How Do You Schedule A Burial At Riverside National Cemetery?
Arranging a final resting place for a veteran or qualifying family member requires careful attention to detail. Riverside National Cemetery in Riverside, California, is one of the most active national cemeteries in the United States. It offers a dignified location to honor those who served in the military. Understanding how to schedule a burial at Riverside National Cemetery helps reduce confusion and allows families to focus on honoring their loved one’s memory. Whether you are arranging an immediate need service or planning ahead, following the established steps ensures a smooth process.
While the National Cemetery Administration manages all scheduling, working alongside a knowledgeable funeral home simplifies the paperwork, coordination, and transportation. Here is a comprehensive guide explaining how to schedule a burial at Riverside National Cemetery step by step.
Step 1: Determine Eligibility for Burial
Before submitting a request, you must confirm that the deceased qualifies for burial in a Department of Veterans Affairs national cemetery. Eligibility is determined by federal law and managed by the National Cemetery Scheduling Office.
Who Qualifies for Veterans Burial Benefits?
In general, eligible individuals include:
- Veterans who served on active duty and were discharged under conditions other than dishonorable.
- Service members who died while on active duty.
- Reservists and National Guard members who met specific service length requirements or were called to active duty.
- Spouses and dependent children of eligible veterans, even if the veteran dies after their spouse.
Locating Military Discharge Papers
To establish eligibility, you must provide official military discharge documents. The standard document is the DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty. Other official discharge papers from earlier conflicts are also acceptable. The document must show the veteran’s branch of service, active duty dates, and character of discharge.
If you cannot locate the DD Form 214, a licensed funeral director specializing in veterans funeral services can assist in requesting emergency copies from the National Archives or verifying records through VA databases.
Step 2: Decide on Burial Type and Merchandise
Before calling to schedule the time and date, you need to decide on the form of burial. Riverside National Cemetery accommodates both casketed interments and cremated remains.
Casketed Burials
For standard ground interments, the cemetery provides the grave site, opening and closing of the grave, a grave liner, and a permanent government headstone or marker at no cost to the family. Families must select an appropriate outer container or casket through their chosen funeral provider. You can view options in our catalog of burial caskets.
Cremation Interments
Riverside National Cemetery offers several options for cremated remains, including in-ground burial plots and above-ground columbarium niches. If choosing cremation, families should select a durable urn suited for placement in a niche or vault. Explore available options through our selection of cremation urns.
Step 3: Contact the National Cemetery Scheduling Office
Scheduling is handled centrally through the VA National Cemetery Scheduling Office (NCSO). You can handle this directly or have your funeral home manage the request for you.
Option A: Have Your Funeral Director Schedule the Service
Most families prefer to have their chosen funeral care provider coordinate with the VA directly. Funeral directors understand the required administrative procedures and communicate daily with the cemetery. When working with traditional burial service providers, your director will gather all military documentation, contact the scheduling office, submit the required paperwork, and confirm the service date and time for you.
Option B: Schedule Directly with the VA
If you choose to contact the scheduling office yourself, follow these steps:
- Gather the veteran’s full legal name, Social Security number, date of birth, date of death, and DD Form 214.
- Contact the National Cemetery Scheduling Office by phone.
- Fax or electronically transmit the military discharge documents to the scheduling office for verification.
- Provide information regarding whether the deceased is a veteran or a dependent, along with the desired burial type.
Once eligibility is confirmed, the agent will review available dates and time slots for Riverside National Cemetery.
Step 4: Coordinate Military Funeral Honors and Committal Services
When scheduling the burial, you must specify whether you would like military funeral honors included in the service. Military honors are available to all eligible veterans at no cost.
What Military Funeral Honors Include
By federal law, a military funeral honors detail consists of at least two uniformed military members. The honors service includes:
- The playing of Taps by a bugler or electronic recording.
- The ceremonial folding of the United States flag.
- The presentation of the flag to the next of kin or designated representative.
Depending on branch availability and veteran status, additional honors such as a rifle volley or pallbearers may be provided.
Understanding Committal Shelter Services
Due to the size of Riverside National Cemetery and the number of daily services, committal services take place in designated outdoor covered shelters rather than directly at the specific grave plot. Each committal service is generally allocated 20 to 30 minutes. Funeral services or formal religious ceremonies are usually held beforehand at a funeral home or church. Families interested in adding personal touches before heading to the cemetery can learn more about personalized funeral options.
Step 5: Prepare for the Day of the Service
Proper preparation ensures that the day of the burial proceeds smoothly for family and guests attending the service at Riverside National Cemetery.
Arrival Procedures at Riverside National Cemetery
On the scheduled day, the funeral procession or family members should arrive at the cemetery main entrance roughly 15 to 20 minutes prior to the scheduled time slot. Cemetery staff or public safety officers will direct vehicles to a designated staging lane corresponding to your assigned committal shelter.
Moving to the Committal Shelter
At the exact service time, a cemetery representative will lead the vehicle procession from the staging area to the shelter. The brief committal service, including military honors and brief clergy remarks, will take place under the shelter. After the service concludes, guests return to their vehicles, and cemetery personnel complete the interment after visitors depart.
Frequently Asked Questions About Riverside National Cemetery
Can You Reserve a Grave Site in Advance at Riverside National Cemetery?
No, the VA does not reserve specific grave sites in advance at national cemeteries. Graves are assigned on the day of burial based on available space. However, veterans can apply for pre-need eligibility determination. This process verifies eligibility ahead of time so documents are already on file when needed. Learn more about proactive arrangements through advance funeral planning.
Is There Any Cost for Burial at Riverside National Cemetery?
Burial benefits for eligible veterans at a national cemetery include the grave site, opening and closing costs, a vault or liner, a headstone or marker, and perpetual care at zero cost to the family. For eligible spouses and dependents, burial is also provided without cost for the site and liner, though commercial funeral home costs for transportation, embalming, or caskets still apply. For details on related questions, visit our guide on frequently asked funeral questions.
How Long Does it Take to Finalize a Headstone?
After interment, the cemetery orders an inscribed marker or headstone based on details confirmed by the family. Inscription options include full legal name, branch of service, years of birth and death, rank, and optional emblems of belief. You can review available inscription styles through our guide on monuments and headstones. Installation typically occurs within several weeks following the burial service.
Get Professional Guidance for Veteran Burial Planning
Scheduling a burial at Riverside National Cemetery requires accurate record verification and timely communication with federal authorities. Having professional guidance takes the burden off your family during a emotional time. To receive expert assistance with military discharge verification, paperwork submission, or service coordination, please contact Walker Family Funeral Services today.