Is it true that headstones are not provided to spouses or dependents buried in a private cemetery?

The statement is accurate in that headstones are not provided for spouses or dependents buried in a private cemetery. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provides headstones and markers for the graves of eligible veterans, but these benefits typically extend only to the veteran's burial in a national or state veteran’s cemetery. For burials in private cemeteries, the entitlement to a headstone is not automatically available for spouses or dependents. There are specific eligibility criteria and the focus is primarily on the veteran.

This understanding is crucial for assisting families in navigating burial and memorial benefits, and it emphasizes the necessity of knowing where veterans are interred to determine eligibility for markers or headstones. The nuances within this topic are important as they may affect the memorial arrangements for veterans and their families.