Honoring Veterans: Monument Benefits and How to Design a Lasting Tribute
For families of veterans, designing a monument is more than marking a final resting place—it’s about honoring a life of service and sacrifice. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provides important benefits to help families memorialize veterans, but many people are unaware of what is available or how to incorporate military service into the design of a monument.
VA Monument Benefits
The VA offers several options at no cost to eligible veterans, service members, and certain family members:
– Headstones and Markers – Available in granite, marble, or bronze, with styles including upright, flat, or niche markers.
– Niche Markers – For placement in columbaria (above-ground structures for cremated remains).
– Medallions – For veterans whose graves are already marked with a private monument, bronze medallions can be affixed to signify military service.
– Presidential Memorial Certificates – An engraved paper certificate signed by the sitting President to honor the veteran.
– Burial in National Cemeteries – Includes perpetual care of the gravesite, ensuring it is maintained with dignity.
Families can request these benefits through the monument builder or directly with the VA. Eligibility is based on the veteran’s service record.
Designing a Veteran’s Monument
If a family chooses a private monument, many ways exist to incorporate military service:
- Emblems of Faith and Service
The VA provides approved emblems (religious symbols, service branch insignias, and emblems of belief). These can be included on both VA-issued and private monuments. - Military Service Information
Include rank, branch of service, war service (e.g., WWII, Vietnam), or special honors such as Purple Heart or Bronze Star. - Symbols and Imagery
Designs might feature flags, eagles, or insignias that represent courage and sacrifice. For veterans with unique roles—such as aviators, medics, or engineers—symbols of those specialties can personalize the tribute. - Material and Shape
Traditional upright monuments in granite remain popular, but benches, custom shapes, or etched portraits can add individuality while still reflecting military pride. - Blending VA Benefits with Private Design
Some families choose to use a VA-issued marker alongside a larger family monument, creating a meaningful balance of official recognition and personal expression.
Final Thoughts
Honoring a veteran through a monument ensures their service is remembered by future generations. By combining VA benefits with thoughtful design, families can create a memorial that pays tribute to both the individual and their service to the nation.
To learn more about eligibility and available options, visit the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs website (www.va.gov) or contact Columbus Memorials for guidance. As a proud member of the Monument Builders of North America (MBNA), we are here to help; you can also look us up in the MBNA register at search.monumentbuilders.org.
Checklist: Preparing to Design a Veteran’s Monument
Use this checklist to gather the right information and documents before meeting with a monument builder.
- Confirm eligibility for VA benefits (service records, discharge papers/DD214).
- Decide whether to request a VA-issued headstone, marker, niche marker, or medallion.
- Gather personal information: full name, rank, branch of service, dates of birth and passing.
- Select any honors to include (Purple Heart, Bronze Star, etc.).
- Choose religious emblem or emblem of belief (if desired).
- Review cemetery regulations (size, style, and placement requirements).
- Consider whether to combine VA benefits with a private monument.
- Discuss design ideas: symbols, inscriptions, or images that reflect military service.
- Ask another family member to review all details before final approval.
Sources
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs – Headstones, Markers and Medallions: https://www.va.gov/burials-memorials/memorial-items/headstones-markers-medallions/
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs – Presidential Memorial Certificates: https://www.va.gov/burials-memorials/memorial-items/presidential-memorial-certificates/
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs – National Cemetery Administration: https://www.cem.va.gov/
