NY State Veterans Cemetery
Free burial with honors at the New York State Veterans Cemetery at Finger Lakes for eligible veterans and their spouses.
Who qualifies
- Available to any veteran
- New York residency
Details
Eligibility
Veteran discharged under conditions OTHER than dishonorable. Enlisted personnel entering active duty after September 7, 1980 and officers commissioned after October 16, 1981 must have served 24 consecutive months unless killed in action. Individuals discharged for disability/hardship, reservists eligible for retirement, and National Guard/Reservists with 6 continuous years of honorable service (per the Burial Equity Act) also qualify.
Family eligibility
Legal spouse and eligible dependent children may also be buried at the cemetery. State residency is not addressed on the NYS DVS page — confirm with the cemetery.
Covers
A 30-minute Final Committal service at the Committal Shelter. Marble headstones are ordered by the cemetery after burial is complete. Cost: contact the cemetery for the dependent's burial fee — dependent burials may carry a fee that is not necessarily covered.
Federal vs. state cemeteries: The Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery and Long Island National Cemetery are FEDERAL (VA) national cemeteries, not state-operated facilities.
How to apply
For the NY State Veterans Cemetery at Finger Lakes, scheduling is via 1-888-838-7697 (NYS DVS). For federal national cemeteries, contact the National Cemetery Scheduling Office at 1-800-535-1117. Pre-need eligibility determinations can be submitted using VA Form 40-10007.
Always confirm current rates and rules with the New York state agency before applying.
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