Ordering
a Headstone or Marker by Fax for Placement
in a Private Cemetery
When using the toll free fax number, do
not send a paper copy of the application
through the mail. To ensure your application
is processed quickly and the marker is delivered
without errors, please follow all of the
steps outlined below when using the toll
free fax number (1-800-455-7143).
(This toll free fax service is only available
for headstone or markers being placed in
private cemeteries. All state veterans,
military, and post cemeteries must submit
their applications by regular mail.)
Obtain a copy
of the veteran’s DD Form 214 or other
military discharge documents to support
the application. Using the information on
the separation documents, fill out VA Form
40-1330 Application for Standard Government
Headstone or Marker as completely
as possible. Be sure to include telephone
numbers and signatures. If you are not sure
you are using the most current version of
the form, visit the National Cemetery Administration
website at www.cem.va.gov/hm.htm
Check the application
carefully, be sure it is accurately filled
out and properly signed. Make sure all the
accompanying documents (preferably a DD
Form 214) that show active duty service,
war service, valor awards, etc. These documents
are needed to establish eligibility and
support requests for special inscription
items.
Place the documents
in the following order:
- Application Form (VA
Form 40-1330)
- Fax cover sheet with
your name and phone number (use of a
cover sheet is optional)
- All supporting documents
If you are
making a second request, or if you are requesting
a replacement for an incorrect or damaged
marker, you must explain this in block 27
of the Application Form (VA Form 40-1330).
Be sure to
let Memorial Programs Service know who is
sending the fax. You can do this by activating
the feature of your fax machine that causes
the name of the sender to print across the
top of all faxed documents. Regardless of
where you are faxing from, be sure to let
VA know who they should contact if the application
does not transmit properly.
Verify your
fax is set at standard resolution, not high
resolution. A setting of fine resolution
may cause the transmission to terminate
due to the type of scanning equipment on
the receiving end.
Then fax the
application and supporting documents to
the following toll free fax number: 1-800-455-7143.
NOTE: Send
one application package (application plus
supporting documents) at a time. For this
totally electronic system to work as intended,
you must disconnect the call and re-dial
between each new application package. If
you fax several applications without re-dialing
between each one, it will delay the process
while VA manually separates the document.
Source: Veterans
Benefits News from the National Veterans
Services of the Veterans of Foreign Wars
of the U.S., November 5, 2004. vfw@vfwdc.org
