WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Senator Andy Kim (D-N.J.)introduced the Protecting Our Veterans’ Memories Act to help state-run veteran cemeteries properly honor veterans’ loved ones for their service to our nation and make sure their families don’t get saddled with unnecessary out-of-pocket costs while grieving the loss of a family member.

The bill would break down burial inequities by providing states’ Departments of Veterans Affairs with partial reimbursement for costs associated with the funerals and burials of veterans’ spouses and dependents in state veteran cemeteries. Currently, the reimbursement only goes to veterans’ burials. Senator Kim first introduced this legislation alongsideCongresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), who reintroduced the same legislation again today in the House of Representatives.

“We have a sacred responsibility to honor all of our military community’s service to our nation throughout their lives and after they’ve passed,” said Senator Kim. “This legislation can deliver veterans’ families the tangible support and honor they deserve while furthering critical assistance to the hallowed cemeteries who carefully look after these families’ memories and give them a peaceful final resting place alongside their loved ones.”

“Our veterans and their families have sacrificed to defend our country and keep it free,” said Congresswoman Watson Coleman. “It is within our power to ensure that those families can be buried together if they so choose. This bill is just one small way we can help ensure that a grateful nation can help them fulfill their final wishes.”

The Protecting Our Veterans’ Memories Act would authorize the VA to provide a plot allowance to state, local, and tribal cemeteries that inter the spouse or dependent of an eligible veteran. This commonsense update to federal law ensures parity between federal and state veterans’ cemeteries and affirms our commitment to honoring veterans by caring for their families.

Currently, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provides a plot or internment allowance only for the burial of veterans in non-federal cemeteries. This leaves many state veterans’ cemeteries – which serve nearly half of all interred veterans nationwide – without federal support when burying a veterans’ spouse or dependent. Families often face out-of-pocket costs simply because of where their loved one is buried.

The legislation is endorsed by the New Jersey Veterans of Foreign Wars (NJ VFW). 

“The Department of NJ VFW is proud to support this bill both in the House and Senate. This will go a long way in equalizing the entitlement of burial rights in State run cemeteries for spouses and dependents. This is long overdue,” said the Department of NJ Veterans of Foreign Wars. 

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