Preparing for Burial

Veterans, spouses, and their eligible dependents may be interred at the Maine Veterans’ Cemetery System (MVCS). Eligible dependents will be buried (or inurned) adjacent to or in the same plot as the veteran. Eligible veterans include active-duty veterans, current and former National Guard personnel or current or former Reserve component personnel. Individuals who served in the Maine National Guard, Reserve Units in Maine, or who were Maine residents serving in other states may be buried (or inurned) at the cost of the State of Maine.*

* Length of service and residency requirement applies; otherwise, eligible current or former National Guard/Reservists may elect to be buried, fee applies, contact cemetery staff at 207-287-3481 for specifics.


Persons eligible for burial in one of Maine Veterans' Memorial Cemeteries are as follows:

“Eligible veteran" means any person who:
  • A. Served in the active United States Armed Forces and who:

    1. If discharged, received an honorable discharge or a general discharge under honorable conditions, if the discharge was not upgraded through a program of general amnesty; and

    2. If having served as an enlisted person after September 7, 1980 or as an officer after October 16, 1981, served for a minimum of 24 continuous months or the full period for which the person was called to active duty;

  • B. Served in the Maine National Guard and died as a result of injury, disease or illness sustained while serving on active state service;

  • C. Served in the Reserve Components of the United States Armed Forces and was entitled to retired pay under 10 United States Code, chapter 1223, section 12731 or would have been entitled to retired pay under chapter 1223, section 12731 except that the person was under 60 years of age; or

  • D. Died while serving in the Active Guard Reserve and whose death is determined to be in the line of duty.

“Eligible dependents” means:
  • A. The spouse or surviving spouse of an eligible veteran even if that veteran is not buried or memorialized in the cemetery system or the surviving spouse of a member of the United States Armed Forces whose remains are unavailable for burial;

  • B. The surviving spouse of an eligible veteran who had a subsequent remarriage to a person who is not a veteran when the surviving spouse's death occurred on or after January 1, 2000;

  • C. A minor child of an eligible veteran. For purposes of this division, a minor child is a child who is unmarried and:

    • 1. Has not attained 21 years of age; or

    • 2. Has not attained 23 years of age and is pursuing a full-time course of instruction at an educational institution offering an accredited postsecondary educational degree program; and

    • 3. An unmarried adult child of an eligible veteran if that child became permanently physically or mentally disabled and incapable of self-support:

      • Before attaining 21 years of age; or

      • Before attaining 23 years of age if supporting documentation exists that the adult child was pursuing a full-time course of instruction at an educational institution offering an accredited postsecondary educational degree program.

    • Other Eligible individuals:

    • A. Member or former member of the Maine National Guard; or

    • B. A member or former member of the state military forces or the Reserve Components of the United States Armed Forces assigned to a unit within the State of Maine; or

    • C. A current member of a Reserve Officer Training Corps of the United States Armed Forces assigned to a unit within the state of Maine; or

    • D. A member or former member of the National Guard, state military forces, or the Reserve Components of the United States Armed Forces assigned from outside of Maine that maintained a Maine residence for five years preceding the death of the person or eligible dependent; or

    • E. A current Reserve Officer Training Corps Cadet of the United States Armed Forces assigned from outside of Maine that maintained a Maine residence for five years preceding the death of the person or eligible dependent; or

    • F. A member or former member of the National Guard, state military forces, or the Reserve Components of the United States Armed Forces from outside of Maine and who was not a Maine resident for five years preceding the death of the person or eligible dependent will be eligible for burial with an Interment Fee.; or

    • G. A current Reserve Officer Training Corps Cadet of the United States Armed forces assigned from outside of Maine and who was not a Maine resident for five years preceding the death of the person or eligible dependent will be eligible for burial with an Interment Fee.

    Rule: 15-215 Ch 4 Expanded Burial Eligibility in the MVMCS


    Maine Statute: Maine Veterans' Memorial Cemetery System


    Cemetery Eligibility Application (PDF)