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Pre-Registration Eligibility
Please see our Eligibility Requirements to learn more about who can be buried in the Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery System.
Pre-Need Burial Eligibility Determination
Please note it is critical that we provide eligibility and scheduling support to families with Time of Need requests for burial. If that is your situation, you should contact your funeral service provider or one of the Maine Veterans’ Cemetery Systems’ Scheduling Offices immediately.
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) implemented the pre-need eligibility program so Veterans, spouses and unmarried dependent adult children may better prepare for burial in a national, state or tribal veterans cemetery prior to the time of need. Planning in advance for a Veteran's or loved-one's final resting place can eliminate unnecessary delays and reduce stress on a family at a difficult time. Submission of a pre-need burial eligibility application does not obligate the Veteran or family member to burial in a national, state or tribal veteran’s cemetery.
Apply Online For Pre-Eligibility
You may apply for pre-need eligibility determination at the VA’s website by visiting their Pre-Need Page.
Burial in a national, state or tribal veteran’s cemetery is open to all members of the armed forces and Veterans who have met minimum active duty service requirements, as applicable by law and were discharged under conditions other than dishonorable. Members of the reserve components of the armed forces who die while on active duty under certain circumstances or who die while on training duty are also eligible for burial, as are service members and former service members who were eligible for retired pay at the time of their death. Spouses, minor children and, under certain conditions, dependent unmarried adult children are also eligible for burial even if they predecease the Veteran. Because laws affecting VA burial eligibility and individual circumstances may change, upon receipt of a burial request, VA will verify pre-need decisions in accordance with the laws in effect at that time
Applicants may indicate a preference for a national, state or tribal veteran’s cemetery on the application form, but a pre-need determination of eligibility does not guarantee burial in a specific national, state or tribal veterans cemetery or a specific gravesite.
Eligible individuals are entitled to burial in open national, state or tribal veteran’s cemetery which includes opening/closing of the grave, a government-furnished grave liner, perpetual care of the gravesite, and a government-furnished upright headstone or flat marker or niche cover all at no cost to the family. Veterans are also eligible for a burial flag and Presidential Memorial Certificate. The State of Maine assigns gravesites in cemeteries with available space once death has occurred and the burial is scheduled.
Authorized representatives can also apply on behalf of eligible claimants. An authorized agent or representative is an individual authorized by the claimant to make decisions on the claimant's behalf. An authorized representative first needs to be recognized by VA as an authorized representative or agent by filing a VA Form 21-22 Appointment of Veterans Service Organization As Claimant Representative; or VA Form 21-22a Appointment of Attorney Or Agent As Claimant Representative.
Written authorization should be included with the VA Form 40-10007, Application for Pre-Need Determination of Eligibility for Burial in a VA National Cemetery, if available. A notarized statement is not required.
The Department of Veterans Affairs National Cemetery Administration receives applications and makes Pre-Need burial eligibility determinations on a first in - first out basis. Applications are accepted via the online application, mail, and fax. Emailed submissions are no longer accepted.
Interested individuals may submit VA Form 40-10007, Application for Pre-Need Determination of Eligibility for Burial in a VA National Cemetery. Download the Application (VA40-10007.pdf), along with a copy of supporting documentation of military service such as a DD214, if readily available.
Mailing applications for Pre-Eligibility
National Cemetery Scheduling Office
P.O.Box 510543
St. Louis, MO 63151
Fax (toll-free): 1-855-840-8299
VA will review pre-need burial applications and provide written notice of a determination of eligibility. VA will store the pre-need application, supporting documentation, and the decision letter to expedite burial arrangements at the time of need. You are encouraged to keep the decision letter with supporting documentation with your important papers in a safe place and to discuss your burial wishes and final arrangements with your loved ones or other representatives.
Once you have received the written notice of determination of eligibility you must provide a copy to the State of Maine Veterans’ Cemetery System.
Maine Veterans Cemetery at Mt. Vernon Road
163 Mt. Vernon Rd.
Augusta, ME 04330
Northern Maine Veterans Cemetery
37 Lombard Rd.
Caribou, ME 04736
Southern Maine Veterans Cemetery. Springvale
83 Stanley Road
Springvale, ME 04083
At your time of need, your next-of-kin, funeral home or other representative responsible for making your final arrangements should contact one of the Maine Veterans’ Cemetery Systems’ Scheduling Offices to request burial.
The Cemetery system will locate your pre-need decision letter and validate our determination. Because laws affecting VA burial eligibility and individual circumstances may change, upon receipt of a burial request, VA will verify pre-need decisions in accordance with the laws in effect at that time including bars to receipt of burial benefits.
