The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) furnishes upon request, at no charge to the applicant, a Government headstone or marker to mark the grave of a veteran, including a Revolutionary War soldier or sailor.  Individual or group memorial markers are provided for Revolutionary War veterans whose remains or grave cannot be identified.

The applicant should be assured that the grave is unmarked with a tombstone of any sort before ordering a free government marker.  An applicant is one who has knowledge of the deceased and can furnish proof of wartime service.

Although shipment is at government expense, arrangements for setting the marker in a private cemetery or grave are the applicant's responsibility and all placement costs are at private expense.

Six different types are available from flat bronze markers to upright marble or granite ones that weigh 230 lbs.  Delivery of the bronze marker is usually by FedEx or UPS.  Others may be brought by common carrier.   Do not use a Post Office Box.  Delivery may be made to an alternate address by obtaining a signature and telephone number of the other recipient.

Use the VA Form 40-1330 available on the web site www.cem.va.gov.  Submit page 3 of the form.  Page 1, 2 and 4 contain information.

Information about the Patriot is normally limited, so when not available, insert NA in the blocks necessary.  Ignore the SSN and record what you know.   Under block 13, type or write Sons of the American Revolution.  Complete blocks 19-21 only if you are having someone else receiving the delivery, such as a marker ordered for your ancestor buried in another state.  You can normally complete box 24 by inserting NA, as these graves are not normally in modern church cemeteries.  If it is, you should get the required signature and telephone number.

Only one page (item) of proof of service need be submitted with the FAX.   This may be available from the documentation submitted on your SAR application.   Remember that only service members are eligible for a free marker.

In block 27, Remarks, include the inscription that you desire.

If the cemetery is currently maintained, permission should be requested of the appropriate official with the signature recorded in block 24, otherwise, enter NA.

Print out the completed form, prepare a letter of transmittal and FAX it with the appropriate documentation to the number listed on the form.  You can check later on the status of your request by calling 1-888-367-1330.

Alternately, VA Form 40-1330 and the VA Pamphlet 40-107 “Headstone and Marker Program” may be obtained at the nearest VA Regional Office or by writing to the Memorial Services Office, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue NW, Washington, D.C. 20420-0001.  The completed application may be mailed to the same address.  Be sure to add a letter of transmittal and proof of service.  This method will take longer than faxing the application.

  Ordering the Government Marker using VA Form 40-1330

  Reporting a Grave Site

Installations are made in a variety of ways.  Funeral Directors can arrange this for a fee.  It’s more rewarding to use a work crew of SAR’s who are usually honored to do the job.  The upright marble or granite marker should be inserted at least 12” into the ground, resting on a bed of pea gravel, and tamped in with dirt around all sides.  The flat marble or granite marker may be treated in similar fashion.

One method of installing the flat bronze marker is to construct a box frame of 1”x3” boards to fit the size of the marker and lined with plastic.  The bronze marker is placed upside down and a 60 lbs Bag of Sacrete is mixed and poured into the frame.  When dry the marker is removed.  The 18 lbs marker is now 78 lbs.  At the grave site, a hole is dug deep enough to accommodate another 60-lbs bag of Sacrete which is poured in dry and leveled.  The marker should appear about 1 ˝ inches above ground.  The cement will set up from ground moisture, making the marker now 138 lbs – enough to discourage vandals.