WSVC’s business hours are Mon – Fri 8am to 4pm. The administrative office is closed on weekends and state holidays. Cemetery grounds are open for visitation 7 days a week, winter weather dependent. Interments are conducted during business hours. Out of respect for those interred in this sacred shrine, pets are not allowed on premises. The use of alcohol, smoking or the use of any tobacco or vaping products are prohibited. There are no graveside services. All services are held in a committal shelter allowing each family the same opportunity to say farewell to their loved one in a solemn, dignified and private manner.
Preneed and Interment Planning
Step 1. Select Funeral Provider (regardless of casketed burial or cremation). The family(estate) is responsible for funeral home expenses. Determine whether the deceased will have a traditional burial (casket) or cremation.
*Note. Service-connected Veterans may qualify for a VBA burial allowance to help defray death related expenses. See a credentialled Veteran Service Officer for assistance in filing a claim.
Step 2. Submit Burial Application available at https://dva.wa.gov/cemetery. *Skip to Step 4 if preapproved
Complete & submit a signed WDVA Eligibility Application to Medical Lake. Include the following:
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- Veteran’s DD214 (discharge documents must include character of service and be unaltered)
- Copy of marriage certificate or domestic partner registry (to qualify a spouse)
- Copies of pertinent legal documents (Will, POA, Letter of Testamentary, Guardianship, etc.)
- Personal representative information must be completed
- Contact the cemetery for information required for dependent children
WSVC burial eligibility mirrors VA burial eligibility: https://www.va.gov/burials-memorials/eligibility/.
Note. Contact the VA directly for burial in a National Cemetery by calling 800-535-1117, fax documents to: 866-900-6417 (St Louis, MO). Refer to https://www.cem.va.gov/ for further information on VA Cemetery preneed or burial scheduling.
Step 3. WDVA makes an eligibility determination and will notify applicant. This is typically completed the same day if all the required documents are included. Illegible or missing documents will delay an eligibility determination and interment scheduling.
Step 4. Cemetery arrangements conference. The family or funeral provider may initiate this, otherwise Cemetery staff will contact the next-of-kin after receiving a death notification by either the family or funeral provider. *WDVA must have an approved application on file before scheduling can occur. Arrangements may be made in person or via phone, with documents exchanged by email or fax for family convenience.
Step 5. Day of the interment. Family and guests should arrive a minimum of 20 minutes early for scheduled services. This ensures the family receives the full half hour. The immediate next-of-kin should check in with cemetery staff in the Administration Building upon arrival with the urn (if applicable), flag and necessary paperwork. View NCA YouTube video of “What to expect at a Veteran’s Interment Service”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o0unio4S3dg&list=PL7897A1FCC5516DDE
Family are responsible for notifying their funeral director of any schedule changes affecting the date/time.
Families should ensure cremation will take place prior to the date of the scheduled interment.
Permanent marker/headstones are typically set within 60 days of the interment. Cemetery staff will notify the next-of-kin once the marker has been set. Note, headstones received during the winter will not be set until ground conditions allow, typically in mid-spring.