WDVA Fast Facts
The creation of the State Veterans Cemetery, Medical Lake fills a significant service gap for veterans & families in Eastern Washington & North Idaho via $10.9 million in federal grants.

More than 4,000 veterans and family members have been interred in this national shrine since opening in 2010.

Proceeds from the sale of

Armed Forces License Plates support ongoing maintenance of the State Veterans Cemetery. In FY16, these license plates generated $477,400 to directly support operations.

Administrative Office Open Monday thru Friday 8:00 am to 4:30 pm Closed Weekends & Holidays

21702 W. Espanola Rd. Medical Lake, WA 99022 Office Phone 509-299-6280 Office Fax 509-299-6286 Email: cemetery@dva.wa.gov

*Note: Pets & tobacco use are not allowed out of respect to families.

www.dva.wa.gov 1-800-562-2308

WDVA Director

Lourdes E. Alvarado Ramos

WDVA Deputy Director

Gary Condra

Rudy Lopez, Cemetery Director 509-299-6280 rudyl@dva.wa.gov
State Veterans Cemetery
ELIGIBILITY
Interment eligibility mirrors National Veterans Cemetery eligibility requirements which follows 38 CFR 38.620. In general:
 All honorably discharged U.S. Veterans
 Spouses

 In limited cases Dependent Children

The Washington State Veterans Cemetery serves Veterans and their families, fulfilling a nation’s promise to care for its Veterans. Washington State residency is not a pre-requisite for burial. Refer to the following link for specific eligibility criteria: http://www.cem.va.gov/cem/burial_benefits/eligible.asp
BURIAL OPTIONS & SERVICES
The State Veterans Cemetery provides for traditional in-ground casketed burials. Traditional burials include ground plot, cement liner & an upright inscribed granite marker.

The following options are available for cremation inurnment:

  Columbarium niche includes inscribed granite niche cover
  In-ground cremation inurnment includes ground plot &

upright inscribed granite marker
  Scattering Garden with inscribed granite marker

Traditional graveside services are not permitted. All
services are held in the Committal Shelter offering a safe
and respectful place for remembrance. Services may include Military Funeral Honors for Veterans and Military Retirees in accordance with Public Law 106.65. Families have the option of using a variety of volunteer-supported functions to personalize their loved one’s committal service.

An information kiosk, located in the Administration Building foyer contains an electronic grave locator allowing family and friends to easily locate the gravesite of their loved one.
PRE-NEED DETERMINATION OF ELIGIBILITY & COSTS
Handling end-of-life affairs can be stressful on families. Pre-need applications allow you to determine interment eligibility to accommodate your families’ pre-needs plans, and makes sure your wishes are known. For these reasons pre-need planning is encouraged.

Military discharge documentation, such as a DD-214 (veteran) and a marriage certificate (married couples), are required to pre-register. Upon verification you will receive a confirmation letter determining eligibility which should be kept with other important records.

Interment costs for eligible Veterans are paid by the Department of Veterans Affairs, $300 is collected at the time of interment for eligible spouses and dependent children.
VOLUNTEERS AND DONATIONS
There are numerous opportunities for individuals to donate their time or resources at the Washington State Veterans Cemetery, including:

*Honor Guard Rifle Teams *Cemetery Ambassadors *Buglers *Cortege Drivers *Photographers (community events) *Ministers *Financial Donations – Special Projects, Public Events, or Flags for displa