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Headstone and marker terms

Plain definitions of the words you'll meet on VA forms, cemetery rules and funeral home statements. Each one is followed by the official text it rests on.

Upright headstone

A standing stone. VA's are granite or marble, 42 inches long, 13 wide and 4 thick.

“The upright granite and upright marble headstones are 42 inches long, 13 inches wide and 4 inches thick. Weight is approximately 230 pounds.”

Flat marker

A marker set level with the ground. VA offers granite, marble and bronze.

“The flat granite and flat marble grave markers are 24 inches long, 12 inches wide, and 4 inches thick. Weight is approximately 130 pounds.”

“The flat bronze grave marker is 24 inches long, 12 inches wide, with 3/4 inch rise. Weight is approximately 18 pounds. Anchor bolts, nuts and washers for fastening to a base are furnished with the marker. The government does not furnish a base.”

Niche marker

A small bronze plate for a columbarium or mausoleum niche.

“The niche marker is 8 1/2 inches long, 5 1/2 inches wide, with 7/16 inch rise. Weight is approximately 3 pounds. Mounting bolts and washers are furnished with the marker.”

“Used for columbarium or mausoleum interment.”

Medallion

A bronze emblem VA sends to attach to a privately purchased headstone or marker.

“The bronze medallion is available in three sizes: Small (2"W x 1-1/2"H x 1/3"D), Medium (3-3/4"W x 2-7/8"H x 1/4"D), or Large (6-3/8"W x 4-3/4"H x 1/2"D). Each medallion is inscribed with the word "VETERAN" across the top and the branch of service at the bottom.”

“Once an application for a medallion is received and approved, VA will mail the medallion along with a kit that will allow the family or the staff of a private cemetery to affix the device to a headstone, grave marker, mausoleum or columbarium niche cover.”

Memorial headstone or marker

A headstone for someone whose remains aren't available; its first line reads IN MEMORY OF.

“These headstones and markers bear an "IN MEMORY OF" inscription as their first line and must be placed in a recognized cemetery.”

“You may apply for a memorial headstone or marker if any of these descriptions is true: The deceased's remains haven't been recovered or identified, or The deceased's remains were buried at sea, or The deceased's remains were donated to science, or The deceased's remains were cremated and scattered”

Granite

One of VA's stone choices for upright headstones and flat markers; the form calls it light gray granite. Stone color can vary.

“You can request any of these: Upright headstones, in granite or marble Flat markers, in granite, marble, or bronze Niche markers, in bronze”

“Variations may occur in stone color; the marble may contain light to moderate veining.”

Marble

VA's other stone choice; the form calls it white marble, and it may show light to moderate veining.

“You can request any of these: Upright headstones, in granite or marble Flat markers, in granite, marble, or bronze Niche markers, in bronze”

“Variations may occur in stone color; the marble may contain light to moderate veining.”

Bronze

Used for VA's flat markers, niche markers and medallions. VA notes that bronze made before the 1970s wasn't sealed and carries a blue-green patina that cleaning won't remove.

“The flat bronze grave marker is 24 inches long, 12 inches wide, with 3/4 inch rise. Weight is approximately 18 pounds. Anchor bolts, nuts and washers for fastening to a base are furnished with the marker. The government does not furnish a base.”

“The goal of cleaning is to remove air pollution soiling, lichen, bird droppings, dirt, salts, and sap — it is NOT to make the headstone or marker look "like new." Improper or unnecessary cleaning can accelerate the deterioration of marble and granite; pre-1970s bronze was not sealed and will have a blue-green patina that will not be removed by cleaning.”

Lithichrome

Dark shading in the letters. VA uses it on headstones for private cemeteries, though in most instances its headstones won't have it.

“Lithichrome, a darkened shading seen in the image below, is used for the inscription on headstones at private cemeteries.”

“In most instances, the headstone or marker provided WILL NOT have lithichrome.”

Emblem of belief

A religious or equivalent belief emblem VA will inscribe from its approved list. Social, fraternal, political or military emblems don't qualify.

“Emblems of belief do not include social, cultural, ethnic, civic, fraternal, trade, commercial, political, professional or military emblems.”

“No graphics (logos, symbols, etc.) are permitted on Government-furnished headstones or markers other than the available emblems of belief, the Civil War Union Shield, the Civil War Confederate Southern Cross of Honor, and the Medal of Honor insignias.”

Consignee

The business that accepts delivery of a VA headstone or marker, unloads it and checks it.

“The applicant signs in block 23; the person agreeing to accept delivery (consignee) in block 27, and the cemetery or other responsible official in block 31.”

“The consignee must utilize their equipment to unload the pallet or monument from the truck and inspect the headstone or marker for accuracy prior to installation.”

Setting

Installing the headstone or marker at the grave. Free in VA national cemeteries; at private expense in private cemeteries.

“Cemetery staff in national, military post, and military base cemeteries are responsible for setting the headstone or marker at no cost to the applicant. Some state Veterans' cemeteries may charge the applicant a nominal fee for setting a Government-furnished headstone or marker.”

“Note: There is no charge for the headstone or marker itself, however arrangements for placing it in a private cemetery are the applicant's responsibility and all setting fees are at private expense.”

Base or slab

A concrete foundation some cemeteries require under a flat bronze marker. VA doesn't furnish or pay for it.

“The concrete base or slab is not furnished by the Government, and some cemeteries may require a base or slab as part of the installation. VA will not pay for or reimburse for this cost.”

Outer burial container (vault, grave liner)

A container around the casket in the grave. The Funeral Rule says state law doesn't require one; many cemeteries do.

“Outer burial containers are not required by state law anywhere in the U.S., but many cemeteries require them to prevent the grave from caving in.”

“"In most areas of the country, state or local law does not require that you buy a container to surround the casket in the grave. However, many cemeteries require that you have such a container so that the grave will not sink in. Either a grave liner or a burial vault will satisfy these requirements."”

Funeral provider

Under the Funeral Rule, anyone selling both funeral goods and funeral services to the public.

“A "funeral provider" is any person, partnership or corporation that sells or offers to sell funeral goods and funeral services to the public.”

“Cemeteries, crematories, and other businesses can also be "funeral providers" if they market both funeral goods and services.”

Cash advance item

Something a funeral home buys from someone else for you, such as cemetery services.

“A cash advance item is also any item obtained from a third party and paid for by the funeral provider on the purchaser's behalf.”

“"We charge you for our services in obtaining: (specify cash advance items)," if the funeral provider makes a charge upon, or receives and retains a rebate, commission or trade or volume discount upon a cash advance item.”

Perpetual (endowment) care

A fee for ongoing maintenance of the cemetery. The FTC says to check whether it's included.

“Perpetual care on a cemetery plot sometimes is included in the purchase price, but it's important to clarify that point before you buy the site or service. If it's not included, look for a separate endowment care fee for maintenance and groundskeeping.”

Group memorial monument

A VA monument in a reserved area of a national cemetery for two or more identified members of the Armed Forces who died in the same sanctioned military event and whose remains weren't recovered or identified, were buried at sea, or are otherwise unavailable for interment.

“The group memorial monument will commemorate two or more identified members of the Armed Forces, including their reserve components, who died in a sanctioned common military event, (e.g., battle or other hostile action, bombing or other explosion, disappearance of aircraft, vessel or other vehicle) while in active military, naval or air service, and whose remains were not recovered or identified, were buried at sea, or are otherwise unavailable for interment.”

“A group memorial monument furnished by VA may be placed only in a national cemetery in an area reserved for such purpose.”

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