Mississippi VA operates two Veterans Cemeteries in Newton and Kilmichael, where we offer a variety of burial options for Veterans, spouses and dependents. We are especially aware of the sacrifices and hardships endured by our nation’s Veterans and their families and aim to demonstrate the utmost sensitivity and compassion to those who have suffered a great loss. Thank you for considering a Mississippi Veteran Memorial Cemetery.

Scheduling a burial for a Veteran or other family member

To start, you may want to choose a funeral director to help you plan the burial. Then, you or the funeral director must take the following steps to schedule the burial.

1. Gather the information and documents you’ll need to identify the deceased when you call the Cemetery Office.

   • You’ll need the DD214 and/or other discharge documents of the Veteran or service member whose eligibility will be determined for burial in one of our Veterans Memorial Cemeteries. Their discharge from service needs to have been under conditions other than dishonorable.

2. Decide on the burial details and gather all related information. You’ll need to tell us:

   • Which cemetery you’ve chosen - Veterans Memorial Cemetery at Kilmichael or Newton

   • Type of burial - Casket or Cremation (along with the size of the casket or cremation urn)

   • Any religious emblem or optional inscription you’d prefer on the headstone or marker.

3. Contact the Cemetery Office - The funeral director you’ve chosen can help you with these steps as well:

   • For burial in our Veterans Memorial Cemeteries, fax any discharge papers/information to the Cemetery Office.

   • Note - All burials at our Veterans Memorial Cemeteries occur Monday through Friday.

Military funeral honors and the committal service

What happens during a committal service for a Veteran or Servicemember?

A cemetery representative will meet you and give you the deceased’s burial documents when you arrive at the cemetery. They’ll lead you and others who are gathered to honor the deceased to a committal shelter. The committal service occurs at this location, not at the gravesite, and lasts about 20 minutes. The burial happens after the committal service.

Note: Please be aware that viewing facilities aren’t available at national cemeteries, and the family must arrange for funeral services at a different location.

The family may have readings by a friend, family member, or clergy member of their faith. They may also request that military funeral honors be performed at the committal shelter. Arrange for military funeral honors through your funeral director.

Military funeral honors may include:

• The playing of “TAPS”

• A rifle detail

• A color guard

• Uniformed service members who present the burial flag

Burial Equity Act - Does It Impact You

As of July 1, 2024, Mississippi state law allows certain National Guardsmen and Reservists to be buried at our Newton and Kilmichael locations. Under this law, all costs related to a burial are approximately $950 per Veteran, spouse and/or dependent, plus an additional $115 for niche cover costs (cremation in a columbarium) OR $445 for at our cemeteries (casket or cremation buried-in-ground) must be paid directly to our cemetery via cashier check or money order. Cemetery/memorial services can only be rendered once all funds are received.

 To view the state law relating to the Act, click here. If you have any questions regarding the Burial Equity Act, contact one of our cemeteries for more information.

National Cemetery Administration Adds Options for Commemorative Plaques and Urns

Families of deceased and cremated Veterans can apply to receive commemorative plaques or urns from the Federal Department of Veterans Affairs if they do not want to inter their loved ones in a VA National Cemetery or receive a government-furnished headstone, marker, or medallion for placement in any cemetery.

 Commemorative urns hold the remains of a deceased cremated Veteran, and commemorative plaques are designed to hang on a wall. The urns and the plaques honor a Veteran's service and serve as a lasting tribute to the individual's status as a Veteran. Eligible family members can request one or the other, but not both. If you have any questions regarding plaque and urn benefits, contact one of our cemeteries for more information.