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"Making a difference in the lives of Wisconsin Veterans"
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Northern Cemetery | Central Cemetery | Southern Cemetery National Cemetery Administration (VA) - Information on national and state cemeteries and VA burial benefits. Nationwide Graveside Locator (VA) - Search for burial locations of veterans and their family members in VA National Cemeteries, state veterans cemeteries, various other military and Department of Interior cemeteries, and for veterans buried in private cemeteries when the grave is marked with a government grave marker. American Battle Monuments Commission - Information and listing of the overseas veterans cemeteries to include burial locations of those interred.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Frequently Asked Questions 1. What are the procedures for arranging interments at the state veteran’s cemeteries? 2. How is eligibility for burial established for a veteran? 3. Does a veteran or next-of-kin have a right to appeal eligibility determinations? 4. Can a veteran be eligible for burial if they commit a federal or state capital crime? 5. What is a Lawn Crypt Garden? 9. What documentation is needed for burial? 10. Where can I find information about burial at sea? 11. How are gravesites assigned and reserved? 12. Can church or visitation services be scheduled at the state veteran’s cemeteries? 13. Can services be conducted at gravesite? 15. How are military Funeral Honors arranged? 16. What types of burial markers are provided at the state veterans cemeteries? 17. What type of inscription may I have placed on a marker? 18. Is a special container required for the inurnment and burial of cremated remains? 20. What is the Presidential Memorial Certificate (PMC) and how can I obtain one?
1. What are the procedures for arranging interments at the state veteran’s cemeteries? Burial arrangements are scheduled on business days only, excluding State holidays, between 9:00 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. typically on a 30-45 minute schedule. At time of need while family is present, funeral directors should call the cemetery office to request burial and verify a tentative service time. The cemetery office must establish eligibility of the veteran. The same procedure is followed if an eligible dependent predeceases the qualifying veteran.
2. How is eligibility for burial established for a veteran? In most cases, supplying a copy of the discharge document with character of service being under other than dishonorable conditions and meeting the state residency requirement may establish eligibility. There are some exceptions based on the type of discharge, see eligibility, or contact the cemetery. If the family is unable to locate discharge documents, the cemetery will assist the family to procure documents. The burden of proof remains with the family if the cemetery is unable to obtain required documentation.
3. Does a veteran or next-of-kin have a right to appeal eligibility determinations? A veteran, their legal representative, or their next-of-kin may appeal a decision as to the eligibility of a veteran, or members of the veteran’s immediate family, for burial in a State Veterans Cemetery. The appeal must be in writing and filed with: Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs
4. Can a veteran be eligible for burial if they commit a federal or state capital crime? Federal law denies burial or other burial benefits in either national or state veterans cemeteries of those veterans convicted of a federal or state capital crime and sentenced to death or life imprisonment. This includes veterans found by clear and convincing evidence to have committed a federal or state capital crime but not convicted of such crime because of flight to avoid prosecution, or by death prior to trial. This information can be found in Public Law 105-116. Eligibility for Military Funeral Honors in these situations is determined on a case by case situation by each branch of military service.
5. What is a Lawn Crypt Garden? The lawn crypt garden is the option available to a veteran and spouse who choose ground casket burial. The lawn crypts consist of single and double depth pre-set liners at the Northern and Southern Cemeteries. An upright granite marker serves as the memorialization. The information required on the marker includes the individual names, branch of service, and years of birth and death. If the veteran is the first interment, his/her information is on the front of the marker. The spousal information will be placed on the opposite side of the marker upon interment.
A columbarium is one of the two options available if a family chooses cremation. The cemetery will inurn the cremated remains of a deceased veteran and/or spouse in a niche unit of the columbarium. Each niche unit will accommodate 2 inurnments, veteran and spouse. The urns are placed within the niche and an inner sealer plate is installed before the granite front is replaced. Families and funeral homes should call for availability and size restrictions of the urns. The bronze memorial plate serves as the marker. The information required on the plate includes the individual names, branch of service, years of birth and death. After the first inurnment takes place a bronze plate will be ordered with the appropriate deceased’s information. The length of time to receive the bronze plate after ordering is 30-45 days. When the bronze plate is received it is attached to the granite front of the columbarium. A replacement bronze plate is ordered when the second inurnment occurs. The replacement bronze plate will list the information for both the veteran and spouse. Cemetery personnel assign the location of inurnment at time of need.
The urn garden is one of the two options currently available if a family chooses cremation. A single space in the urn garden will accommodate a deceased veteran and/or spouse. The urns are placed within the ground at a depth of approximately 30 inches. The information required on the marker includes the individual names, branch of service, years of birth and death.
Both the Northern and Southern cemeteries have computerized informational visitors kiosk systems. Families are able to access general cemetery information and burial site locations using touch screen technology during normal and off business hours. All interments are entered into the system bi-weekly and afford visitors and families an opportunity to print site map locations.
9. What documentation is needed for burial? Before assembling any documents, please contact the cemetery to determine if the veteran/spouse have pre-registered for interment. If pre-registration has occurred, the majority of documentation is already on hand at the cemetery and is not required. To schedule an interment service the following documents or forms must be provided to the cemetery:
10. Where can I find information about burial at sea? Contact the United States Navy Mortuary Affairs Office at 1-888-647-6676 and select option 4 or visit the VA FAQs web page.
11. How are gravesites assigned and reserved? The cemetery assigns the next available space for burial. Gravesites are not reserved in advance of need. However, the cemetery has implemented a Gravesite Set-Aside Program. In the event (2) eligible veterans are married to each other, the cemetery will reserve the adjoining space for the surviving spouse. This program is also available to surviving veteran parents or veteran children of an eligible veteran killed in action.
12. Can church or visitation services be scheduled at the state veteran’s cemeteries? Facilities at the cemeteries in Spooner and Union Grove are only designed to accommodate committal services and honors prior to the interment. Services should not exceed 20-30 minutes to avoid delaying the next scheduled service. At the King Cemetery, upon request, a chapel and chaplain is available for full funeral and committal services. Check with each cemetery for possible area clergy that could assist with a service.
13. Can services be conducted at gravesite? The Spooner and Union Grove cemeteries do not allow gravesite services. Committal services will be performed at the cemetery committal chapel or outside committal shelter (closed Nov. 1 thru March 15). Primarily this is for safety and to avoid disruption of cemetery personnel and equipment during interment operations. The King cemetery does allow gravesite services except during the winter season.
14. Can families have a memorial service for veterans if no previous service was provided and family members were unable to meet prior to actual interment at the cemetery? Yes, scheduling memorial services would follow the same guidelines as outlined for typical committal services. Funeral homes and families are requested to check with the cemetery office to verify scheduling availability.
15. How are Military Funeral Honors arranged? The WDVA Military Funeral Honors Program may provide full military funeral honors. Military honors are provided at no cost and may be arranged by contacting the cemetery administration office. Families may choose to arrange honors through veterans service organizations; however, they must advise the cemetery administration office of their intent.
16. What types of burial markers are provided at the state veterans cemeteries? For details on types of markers to include Pre-World War I era markers, go to: http://www.cem.va.gov/cem/hm/hmtype.asp The Northern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery at Spooner uses the following types of markers;
The Central Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery at King uses the following marker type;
The Southern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery at Union Grove uses the following types of markers;
17. What type of inscription may I have placed on a marker? At the time of interment a cemetery representative will provide the next of kin a formatted outline of the authorized inscriptions pertaining to each type of marker. Families may also choose to include additional personalized inscriptions when space permits that meet acceptable standards. The required inscription for a veteran includes the name, branch of service, years of birth and death. Optional inscription may include a religious emblem (check with cemetery), rank, war period, month and date of birth, death, and a term of endearment.
18. Is a special container required for the inurnment and burial of cremated remains? Yes, the heavy plastic container provided by most crematories is the minimum acceptable container for placement either in-ground or within the columbarium. Cremation urn/containers scheduled for columbarium inurnment (Spooner or Union Grove) need to meet the size limitations; call the cemetery for allowable dimensions and other questions.
19. Am I eligible for the VA Burial and Plot-Interment Allowance if a veteran is buried at a state veteran’s cemetery? No; if the veteran is buried at a state veteran’s cemetery the family is only authorized the burial and funeral expense allowance, not the plot interment allowance. For more details regarding these VA burial allowances go to the National Cemetery Administration website.
20. What is the Presidential Memorial Certificate (PMC) and how can I obtain one? A PMC is an engraved paper certificate signed by the President of the United States, to honor the memory of honorably discharged deceased veterans. Each cemetery will automatically order a PMC for each veteran interred at the cemetery which will be forwarded to the last known address of next of kin. Families can request additional PMCs by going to www.cem.va.gov/cem/pmc.asp and completing and submitting VA Form 40-0207 (Application for Presidential Memorial Certificate).
21. How do I or my group volunteer our services at the cemetery during the week or during special events (Veterans Day/Memorial Day)? Contact the cemetery for volunteer forms or information on how to volunteer your time.
22. Where can I find the burial location for a veteran and his/her dependents in VA National Cemeteries, state veterans cemeteries and various other Department of Interior and military cemeteries? The National Gravesite Locator includes burial records from many sources. These sources provide varied data; some searches may contain less information than others. If your search returns incorrect information about the deceased, please contact the cemetery directly to discuss your findings.
23. Where can I find information about the Military Overseas Cemeteries or the burial location of a veteran buried at one of these cemeteries? Go to the American Battle Monuments Commission website.
24. How can I obtain a special memorial flag flown over the USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor, HI, or at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery? To obtain a flag flown over the USS Arizona Memorial you can contact the Fleet Reserve (non-profit organization) in Hawaii at 800-422-2121. They send with each flag a certificate that can be personalized when ordering. They do accept credit cards; cost includes priority mail, delivery from 3-5 days from the time you place an order. You may select nylon or cotton flag, cost is the same. Flag sizes and cost: 2x3: $36.00, 3x5: $47.00, 4x6: $60.00, 5x8 $100.00. Arlington National Cemetery does not provide special memorial flags for these types of purposes.
Northern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery Central Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery Southern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery A brochure is available to download and print which has information about all three cemeteries.
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Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs 201 W. Washington Ave. • P.O. Box 7843 • Madison, WI 53707-7843 (608) 266-1311 or toll-free 1-800-WIS-VETS (947-8387) Legal Notices and Disclaimers Email: WDVA Email: Webmaster |
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