VA Form 40-1330: Claim for Standard Government Headstone or Marker
VA Form 40-1330 is the claim families and their representatives use to request a Government-furnished headstone or marker for the grave of an eligible deceased veteran or service member.
This is the genuine VA PDF, unmodified. Source: VA official page.
What is VA Form 40-1330?
VA Form 40-1330, Claim for Standard Government Headstone or Marker, asks the VA's National Cemetery Administration to furnish a headstone or marker for an eligible veteran at no charge. The form collects the veteran's identity and service information, the type of headstone or marker requested (upright headstone, flat marker in bronze, granite, or marble, or niche marker), the inscription, and where the marker will be placed.
The claim covers markers for graves in private cemeteries; graves in VA national cemeteries are handled through the cemetery at the time of interment. The form requires signatures from the applicant and from a cemetery or other responsible official who agrees to accept and place the marker, and it should be sent with a copy of the veteran's discharge documents (such as DD Form 214) whenever available.
Who files VA Form 40-1330?
- Next of kin of a deceased veteran or service member whose grave is unmarked
- A personal representative, or a family member authorized to act for the next of kin
- Funeral directors and cemetery officials preparing the claim on the family's behalf
- Others applying with the family's consent, as described in the form instructions
How to fill out VA Form 40-1330
- Enter the veteran's name, service details, and dates of birth and death, attaching a copy of the discharge documents if you have them.
- Choose the type of headstone or marker and complete the inscription information; check with the cemetery first, since some private cemeteries restrict marker types.
- Complete the delivery address and have the cemetery or other responsible official sign to confirm the marker will be accepted and placed.
- Sign and date the applicant certification.
- Mail or fax the completed claim to the VA's Memorial Products Service; the current address and toll-free fax number are printed in the form instructions.
Quick fill VA Form 40-1330 on this page
Prefer to see the form itself while you type? Open VA Form 40-1330 in the editor to fill it on the actual pages, add a signature, and download.
Frequently asked questions
Does the headstone or marker cost anything?
No. The Government furnishes the headstone or marker and ships it at no charge. However, private cemeteries may charge their own fee to place or set the marker, and the VA does not pay that cost.
Do I need this form for burial in a VA national cemetery?
Generally no. When a veteran is interred in a VA national cemetery, the headstone or marker is ordered as part of the interment arrangements. VA Form 40-1330 is mainly used for graves in private cemeteries.
What documents should I send with the claim?
Include a copy of the veteran's discharge or separation documents, such as DD Form 214, if available. Do not send originals. If you cannot locate service records, you can request them with SF-180 through the National Archives.