VA Pilot Program Offers Headstones for Veterans Who Died Before November 1990

A new piece of legislation, the "Honoring Our Heroes Act of 2025," aims to address a long-standing gap in recognizing veterans. It directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to set up a two-year pilot program specifically to provide government headstones or burial markers for veterans who passed away on or before November 1, 1990.

Marking History: What the Pilot Program Covers

This isn't about changing current rules for recent veterans; it's a targeted effort for those who died decades ago. Before 1990, eligibility rules or family circumstances might have prevented some veterans from receiving an official VA marker. This pilot program, defined in Section 2, creates a temporary pathway to rectify that. If a veteran died on or before November 1, 1990, their next of kin or another authorized individual can apply to receive a standard government headstone or marker.

The Application Process: What Families Need to Know

Getting a marker under this pilot program requires submitting an application to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. While the bill doesn't detail the exact contents of the application, it mandates that the VA's National Cemetery Administration will update its website with clear eligibility requirements and presumably the application details. Think of it like applying for other VA benefits – you'll need to provide necessary information and assurances. Critically, this opportunity is time-limited: the pilot program shuts down two years after the Act becomes official, so eligible families will have a specific window to apply.