VA National Cemeteries
Burial at Nashville National Cemetery: A family guide
Madison, Tennessee · national cemetery · unknown
Nashville National Cemetery is a national cemetery serving veteran families in Tennessee. Eligible veterans, spouses, and dependent children may be buried at no cost. Below: the cemetery's history (where documented), eligibility specifics, and the procedure Tennessee families follow to schedule a burial.
Eligibility for burial at Nashville National Cemetery
Eligibility for burial at Nashville National Cemetery follows the federal standard for national cemeteries: any veteran discharged under conditions other than dishonorable, with at least 24 months of continuous active service (or discharged for service-connected disability), is eligible. Spouses and dependent children may be buried alongside.
The Department of Veterans Affairs covers the grave plot, opening and closing of the grave, perpetual care, a government-furnished headstone or marker, and a U.S. burial flag at no cost to eligible families.
How to schedule a burial at Nashville National Cemetery
- The funeral home or family contacts the National Cemetery Scheduling Office at 1-800-535-1117 (24/7 for active funeral arrangements).
- Provide the veteran's full name, date of birth, social security number, dates of service, branch, and date of death.
- Fax or email the DD-214 to the cemetery's interment office for verification.
- Once eligibility is confirmed (typically 30–60 minutes for complete documentation), the cemetery assigns a date, time, and committal shelter.
- The funeral home transports the deceased to Nashville National Cemetery at the assigned time. The cemetery handles opening, closing, and perpetual care from that point.
Where Nashville National Cemetery sits in the Tennessee cemetery system
Nashville National Cemetery is one of the veteran cemeteries operating in Tennessee. The cemetery is currently operating with limited burial availability. Families should verify status before planning.
For families considering alternatives, the nearest veteran cemeteries appear in our cemetery sidebar. If Nashville National Cemetery is fully reserved, those alternatives are typically the next options.
Common Questions
Frequently asked
Is burial at Nashville National Cemetery free for the family?
Yes, for eligible veterans, spouses, and dependent children. The VA covers plot, opening and closing, perpetual care, headstone or marker, and a U.S. burial flag. The funeral home's transportation and any pre-burial services are the only out-of-pocket costs.
Can I reserve a specific plot at Nashville National Cemetery in advance?
Generally no. The cemetery assigns plots in order. Pre-need reservation is available in narrow circumstances (Medal of Honor recipients, members buried alongside an already-interred spouse). For plot choice, families typically use a private cemetery with a VA-furnished marker.
What if Nashville National Cemetery is full or closed to new burials?
If Nashville National Cemetery reaches full reservation, families can bury at any other open VA national or state veteran cemetery. The funeral home contacts the National Cemetery Scheduling Office to identify the nearest open cemetery.
Are military funeral honors provided at Nashville National Cemetery?
Yes. Military funeral honors — flag fold, presentation, Taps — are provided at no cost by the deceased's branch of service at any VA national, state, or tribal veteran cemetery. The funeral home arranges the honors detail.
EverSettled · After the Veteran Funeral
The veteran's spouse may qualify for VA Dependency & Indemnity Compensation.
DIC is a tax-free monthly benefit for surviving spouses, dependent children, and (in some cases) parents of veterans whose death is service-connected. EverSettled walks veteran families through DIC eligibility, survivor pension, life-insurance claims, probate, and the federal-account paperwork that follows.
Begin Veteran Estate SettlementRelated Reading