Department of Veterans Affairs May 1, 2009 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is amending existing regulations regarding the authority to provide Government-furnished memorial headstones and markers. Memorial headstones or markers are provided in certain circumstances to memorialize eligible veterans and certain family members whose remains are not available for interment. Pursuant to Sec. 810 of Public Law 110-389, the Veterans' Benefits Improvement Act of 2008, eligibility for a memorial headstone or marker for placement in a national or State veterans cemetery has been extended to a veteran's surviving spouse who had a subsequent remarriage and whose remains are unavailable for interment. Previously, a memorial headstone or marker could be provided for a veteran's surviving spouse who had a subsequent remarriage only if that remarriage was terminated by death or divorce. This final rule is necessary to incorporate a statutory amendment into VA regulations.