VA Headstone Eligibility Expands: Arbitrary 1998 Death Date Removed for Veterans' Memorials

The newly introduced Dennis and Lois Krisfalusy Act tackles a specific, but significant, restriction in how the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provides memorial headstones and markers. Currently, the VA’s rules for furnishing these markers—free of charge—are shackled by a cutoff date: only veterans who died on or after November 11, 1998, are eligible. This bill simply strikes that specific date requirement from Section 2306(b)(2) of title 38, U.S. Code, meaning eligibility for a VA-provided memorial will now be based purely on the veteran’s service record and other existing criteria, not on the arbitrary timing of their death.

Closing the Eligibility Gap

Think of this as a long-overdue technical correction that has a massive real-world impact for families. Before this change, if a veteran met every single requirement for a VA marker but passed away, say, on November 10, 1998, their family was out of luck. This legislation removes that administrative hurdle, finally granting access to this benefit for potentially thousands of families who were previously excluded by just a few days, months, or years relative to that old cutoff date. For a family that wants to honor their loved one with the same official recognition afforded to more recently deceased veterans, this change is huge.

What This Means for Families

For the average person, this bill doesn't change much unless you are the relative of a veteran who died before the late 90s and whose final resting place lacks a formal VA marker. If you’ve ever looked into getting a VA headstone or marker for a relative and were told they didn't qualify because they died too early, this bill is your green light. The VA furnishes these markers to honor the service of deceased veterans, and removing the 1998 date ensures that the recognition is based on service, not on bureaucratic timing. This is a clear expansion of an existing benefit, providing recognition and closure for families who previously had to navigate an outdated rule. There are no obvious downsides or negative impacts here; the bill simply makes the system fairer and more inclusive.