Spouses and dependent family members may be buried in the same plot regardless of date of death.

VA Cemeteries closest to Elgin include:

• Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery, Elwood, IL
• Fort Sheridan National Cemetery, Fort Sheridan, IL*
  *At this time only accepting burial of cremated remains or full-body burial for spouses already buried there.
• Rock Island Confederate Cemetery, Rock Island, IL

Formal Funeral Services are not held at VA Cemeteries, but a final committal service can be performed at the cemetery. At Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery, the committal service is held at a shelter, not graveside.

At the time of the burial, the VA will provide — at no cost to the veteran’s family — a gravesite, headstone or marker, Presidential Memorial Certificate, U.S. Flag, opening and closing the grave, and perpetual care of the gravesite.

For more information regarding burial benefits, click here.  Answers to frequently asked questions can be found here.

If you have a loved one buried at a VA Cemetery, the gravesite can be located here.

Please be aware that no federal funding is available for purchasing gravesites, opening and closing, or the installation of private headstones at private cemeteries.

The VA will provide a standard veteran headstone or marker in a private cemetery at no cost, but the setting fees will be at the veteran’s expense.

If the veteran chooses burial in a private cemetery with a private headstone, the Department of Veteran Affairs will provide a medallion to identify veteran status at no cost to the family.