1. Tribal Veterans Representative Annual Training
Timothy L. Spain
Director, First Notice of Death Division

2. Responsibilities
Provide burial space for Veterans and eligible family members and maintain national cemeteries as national shrines
Administer the Federal grants program for construction of State and Tribal Veterans cemeteries
Furnish headstones, markers and medallions for the graves of Veterans around the world
Administer the Presidential Memorial Certificate program
Administer the First Notice of Death program

3. Burial Benefits Gravesite Opening and closing of the grave Grave liner
Headstone or marker
Perpetual care of the gravesite
U.S. Flag
Presidential Memorial Certificate

4. Eligibility Criteria
Any member of the U.S. Armed Forces who dies on active duty
Any Veteran who was discharged under conditions other than dishonorable
National Guard members and Reservists with 20 years of qualifying service, who are entitled to retired pay
Spouses and minor children
Certain eligible parents

5. NCA National Scheduling Office St. Louis, Missouri
The National Cemetery Scheduling Office provides interment scheduling service 7 days a week, from 7 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Central Time.
To Schedule an interment:
Fax all discharge information to the National Cemetery Scheduling Office at and follow-up with a phone call to
The process of burial in a national cemetery begins when a Veteran or family members dies, and the next of kin or a funeral director contacts our National Cemetery Scheduling Office.
This office is open seven days a week, 362 days a year.
The National Scheduling Office supports most VA national cemeteries.
The National Scheduling Office frees up staff members at individual cemeteries to work one-on-one with families. It also relieves cemetery directors of the responsibility to consider eligibility and sensitive cases. These determinations, including denial of burials, are now processed by staff at the National Scheduling Office.
Effective August 2009, a new process became available for families to appeal denial of burial or requests for headstones and markers.

6. National Gravesite Locator
Webpage at cem.va.gov. Application can be downloaded for handheld devices.
Also available at information kiosks in national cemeteries.

7. Memorial Programs Service

8. Memorial Programs Service
Headstones and Markers Provided
Presidential
Memorial Certificates
Medallions

9. Headstones and Markers
A copy of the deceased veteran's military discharge document must be provided when requesting a headstone or marker.
Application available on line at
FAX applications to
MAIL applications to:
Memorial Programs Service (41A1)
Department of Veterans Affairs
5109 Russell Road Quantico, VA

10. Veteran Medallion Benefit
P.L
Became available to the public in June 2010
Branch of Service
3 sizes; 5, 3 and 1.5 inches
In lieu of a headstone or marker
Death on or after November 1, 1990

11. Bronze Veteran Medallion
Application available on line at

12. Presidential Memorial Certificate
For honorably discharged Veterans
Inscribed with
the Veteran’s name
Bears the
President’s signature
As I mentioned earlier, families can also receive a Presidential Memorial Certificate.
These engraved certificates are inscribed with the Veteran’s name and bear the incumbent President’s signature.
This program was begun by President Kennedy and each subsequent president has carried on the tradition.
Eligibility for this benefit is slightly different from most of the others we provide, insofar as the Veteran must have been honorably discharged in order for his family to receive the certificate. In most other cases, the threshold is other than dishonorably discharged.
And that’s a perfect lead into my next slide, about eligibility.

13. Presidential Memorial Certificate
A copy of the deceased veteran's military discharge document along with a copy of the death certificate must be provided when requesting a PMC. Eligible recipients, or someone acting on their behalf, may request a PMC in person at any VA Regional Office, by U.S. mail or by toll-free fax.
Application available on line at
FAX applications to
MAIL applications to:
Presidential Memorial Certificates (41A1C)
National Cemetery Administration
5109 Russell Road Quantico, VA

14. Communicating With MPS
Applicant Assistance Unit
Toll-Free Telephone Number
IRIS
VA’s Internal Routing System that allows NCA/MPS to respond to questions routed from the VA website
MPS
MPS’ address to respond to inquiries from the public @

15. www.cem.va.gov NCA Website Latest application forms
Latest Legislative news
Latest instructions

16. Veterans Cemetery Grants Program

17. Veterans Cemetery Grant Service (VCGS)
Established in 1978 to complement VA’s NCA
VA seeks to provide Veterans cemetery within 75 miles of 90 % of the country’s Veterans.
Program helped establish, expand, or improve 86 Veterans cemeteries in 41 states and territories.
Provided more than 29,000 burials in 2011.
VA has awarded grants totaling more than $438 million.

18. Tribal Government Grants Final Rule Public Law 109-461
Sec Eligibility of Indian tribal organizations for grants for the establishment of veterans cemeteries on trust lands.

19. Grant Requirements
Granted only to states, federally recognized tribal government, or U.S. territories.
100% of the development cost for an approved project.
VA can provide for operating equipment for new cemeteries.
VA does not provide for acquisition of land.
Tribal governments cemeteries must be on tribal trust land
Must conform to NCA standards and guidelines for site selection, planning and construction.

20. Grant Requirements
Cemetery must conform to NCA standards and guidelines for site selection, planning and construction.
The land can only be used for cemetery purposes.
The cemetery should consider a 50 year life span at minimum
Develops in 10 year increments
VA can provide for operating equipment for new cemeteries.

21. Operations and Maintenance
Cemeteries must be operated solely for the burial of service members who die on active duty, veterans, and their eligible spouses and dependent children
Maintained and operated according to the operational standards and measures of NCA
Administration, operation, and maintenance is solely the responsibility of the state, territory or tribal government.
Plot or interment allowance $700 administered by the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA)

22. Grants Process Submit pre-application through grants.gov by July 1st .
Upon receipt VCGS will issue a viability letter to the applicant explaining next steps.
Grant Opportunity can be searched using (CFDA) Number ,
To receive the highest consideration the pre-application must include Certification of State or Tribal Matching Funds and State or Tribal Legislation supporting the project.

23. Matching Funds and Legislation
10% of the estimated grant amount.
Used to develop plans, drawings, and specifications.
Reimbursable at the time of grant award.
VA Form located on internet
Legislation
Commitment to own, operate and maintain a Veterans Cemetery in accordance with NCA Guidelines.

24. Project Priority Groups
Priority 1 - Projects for gravesite expansion or improvements that are needed to continue service at an existing veterans cemetery.
Priority 2 - Projects for the establishment of new cemeteries.
Priority 3 - Planned phased gravesite developments prior to need.
Priority 4 - Other improvements to cemetery that are not directly related to the development of new gravesites including O&M projects.

25. Selection Final Application and Award
Funding based on ranking and budget.
Opportunity letters sent to highest ranking projects first week of October.
Construction documents May 15
Final application package July 15
Funds obligated by September 30

26. VCGS Contact list Joshua de Leon, Director joshua.deleon@va.gov
(202)
Howard Orr, Project Manager
(202)
Tom Paquelet, Project Manager
(202)
LaQuisha Barnes, Program Specialist
(202)

27. …“to care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan”…

28. Please keep in touch! To stay current with NCA:
Visit our Website
Follow us on Twitter @VANatCemeteries
Become a fan on Facebook
Ladies and Gentlemen, that concludes my presentation.
We hope you will keep in touch with NCA throughout the year, by visiting our Webpage and signing up to follow us on Twitter and Facebook.
I appreciate being part of your agenda today.