Legal Definitions - NCA

NCA stands for the National Cemetery Administration.

The National Cemetery Administration is an agency within the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) responsible for providing a dignified final resting place and lasting memorialization for eligible veterans and their families. This includes operating and maintaining national cemeteries, furnishing headstones and markers for veterans buried in private or state cemeteries, and ensuring the perpetual care of these sacred grounds across the United States.

Here are some examples of how the National Cemetery Administration's role applies:

• Imagine a family whose beloved grandfather, a decorated Army veteran, recently passed away. His granddaughter, Sarah, is tasked with making his final arrangements. She contacts the National Cemetery Administration to inquire about his eligibility for burial in a national cemetery, understand the process for requesting military honors, and coordinate the interment service. The NCA would guide her through the necessary paperwork and scheduling to ensure her grandfather receives a respectful burial in a hallowed national cemetery.

• Consider a situation where a veteran chose to be buried in a private family plot in their hometown, rather than a national cemetery. Years later, their children decide they want to honor their parent's service with an official government-furnished headstone. They would apply to the National Cemetery Administration, providing proof of their parent's honorable military service. The NCA would then arrange for the production and delivery of an appropriate headstone or marker, free of charge, to be placed at the private gravesite, recognizing the veteran's contributions.

• Picture a group of volunteers visiting a national cemetery to place flags on graves for Memorial Day. They observe the meticulously manicured lawns, the perfectly aligned rows of headstones, and the well-maintained visitor center. This consistent upkeep and respectful presentation of the grounds are direct responsibilities of the National Cemetery Administration, which manages the daily operations, landscaping, infrastructure, and historical preservation efforts to ensure these national shrines remain pristine and honorable places of remembrance for all who visit.