WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has introduced a pilot program to provide environmentally sustainable burial options for Veterans and their eligible family members. The program, which is now underway, offers green burial sections at three VA national cemeteries and marks a significant step in addressing evolving preferences for interment options.
Participating Cemeteries and Program Details
Green burial sections are now available at the following VA national cemeteries:
- National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona in Phoenix, Arizona
- Pikes Peak National Cemetery in Colorado Springs, Colorado
- Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, Florida
Eligible individuals interested in green burials may request this interment option at these locations immediately.
Green burials are designed to minimize environmental impact by requiring that remains be prepared and buried using biodegradable materials. This means no chemicals or embalming fluids may be used. Remains must either be placed in biodegradable caskets or urns, or interred in a natural manner, such as being securely wrapped in biodegradable shrouds. The pilot program accommodates both cremated and intact remains for interment in the designated sections.
Legislative and Operational Background
The authority to establish green burial sections was granted through Public Law 117-355, known as the National Cemeteries Preservation and Protection Act of 2022. According to the VA, this legislative framework enables the department to offer alternatives that are consistent with environmental sustainability while maintaining the dignity and respect owed to Veterans and their families.
The National Cemetery Administration (NCA), the VA division responsible for overseeing national cemeteries, sought the authority to establish these dedicated sections to address increasing interest in environmentally conscious burial practices. “NCA is pleased to begin offering this new option to Veterans and their family members eligible for interment in a VA national cemetery,” said Acting Under Secretary for Memorial Affairs Ronald Walters. “This pilot reflects our commitment to understand and address the emerging burial preferences of Veterans and their loved ones.”
The pilot initiative will collect critical data to help the NCA refine its operational procedures and better inform communication with families. The findings from the pilot are also expected to inform future decisions about expanding green burial options to additional national cemeteries.
Continuing Commitment to Burial Options
While the establishment of dedicated green burial sections is new, VA cemeteries have historically accepted remains prepared in natural ways or presented in biodegradable containers for burial. These practices remain available at all open VA cemeteries across the nation, ensuring that Veterans and their families have a variety of interment options to reflect their preferences and values.
The VA’s green burial pilot program aligns with its broader mission to honor Veterans’ service through respectful and meaningful burial practices. Through this initiative, the department seeks to respond proactively to shifting consumer preferences, while promoting environmentally sustainable approaches to interment within its national cemeteries.
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