embalming fluids and buried in biodegradable caskets or urns or wrapped securely in biodegradable shrouds.
While the concept of designated green burial sections is new, NCA has long accepted naturally prepared remains or those presented in biodegradable containers at its open cemeteries nationwide.
For further details on VA burial benefits, individuals can visit any VA National Cemetery Location in person, access information online via VA burial benefits and memorial items, or call toll-free at 800-827-1000. Planning resources are also available on NCA’s pre-need eligibility website.
