Senators Collins, Banks Introduce Ensuring Veterans’ Final Resting Place Act

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Jim Banks (R-IN) introduced the Ensuring Veterans’ Final Resting Place Act. Currently, veterans can receive VA burial benefits, including headstones, markers, or urns. However, those who choose an urn or plaque lose eligibility for burial in a VA cemetery, even if their spouse remains eligible. This bill would allow veterans with VA-provided urns or plaques to be buried in VA national cemeteries if their families choose.

“Veterans serve our country with honor and deserve dignity in their final resting place,” said Senator Collins. “This bipartisan bill would ensure that the surviving families of fallen veterans can receive full VA burial benefits no matter what type of memorial their families choose.”

“Military spouses make countless sacrifices in support of our servicemembers,” said Senator Banks. “We have a sacred duty to honor our nation’s heroes, and my bill ensures veterans, and their spouses are laid to rest with the respect they have earned.”

Specifically, the Ensuring Veterans’ Final Resting Place Act will:

• Ensure veterans and their spouses can be buried together, regardless of their chosen burial option;
• Allow veterans who receive urns or plaques from the VA to still be buried in VA national cemeteries if their families choose.

The complete bill text can be read here.

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