FAQs — Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery in Killeen
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Who is eligible for interment at the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery?
A: Eligible Veterans, their spouses, and the Veteran’s eligible family members are authorized interment.
Q: What costs are involved with interment at the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery?
A: From the moment that the remains arrive on cemetery grounds, there are no costs to the family for opening the plot, interment, closing the plot, headstone, marker, or niche cover and perpetual care. However, there are likely funeral home costs and transportation costs that are not covered by the Texas State Veterans Cemeteries.
Q: What are the costs for a family member to be interred at the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery?
A: In Texas, there is no cost for an eligible Veteran, spouse, or child to be interred at any of the Texas State Veterans Cemeteries.
Q: Can I pre-register?
A: Yes, you can pre-register at any time. Simply visit the cemetery or fill out our online form at https://vlb.texas.gov/forms/index.html. Be sure to bring your DD-214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, for eligibility determination and your marriage certificate for your spouse’s registration. For eligible children, the birth certificate is all that is needed. For adult children, medical documentation from the unmarried adult child’s physician or qualified medical professional will be needed, along with a letter from the parent or guardian. (Please contact any of the Texas State Veterans Cemeteries for additional information)
Q: After I pre-register will my grave space or burial plot be reserved?
A: No, pre-registration is to verify your eligibility, inform you accordingly, and for the cemetery to maintain a copy of the documents so that your next of kin doesn’t have to find them at the time of need. The only time a plot will be reserved is when one individual passes away and a second, adjacent plot, is necessary to accommodate the spouse who is also a Veteran, or in some cases those individuals with multiple eligible family members.
Q: Can I transfer an eligible loved one from a private cemetery to the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery?
A: Yes, there will be no cost for eligible interments at the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery, however, the private cemetery may charge for opening the plot and there may be transportation costs, both of which are not covered by the Texas State Veterans Cemeteries.
Q: What kinds of plots are available at the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery?
A: We have traditional casket plots available as well as options for cremated remains including placement in a Columbaria niche, cremated remains in-ground with an upright headstone, and the option of a scattering garden with an inscription on a Memorial Wall or on a flat marker in the Memorial Section.
Q: What are the eligibility requirements for interment at the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery?
A: The Texas State Veterans Cemeteries follow the same eligibility requirements for interment as at a national cemetery. The eligibility requirements are found at https://www.va.gov/burials-memorials/eligibility/. Additional help is available at the National Cemetery Scheduling Office at 1–800–535–1117 or the Texas VLB Call Center at 1–800–252–8387 or by calling or visiting any of the Texas State Veterans Cemeteries.
Q: I would like to visit and discuss eligibility at the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery in Killeen, how can I do that?
A: The Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery at Killeen is located at 11463 State Highway 195, Killeen, TX 76542, and the phone number is 254–616–1770. The Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery at Killeen Facebook page is at https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=central%20texas%20state%20veterans%20cemetery
Q: How can I best stay informed of developments at the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery?
A: The best way to stay informed is to follow the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery Facebook page and to sign up for the Texas VLB Newsletter at https://vlb.texas.gov/ (click Newsletter Sign Up at the top of the page). The newsletter allows you to tailor the information you would like to receive automatically by email.
Q: If I was in the National Guard or Reserves do I qualify to be buried at the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery?
A: You may qualify for burial benefits if you were placed on Title 10 and served on active duty (active duty time must be other than for training) or you retired from the National Guard or Reserves. (Please contact any of the Texas State Veterans Cemeteries for additional clarification)
Q: What are the hours of operation for the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery?
A: Office Hours: Monday — Friday, 8:00 a.m. — 5:00 p.m. (except holidays)
Burial Hours: Monday — Friday, 8:00 a.m. — 3:00 p.m. (except holidays)
Visiting Hours (cemetery gates open): 1 October — 31 March, 8:00 a.m. — 6:00 p.m.
Visiting Hours (cemetery gates open): 1 April — 30 September, 8:00 a.m. — 8:00 p.m.
Q: Who is responsible for obtaining military honors for a Veteran?
A: If you are working with a funeral home, the Funeral Director may assist you with obtaining military honors. If you are in possession of a Veteran’s remains and are not working with a funeral home Director, then you will be responsible for obtaining the military honors.
This can be done by contacting the military service branch in which the Veteran served.
Military service branch casualty office information is as follows:
US Army
Fort Hood, TX (Casualty Office)
254–287–7200
254–288–5600
US Air Force/US Space Force
Lackland AFB, San Antonio, TX
210–671–2562
210–671–4137
US Navy
Jacksonville, FL
904–542–1536 904–542–9807
904–542–0422
US Marine Corps
Quantico, VA (Casualty Office)
866–826–3628 800–847–1597
703–432–9248
US Coast Guard
New Orleans, LA
504–628–5177
504–942–4059
Note: Military honor guard teams from various local Veterans Service Organizations may also be available for use in lieu of Department of Defense Honor Guard teams. Please contact your local Texas State Veterans Cemetery or funeral home for information on how to obtain their services.
Q: How do I obtain a burial flag?
A: If you are working with a funeral home, the Funeral Director may assist you with obtaining a burial flag. If you are in possession of a Veteran’s remains and are not working with a funeral home Director, then you may obtain a burial flag by filling out VA Form 27–2008, Application for United States Flag for Burial Purposes. Once complete, take the form along with a copy of the Veteran’s military discharge papers and a copy of the death certificate to a local post office for issue of the burial flag.
