If you're a wartime veteran living in Maryland (or your family is planning ahead), you may qualify for burial in one of the state's veterans cemeteries. Eligibility depends on your discharge status, the period you served, and your connection to Maryland. Here's how it works and what you need to know before making arrangements.

Who qualifies as a wartime veteran for Maryland cemetery eligibility?

Maryland defines wartime service using the same federal periods recognized by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. To be considered a wartime veteran, you must have served active duty during one of these recognized periods:

• World War II: December 7, 1941 – December 31, 1946
• Korean War: June 27, 1950 – January 31, 1955
• Vietnam War: February 28, 1961 – May 7, 1975 (for those who served in the Republic of Vietnam; otherwise August 5, 1964 – May 7, 1975)
• Gulf War: August 2, 1990 – present
• Global War on Terror: September 11, 2001 – present

You don't need to have served in a combat zone. Active duty service during a recognized wartime period counts, even if you were stationed stateside. Members of the National Guard and Reserves may also qualify if they were called to federal active duty during one of these periods.

What are the basic eligibility requirements for Maryland state veterans cemeteries?

Maryland operates several state veterans cemeteries, and eligibility is based on both federal VA standards and state-specific rules. To be buried in a Maryland veterans cemetery, the veteran generally must meet all of the following:

• Received a discharge under conditions other than dishonorable
• Served on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces (not solely for training purposes, in most cases)
• Meets one of the Maryland residency or connection requirements (more on this below)

Spouses, minor children, and certain dependent adult children may also be eligible for burial alongside the veteran, even if they pass away before the veteran does.

Which Maryland cemeteries accept wartime veterans?

Maryland maintains three active state veterans cemeteries:

1. Garrison Forest Veterans Cemetery – Owings Mills (Baltimore County). This is the largest state veterans cemetery in Maryland and the primary option for most families in the Baltimore-Washington metro area.
2. Cheltenham Veterans Cemetery – Cheltenham (Prince George's County). Managed jointly with the federal government, this cemetery serves veterans in the southern Maryland and D.C. area.
3. Eastern Shore Veterans Cemetery – Hurlock (Dorchester County). This serves veterans and families on the Eastern Shore of Maryland.

Cheltenham is a federal-state cemetery that provides burial with full military honors, while Garrison Forest and the Eastern Shore facility are purely state-operated. All three offer in-ground casket burial, cremation niches, and columbarium options.

Do I need to be a Maryland resident to be buried there?

This is one of the most common questions, and the answer isn't a simple yes or no. Maryland state veterans cemeteries give priority to:

• Veterans who were Maryland residents at the time of death
• Veterans who were Maryland residents at the time of entry into military service
• Veterans who have an immediate family member buried in a Maryland veterans cemetery

If a veteran doesn't meet these conditions, burial may still be possible depending on available space, but Maryland residents are given preference. Families relocating to Maryland after a veteran's death elsewhere can still apply, but should contact the cemetery directly to discuss availability.

What documents do I need to prove eligibility?

You'll need to gather several documents before applying. Having these ready saves time and prevents delays during a stressful period:

• DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) – This is the most important document. It shows your dates of service, character of discharge, and whether you served during a wartime period.
• Death certificate
• Proof of Maryland residency (if applicable) – driver's license, voter registration, or similar documentation
• Marriage certificate (if the spouse is also being interred)
• Birth certificates for dependents (if applicable)

If you can't locate the DD-214, you can request a copy through the National Archives eVetRecs system. This process can take several weeks, so start early if you're planning ahead.

How much does burial in a Maryland veterans cemetery cost?

Maryland state veterans cemeteries do not charge for the grave, opening and closing, headstone, or perpetual care for the veteran. That's a significant cost savings compared to private cemeteries. Families may still be responsible for:

• Funeral home services (embalming, casket or urn, transportation)
• Optional outer burial containers (vaults), which some cemeteries require

Spouse and dependent burials may involve a modest fee for the plot and related services, though it's still far less than private cemetery costs. If you're comparing costs, our state-by-state funeral cost breakdown shows how Maryland stacks up.

Some states also offer burial allowances for certain family members. For example, Wyoming provides burial allowances for Gold Star families, and Nebraska has allowances specific to disabled veterans. Maryland doesn't have a comparable state burial allowance program, but federal VA burial benefits still apply.

Can wartime veterans buried elsewhere be moved to a Maryland veterans cemetery?

Yes, disinterment and reburial in a state veterans cemetery is possible. The process requires coordination with the current cemetery, the funeral home handling the transfer, and the Maryland Department of Veterans and Military Families (formerly the Department of Veterans Affairs). Reburial eligibility follows the same rules as original burial. Families typically cover the transportation and disinterment costs, though some state programs offer transportation assistance that may help offset these expenses.

What if the veteran didn't serve during a recognized wartime period?

Peacetime veterans have a separate eligibility path. If you served on active duty outside of a wartime period, you may still qualify for a Maryland state veterans cemetery if you meet the discharge and residency requirements. However, peacetime service eligibility has additional nuances for instance, active duty for training alone may not qualify. Check with the cemetery directly if your service doesn't clearly fall within a wartime window.

Common mistakes families make with cemetery eligibility

• Assuming combat service is required. It isn't. Wartime service anywhere including stateside bases counts.
• Not requesting the DD-214 early enough. Tracking down records takes time. Don't wait until the veteran has passed.
• Forgetting about spousal eligibility. Spouses can be buried in a veterans cemetery even if they die before the veteran. Pre-need applications are accepted.
• Overlooking federal VA benefits on top of state cemetery benefits. The VA provides a free headstone or marker, a burial flag, and a Presidential Memorial Certificate regardless of which cemetery you choose.
• Not considering cremation options. All three Maryland veterans cemeteries offer columbarium and scattering garden options, not just traditional casket burial.

How do I apply for burial in a Maryland veterans cemetery?

You can apply at any time either at the time of need or in advance through a pre-need eligibility determination. The Maryland Department of Veterans and Military Families handles applications. Here's how to start:

1. Gather the veteran's DD-214 and any residency documentation.
2. Contact the cemetery of your choice to check available space and confirm eligibility.
3. Submit the application and required documents to the cemetery office.
4. Coordinate with a licensed funeral home for the transportation and preparation of remains.

A pre-need determination locks in eligibility ahead of time, which removes guesswork and paperwork during an already difficult time for your family.

Practical next steps checklist

• Locate the DD-214 now don't wait until it's needed urgently. Store it with other important documents.
• Confirm wartime service dates by cross-referencing the DD-214 with the VA's recognized wartime periods listed above.
• Choose a cemetery Garrison Forest for the Baltimore metro area, Cheltenham for southern Maryland and D.C., or Eastern Shore for the Eastern Shore.
• Call the cemetery office to ask about current availability and any state-specific paperwork.
• Apply for pre-need eligibility if you want to plan ahead and reduce the burden on your family later.
• Apply for VA federal benefits (headstone, burial flag, plot allowance for service-connected deaths) at va.gov/burials-memorials.

Starting the conversation early even years before it's needed gives your family the time to make informed decisions without the pressure of immediate loss.