Interment requests.
Interment requests. A personal representative, as defined in 38.600, may request interment of an eligible decedent in a national cemetery by contacting the National Cemetery Scheduling Office (NCSO) at 1-800-535-1117.
(1) Required information. VA will request the following information from the decedent's personal representative at the time of the request for interment to allow VA to schedule the interment for the decedent:
(i) Documentation of the decedent's eligibility for national cemetery interment. If needed, VA will make reasonable efforts to assist the personal representative in obtaining such documentation;
(ii) Preferred date and time for the interment;
(iii) Whether a committal service is requested (a committal service is not required);
(iv) Whether the remains are in a casket or urn. For cremated remains, the personal representative will be advised to present a certificate of cremation or other documentation sufficient to identify the decedent at the time of interment.
(v) The size of the casket or urn.
(vi) The contact information for the personal representative.
(vii) Whether a private vault will be provided to the national cemetery or a government-furnished grave liner is required.
(viii) Whether the personal representative intends to have funeral honors during the committal service, if the decedent is a veteran.
(ix) Other relevant information necessary to establish or confirm eligibility of the decedent and/or for cemetery logistics and planning.
(2) Interment requests pursuant to § 38.620(j).
(i) Consistent with paragraph (a)(1)(i) of this section, interment requests pursuant to § 38.620(j) must include the following:
(A) For decedents who were naturalized under section 2(1) of the Hmong Veterans Naturalization Act of 2000 (the Act), a copy of the official U.S. Certificate of Naturalization. (VA will verify with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services that the naturalization was pursuant to section 2(1) of the Act.)
(B) For decedents who were otherwise naturalized, a copy of the U.S. Certificate of Naturalization and documentation of the decedent's honorable service with a special guerilla unit or irregular forces operating from a base in Laos in support of the Armed Forces at any time between February 28, 1961, and May 7, 1975.
(C) For decedents who were not naturalized but were lawfully admitted for permanent residence in the U.S., a copy of the official documentation of status as a lawful permanent resident, and documentation of the decedent's honorable service with a special guerilla unit or irregular forces operating from a base in Laos in support of the Armed Forces at any time between February 28, 1961, and May 7, 1975.
(D) Evidence that the decedent resided in the U.S. at the time of death.
(ii) VA will accept the following types of documentation as evidence of service described in paragraphs (a)(2)(i)(B) and (C) of this section:
(A) Original documentation issued by a government agency officially documenting the service type, location, and dates served;
(B) An affidavit of the decedent's superior officer attesting to the type of service, location, and dates served;
(C) Two affidavits from other individuals who were also serving with such a special guerilla unit or irregular forces and who personally knew of the decedent's service; or
(D) Other appropriate evidence that factually documents the service, location, and dates served.
(iii) The DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, is not an appropriate documentation of service for purposes of paragraphs (a)(2)(i)(B) and (C) of this section.