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State Veterans Cemeteries
Eligibility Requirements
The following persons are eligible for interment at a North Carolina State Veterans Cemetery.
A Qualified Veteran
Any former member of the U.S. Armed Forces whose service on active duty, other than for training, was terminated under honorable conditions. A veteran who is entitled to retired pay for non-regular service (i.e. service in the Reserve Components, Army or Air National Guard) or a veteran who would have been entitled to retired pay for non-regular service, but for the fact that the person was under 60 years of age.
North Carolina Residency
Only those veterans who are legal residents of North Carolina
The spouse, widow, or widower of a qualified veteran, or a minor child who is unmarried and dependent of the qualified veteran at the time of death. For purposes of definition, a "minor child" includes a child under 21 years of age or under 23 years of age if pursuing a course of instruction at an educational institution approved by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs. \
In addition, an unmarried adult child of a qualified veteran who became permanently incapable of self-support because of a physical or mental disability before attaining the age of 18 years is also eligible.
Definitions
The following definitions shall apply unless the context requires otherwise.
Honorable Military Service
Documentary evidence is required to provide proof and substantiate claim of military service, residence, marriage, children as well as dependent disability. It is the responsibility of the veteran, his survivors or legal representative to furnish any evidence necessary to establish the eligibility of the veteran or the family member before interment in a North Carolina State Veterans Cemetery will be approved.
Proof of Honorable Military Service
If the veteran cannot provide proof of entry into service from North Carolina, 2 documents of proof are required to establish residency. Preferred documents are NC Voter Registration, NC State Personal Income Tax, NC State Property Tax, W2 Form showing NC Income Tax paid or Deed of Trust to home. Other documents that can be considered are school records, bank records, mortgages, or official records from state or municipal agencies. The NC Driver's License cannot be accepted as proof or residency.
Proof of Dependency
The primary document for verification of a spouse, is a marriage certificate. Dependent children may be verified by a birth certificate or other legal documents such as adoption papers. For an adult dependent, a letter is required from the dependent's physician certifying that the dependent became permanently incapable of self-support because of a physical or mental disability before attaining the age of 18 years.
General Information
The following persons are eligible for interment at a North Carolina State Veterans Cemetery.
A Qualified Veteran
Any former member of the U.S. Armed Forces whose service on active duty, other than for training, was terminated under honorable conditions. A veteran who is entitled to retired pay for non-regular service (i.e. service in the Reserve Components, Army or Air National Guard) or a veteran who would have been entitled to retired pay for non-regular service, but for the fact that the person was under 60 years of age.
North Carolina Residency
Only those veterans who are legal residents of North Carolina
- At the time of death
- For a period of at least 10 years
- At the time of entry into the Armed Forces of the United States are eligible for interment
The spouse, widow, or widower of a qualified veteran, or a minor child who is unmarried and dependent of the qualified veteran at the time of death. For purposes of definition, a "minor child" includes a child under 21 years of age or under 23 years of age if pursuing a course of instruction at an educational institution approved by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs. \
In addition, an unmarried adult child of a qualified veteran who became permanently incapable of self-support because of a physical or mental disability before attaining the age of 18 years is also eligible.
Definitions
The following definitions shall apply unless the context requires otherwise.
Honorable Military Service
- Service on active duty, other than for training, as member of the Armed Forces of the United States, when the service was terminated under honorable conditions.
- Service on active duty as a member of the Armed Forces of the United States at the time of death under honorable conditions.
- Service on active duty for training or full-time service as member of the Reserved component of the Armed Forces, the Army National Guard, the Air National guard, or the Reserve Officer Training Corps of the Army, Navy, or Air Force at the time of death under honorable conditions.
- A person whose principal residence or abode is in this state, who uses this state to establish his right to vote and other rights in this state, and who intends to live in this state, to the exclusion of maintaining a legal residence in any other state.
Documentary evidence is required to provide proof and substantiate claim of military service, residence, marriage, children as well as dependent disability. It is the responsibility of the veteran, his survivors or legal representative to furnish any evidence necessary to establish the eligibility of the veteran or the family member before interment in a North Carolina State Veterans Cemetery will be approved.
Proof of Honorable Military Service
- The primary document used to verify honorable military service is the DD Form 214 or an equivalent. The DD Form 214 is more commonly called a discharge or "Report of Separation from Active Duty." Other forms of proof are acceptable pending verification. Veterans who are unable to find their DD Form 214 should contact the local Veterans Services office for assistance in obtaining a replacement copy.
- Veterans claiming eligibility through service in the Reserve Components or National Guard must present a "20-year letter" or proof of eligibility to receive retired pay or proof of receiving retired pay.
If the veteran cannot provide proof of entry into service from North Carolina, 2 documents of proof are required to establish residency. Preferred documents are NC Voter Registration, NC State Personal Income Tax, NC State Property Tax, W2 Form showing NC Income Tax paid or Deed of Trust to home. Other documents that can be considered are school records, bank records, mortgages, or official records from state or municipal agencies. The NC Driver's License cannot be accepted as proof or residency.
Proof of Dependency
The primary document for verification of a spouse, is a marriage certificate. Dependent children may be verified by a birth certificate or other legal documents such as adoption papers. For an adult dependent, a letter is required from the dependent's physician certifying that the dependent became permanently incapable of self-support because of a physical or mental disability before attaining the age of 18 years.
General Information
- There is no charge for burial of a qualified veteran at any state veterans cemetery. There is however, a burial fee for the interment of a spouse or dependent.
- A concrete vault or liner is required for a casket burial. Payment for the vault or liner is the responsibility of the veteran or his family. No vault or liner is required for a cremation.
- All funeral expenses are the responsibility or the veteran, family or estate. The state veterans cemeteries provide a burial plot, opening and closing of the grave, grave marker and installation, and perpetual care at no cost to the veteran.
- There are no graveside services. Instead, services are held at a committal shelter or chapel on site in the cemeteries.
- Caskets may not be opened for viewing at the state veterans cemeteries. Viewings must be done at the funeral homes or locations other than the veterans cemeteries.
- The cemeteries are open for business, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Because of limited staff, burial services can only be scheduled at 10 a.m., Noon or 2 p.m.
- State Veterans Cemeteries do not perform burial services on Saturday or Sunday.