The Department of Veterans Affairs has announced that it awarded more than $77 million in grants during fiscal year 2025 for the expansion and improvement of 20 state Veterans cemeteries across the United States, as well as a grant to establish Alaska’s first state Veterans cemetery.
The VA’s National Cemetery Administration reimburses states for expenses related to building, improving, or expanding state-run Veterans cemeteries. These grants typically support projects such as the construction of pre-placed crypts and columbaria, along with other upgrades necessary for continued interments and operations.
According to the VA, cemeteries funded by these grants handled over 43,705 interments for Veterans and eligible family members in fiscal year 2025. This represents about a quarter of all annual interments at national and VA grant-funded Veterans cemeteries nationwide.
Since 1980, the VA has provided more than $1.1 billion in grants to 124 Veterans cemeteries located in 47 states, 14 tribal nations, and three territories—Guam, Saipan, and Puerto Rico. In partnership with its network of 157 national cemeteries, this effort ensures that over 94% of U.S. Veterans have access to a Veterans cemetery within 75 miles of their residence.
“Veterans cemeteries keep the memories of America’s heroes alive,” said VA Secretary Doug Collins. “Under President Trump, VA is committed to ensuring America’s Veterans cemeteries have the resources they need to provide excellent memorial benefits and services to our nation’s Veterans and their families, and these grants underscore that fact.”
The $77 million in funding will be distributed among several projects:
- $16.7 million will go toward establishing the Interior Alaska Veterans Cemetery in Fairbanks—the first state Veterans cemetery in Alaska—which will serve more than 12,000 individuals.
- Grants for expansions include amounts ranging from approximately $657,000 for Eastern Carolina State Veterans Cemetery (North Carolina) to nearly $13 million for Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery.
- Funding also covers improvements at existing sites; for example, Southern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery will receive $931,500.
- Some projects include reimbursement for costs associated with burial receptacles or crypt fabrication.
In addition to physical improvements at cemetery sites, most VA-grant funded cemeteries participate in the VA’s online Veterans Legacy Memorial platform. This site allows family members and others to honor deceased service members by sharing tributes, photos, biographical information, and documents online.
More information about VA burial benefits and memorial services can be found on their website or through informational videos.
