Sec. 35.03.01.05. Burial in a State Veterans' Cemetery

A. A grave liner is required for burial of all casketed remains in a State veterans' cemetery.

B. An eligible veteran shall be furnished a burial plot, a grave liner, and interment services at no expense to the veteran or the veteran's estate. Other expenses incurred in the preparation or transportation of the remains are not paid by the Department.

C. An eligible family member shall be buried in the plot assigned to the veteran after payment of the cost of burial, which shall be a sum equivalent to the amount of the burial plot allowance from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, effective as of the date of death of the dependent, for burial of casketed or cremated remains of a veteran in a State veterans’ cemetery.

D. Check Policy.

(1) The Department shall accept only the following forms of payment for opening and closing, and liners:

(a) Funeral home business check;

(b) Cashier's check; or

(c) Money order.

(2) All checks shall be made payable to Maryland Department of Veterans Affairs before burial.

(3) The Department does not accept cash or personal checks.

E. If a burial vault is desired, arrangements for its installation shall be made independently by the veteran, surviving next of kin, legal representative, or the administrator, personal representative, or executor of the veteran's estate. The cost of the vault and installation may not be paid by the Department.

F. A burial permit is required in accordance with the regulations established by the State and local authorities before burial may be made.

G. If a veteran is to be buried in a State veterans' cemetery before verification of the veteran's eligibility, the surviving next of kin, legal representative, or the administrator, personal representative, or executor of the veteran's estate first shall agree in writing to have the remains removed from the cemetery without expense to the State if it is finally determined that the burial was not lawful under existing law and regulations.

H. If the spouse, dependent minor children, or disabled adult children precede the eligible veteran in death, the veteran shall execute an agreement electing to be buried in the same gravesite before burial may be made in a State veterans' cemetery. If the veteran decides not to abide by the agreement, or the veteran's legal representative fails to abide by that agreement, for any reason other than the unrecoverability of remains, the remains of the family member buried in the State veterans' cemetery shall be removed without cost to the State.