North Carolina State Veterans Cemeteries

North Carolina runs four state veterans cemeteries under Article 8A of Chapter 65 of the General Statutes: Western Carolina State Veterans Cemetery, 962 Old US Highway 70, Black Mountain. Coastal Carolina State Veterans Cemetery, 110 Montford Point Road, Jacksonville. Sandhills State Veterans Cemetery, 8220 Fort Bragg Boulevard, Spring Lake. Eastern Carolina State Veterans Cemetery, 164 Longs Plant Farm Road, Goldsboro. For an eligible veteran there is no cost. The Department: "The state Veterans cemeteries provide a burial plot, opening and closing of the grave, grave marker and installation, and perpetual care at no cost to the Veteran." Only government-furnished headstones are used, installed free. Who is eligible. A "qualified veteran" under G.S. 65-43 and 65-43.1: active duty other than for training ended under honorable conditions (or death on active duty, or death in reserve or Guard service, under honorable conditions), and either entitlement to reserve retired pay (or would have been entitled but for being under 60) or eligibility for a national cemetery under 38 U.S.C. 2402. The Department's page: "Veterans must be discharged under honorable conditions." Conscientious objectors who refused duty, deserters, officers who resigned for the good of the service, those convicted of subversive activities, and clemency discharges for persistent absence are barred (G.S. 65-43.3). No residency test. Until July 8, 2024 a qualified veteran also had to be a legal resident of North Carolina at death, for at least ten years, or at entry into service. Session Law 2024-43, section 8, struck that test, so a veteran who never lived in North Carolina is now eligible. Older guidance, including earlier versions of this entry and the Army benefits library, still prints it. Family. The spouse, widow or widower, a minor child who is unmarried and dependent (under 21, or under 23 at an approved school), and an unmarried adult child who became permanently incapable of self-support before 18. Only one grave site per veteran and family. A burial fee is charged for a spouse or family member; ask the cemetery for the amount. These are state cemeteries, separate from the VA national cemeteries in North Carolina; compare the two on location and availability. There is no advance reservation: the funeral director notifies the nearest cemetery's superintendent at the time of need with the evidence of service (G.S. 65-43.2). Committal services are held in the chapel or a committal shelter, not at the grave. Keep the DD-214 where the family will find it.