State Veteran Cemeteries in South Dakota: A guide for veteran families

South Dakota at a glance

• 16 funeral homes confirmed to provide veteran-specific services.
• 7 veteran cemeteries operating in-state (Black Hills National Cemetery, Fort Meade National Cemetery, Hot Springs National Cemetery, South Dakota Veterans Cemetery, Akicita Owicahe Lakota Freedom Veterans Cemetery, Sicangu Akicita Owicahe Veterans Cemetery, plus 1 more).
• Direct cremation pricing data not yet aggregated for South Dakota.
• Basic burial pricing data not yet aggregated for South Dakota.

How federal benefits apply in South Dakota

The federal VA burial allowance applies the same way in South Dakota as in every other state: $948 for non-service-connected death, up to $2,000 for service-connected. The allowance is paid to whoever paid the funeral home — survivor, friend, or estate. The claim is filed on VA Form 21P-530EZ and most veteran-friendly South Dakota funeral homes file it on the family's behalf at no charge.

South Dakota families burying at one of the state's 7 veteran cemeteries pay nothing for plot, opening and closing, perpetual care, headstone, or burial flag. The funeral home handles transportation; the cemetery handles the rest.

Veteran cemeteries in South Dakota

The following veteran cemeteries operate in South Dakota. Eligibility follows the federal standard plus, for state-operated cemeteries, South Dakota residency at the time of death (or, for veterans, at the time of entry into active service).

• Black Hills National Cemetery
• Fort Meade National Cemetery
• Hot Springs National Cemetery
• South Dakota Veterans Cemetery
• Akicita Owicahe Lakota Freedom Veterans Cemetery
• Sicangu Akicita Owicahe Veterans Cemetery
• Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate Veterans Cemetery

Procedure for South Dakota families

1. Locate the veteran's DD-214. If missing, request a replacement from the National Personnel Records Center using Standard Form 180 (4–6 weeks during normal demand).
2. Choose a South Dakota funeral home that accepts assignment of VA benefits — most homes in our directory do at no extra charge.
3. Sign VA Form 21P-530EZ at the funeral home; the home submits the form on your behalf.
4. If burial at a South Dakota veteran cemetery is desired, the funeral home calls the National Cemetery Scheduling Office at 1-800-535-1117 to reserve a date.
5. Request military funeral honors — at no cost — through the funeral home, who contacts the deceased's last unit or the nearest active-duty installation. For requests inside 72 hours, call 1-877-MIL-HONR (1-877-645-4667).

Where South Dakota families get help

South Dakota Department of Veterans Affairs is the operational counterpart for state-administered burial benefits, which may supplement the federal allowance. State-level benefits vary widely; check the state department's burial-benefits page for current details.

Veterans Service Officers (VSO) at South Dakota's VFW posts, American Legion chapters, and AMVETS detachments file federal burial-benefit claims at no cost. Most South Dakota counties also have a county veterans affairs office that operates as a VSO.

National Cemetery Scheduling Office (1-800-535-1117) is the operational line for cemetery scheduling, available 24/7.

Timeline expectations

Same-day — burial scheduling at a VA national cemetery once documentation is in place. The National Cemetery Scheduling Office can issue a burial date within 30–60 minutes of a complete file.

24–72 hours — typical VA national cemetery burial date once scheduled.

60–90 days — burial allowance claim payment after a complete VA Form 21P-530EZ submission.

90–120 days — government headstone or marker shipment after VA Form 40-1330 approval.

6–8 weeks — Presidential Memorial Certificate processing after VA Form 40-0247 submission.

4–6 weeks — DD-214 replacement from the National Personnel Records Center during normal demand. Peak demand (around Memorial Day, Veterans Day) can push this to 8–10 weeks.

Where to get help

VA Burial Benefits help line: 1-800-827-1000 — 8am–9pm Eastern, weekdays. Operators can pre-screen eligibility and answer specific questions.

National Cemetery Scheduling Office: 1-800-535-1117 — 24/7, for active funeral arrangements only. Not for general questions.

DoD Honors Coordination: 1-877-MIL-HONR (1-877-645-4667) — for honors requests inside 72 hours of service time.

Veterans Service Officers (VSO) at VFW, American Legion, AMVETS, DAV, or county Veterans Affairs offices — file claims and appeals at no charge.

VA.gov — official documentation, downloadable forms, claim status tracking.