Announcement Detail


June 8 | VA Resumes Committal Services on June 9

Click here to read the bulletin: https://www.va.gov/opa/pressrel/pressrelease.cfm?id=5463

 

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) national cemeteries will resume committal services starting June 9.

Committal services, which had been discontinued on March 23, will resume starting June 9 in all but two cemeteries (in New York). Families with interments scheduled on or after June 9 will be offered the option of a committal service at the time of interment.

VA national cemeteries will contact families who were unable to hold a committal service due to the COVID-19 pandemic to arrange memorial services for their loved ones beginning in July.

 

Safety Measures

To ensure the safety of our visitors and employees, all attendees are required to follow these safety measures:

  • Limit the Number of Attendees: Families must abide by cemetery limits on the number of individuals attending the committal service. The number of attendees permitted at committal service will vary based on state and local guidelines for gathering sizes and the ability of the cemetery to accommodate attendees while maintaining physical distancing, but nowhere will the number permitted to attend be fewer than 10. Cemetery team members, funeral home personnel, and military honors providers do not count toward the limited number of attendees. Families and Funeral home directors should contact the local cemetery for more details regarding the exact number of attendees permitted at the cemetery.
  • Wear Face Masks: All family members, attendees, funeral home personnel, military honor providers, and cemetery staff must wear a face mask or covering.
  • Maintain Physical Distancing: A least 6 feet of distance must be maintained between individuals.People living together in the same household do not need to maintain a 6-foot distance from each other.
  • Stay Home if you are Sick: Individuals who are sick or not feeling well should not attend the service.

Click here to learn more about safety measures: https://www.cem.va.gov/alerts.asp