VA Form 40-10007, Application for Pre-Need Determination of Eligibility for Burial in a VA National Cemetery
VA Form 40-10007 lets veterans, service members, and eligible family members find out in advance whether they qualify for burial in a VA national cemetery, sparing families that question at the time of need.
This is the genuine VA PDF, unmodified. Source: VA official page.
What is VA Form 40-10007?
Pre-need determination is planning, not scheduling. VA reviews your service and eligibility now and issues a decision letter your family can present when the time comes, which makes arranging a committal at a national cemetery much simpler. The determination covers eligibility for burial benefits such as the gravesite, opening and closing, a headstone or marker, and a burial flag for the veteran; it does not reserve a specific gravesite or specific cemetery.
The application collects the service member's or veteran's service history and the applicant's relationship, with supporting documents such as the DD214. Spouses and eligible dependent children can apply based on the veteran's service, and each person seeking a determination files their own application.
Who files VA Form 40-10007?
- Veterans who want advance confirmation of their national cemetery burial eligibility
- Active-duty service members planning ahead for themselves or family
- Spouses and surviving spouses applying based on the veteran's qualifying service
- Eligible dependent children, or family members applying on a veteran's behalf with supporting documents
How to fill out VA Form 40-10007
- Gather proof of service, ideally the DD214 or equivalent separation documents; the decision is faster with records attached.
- Complete the applicant section, and identify the veteran or service member whose service supports eligibility.
- Indicate your preferred cemetery if you have one, understanding the decision confirms eligibility rather than reserving a plot.
- Sign and date the application; a representative can sign with documentation of authority.
- Submit it to the National Cemetery Scheduling Office by mail or fax at the address in the instructions, or apply online at va.gov, then keep the decision letter with your important papers.
Quick fill VA Form 40-10007 on this page
Prefer to see the form itself while you type? Open VA Form 40-10007 in the editor to fill it on the actual pages, add a signature, and download.
Frequently asked questions
Does approval reserve a gravesite?
No. A pre-need decision confirms eligibility for burial in a VA national cemetery but does not reserve a specific site or guarantee space in a particular cemetery. Gravesites are assigned at the time of need.
Should my spouse file a separate application?
Yes. Each person wanting a pre-need determination files their own VA Form 40-10007, including spouses and eligible dependent children whose eligibility rests on the veteran's service.
What should my family do with the decision letter?
Keep it with your estate and funeral planning documents and tell your family where it is. At the time of need, the funeral home or family contacts the National Cemetery Scheduling Office, and the letter speeds up scheduling the committal.