VA National Cemeteries
Burial at Yellowstone National Cemetery: A family guide
Laurel, Montana · national cemetery · open
Yellowstone National Cemetery was transferred from Yellowstone County Veterans Cemetery to the National Cemetery Administration on Memorial Day, May 26, 2014. Eligible veterans, spouses, and dependent children may be buried at Yellowstone National Cemetery at no cost. Below: the cemetery's history, notable veterans interred there, eligibility specifics, visiting hours, and the procedure Montana families follow to schedule a burial.
History of Yellowstone National Cemetery
Yellowstone National Cemetery was transferred from Yellowstone County Veterans Cemetery to the National Cemetery Administration on Memorial Day, May 26, 2014.
Notable veterans buried at Yellowstone National Cemetery
The National Cemetery Administration documents the following veterans of note buried at Yellowstone National Cemetery, listed by section and site as recorded in the cemetery's official register.
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Eligibility for burial at Yellowstone National Cemetery
Planning ahead for a Veteran's or loved-one's final resting place can eliminate unnecessary delays and reduce stress on a family at a difficult time.
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.
Visiting hours
Visitation Hours: Open daily from sunrise to sunset. Office Hours at Billings VA Community Based Outpatient Clinic: Monday thru Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Closed federal holidays. VA will continue its practice of honoring special requests for weekend burials for religious purposes, in cases of service members killed in action and on at least one day of any three-day Federal holiday weekend at all open VA national cemeteries.
How to schedule a burial at Yellowstone 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 Yellowstone National Cemetery at the assigned time. The cemetery handles opening, closing, and perpetual care from that point.
Where Yellowstone National Cemetery sits in the Montana cemetery system
Yellowstone National Cemetery is one of the veteran cemeteries operating in Montana. The cemetery is currently accepting new in-ground and columbarium interments. Families should verify status before planning.
For families considering alternatives, the nearest veteran cemeteries appear in our cemetery sidebar. If Yellowstone National Cemetery is fully reserved, those alternatives are typically the next options.
Common Questions
Frequently asked
Is burial at Yellowstone 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 Yellowstone 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 Yellowstone National Cemetery is full or closed to new burials?
If Yellowstone 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 Yellowstone 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