Veteran burial eligibility at Riverside National Cemetery

Riverside National Cemetery is a federal cemetery run by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not a private cemetery. Burial there is free for eligible veterans and, in many cases, their spouses and dependents. Cemlist does not list, sell, or facilitate anything at Riverside National Cemetery, and never will - this page exists to explain how eligibility actually works and point you to the real, official process, not to sell you anything.

Before beginning, browse the rest of the Cemlist resources for buying, selling, and transfer guidance.

Riverside is open, unlike some other VA national cemeteries

This distinction matters because not every VA national cemetery is in the same position: some, like Fort Rosecrans in San Diego, closed to new first interments decades ago and now generally only accept additional family members in an existing gravesite. Riverside National Cemetery is different - per the National Cemetery Administration's current interment schedule availability report, Riverside is listed as open, accepting both casket and cremation interments, and available for both first interments and subsequent (additional family member) interments.

Interment availability can change, and the official report is the only reliable current source - confirm directly with the National Cemetery Scheduling Office (800-535-1117, option 1) before making specific plans, rather than relying on this page or any other secondhand summary.

Who qualifies

In general terms - always confirm your specific situation with the VA, since discharge history and family circumstances vary:

A veteran discharged under conditions other than dishonorable generally qualifies. Some discharge types require an individual eligibility review.
A veteran's spouse or surviving spouse is generally eligible, and may be buried even if they predecease the veteran, and even if they remarried after the veteran's death.
Minor dependent children, and in some cases unmarried adult children with a qualifying disability, may also be eligible.
A former spouse whose marriage ended in annulment or divorce generally does not qualify on that basis alone, unless they are separately eligible as a veteran.

This is a summary, not an eligibility determination. Read the VA's own burial eligibility page for the complete, current criteria, and contact the VA directly for anything specific to your situation.

What it costs, and how to apply

Burial in a VA national cemetery is free for the eligible veteran - the gravesite, opening and closing, a government headstone or marker, and a burial flag are all provided at no cost. Some costs may apply to an eligible dependent depending on current VA policy, so confirm directly with the National Cemetery Administration rather than assuming.

To find out in advance whether you or a family member qualifies, veterans can file VA Form 40-10007 (Application for Pre-Need Determination of Eligibility for Burial in a VA National Cemetery) through the VA's pre-need eligibility page. Doing this ahead of time, rather than at time of need, gives your family a clear answer without added stress later.

If a VA national cemetery isn't the right fit for your family

Not everyone is eligible, and not everyone wants a VA national cemetery even if they qualify - a specific denomination, a family plot elsewhere, or simply a preference for a particular cemetery are all common reasons to look privately instead. For that side of the Inland Empire's market, see buying a cemetery plot in the Inland Empire, which covers how private-party resale works at Inland Empire cemeteries.

Common questions

Is Riverside National Cemetery the same kind of cemetery Cemlist lists?

No. Riverside National Cemetery is a federal VA national cemetery, not a private or municipal cemetery. Burial there is a federal benefit administered by the VA's National Cemetery Administration, not something bought or sold, and Cemlist has no listings and no role there.

Is Riverside National Cemetery still accepting new burials?

Yes, as of the National Cemetery Administration's current interment schedule availability report, Riverside is listed as open and accepting both casket and cremation interments, including new first interments, not only additional burials in existing family gravesites. This is a real difference from cemeteries like Fort Rosecrans in San Diego, which is largely closed to new first interments. Status can change, so confirm directly with the National Cemetery Scheduling Office before planning around it.

Who is eligible for burial at a VA national cemetery?

In general, a veteran discharged under conditions other than dishonorable qualifies, along with their spouse or surviving spouse and, in some cases, minor or dependent adult children. Some discharge types and circumstances affect eligibility. VA.gov is the authoritative source for your specific situation - do not rely on a general summary for an individual eligibility determination.

What does VA national cemetery burial cost, and how do I apply?

Burial in a VA national cemetery is free for the eligible veteran, including the gravesite, opening and closing, a headstone or marker, and a burial flag; some costs may apply to an eligible dependent depending on current VA policy, so confirm directly with the National Cemetery Administration. To determine eligibility in advance of need, veterans can file VA Form 40-10007 (Application for Pre-Need Determination of Eligibility for Burial in a VA National Cemetery) through VA.gov.