Interment Registration Instructions and Requirements for Agawam and Winchendon
Massachusetts Veterans’ Memorial Cemeteries will abide by all Commonwealth of Massachusetts Regulations (CMR) and Federal Regulations (FR) that govern the operations of veterans’ cemeteries.
PRE-REGISTRATION allows a veteran to establish eligibility for interment in the State Veterans’ Cemetery in advance. There is no cost for pre-registration and it does not obligate the veteran to be interred in the cemetery. It will be simplify the process for the veteran’s next-of-kin at the time of death. All pre-approved applications will be reviewed at the time of death to re-ensure burial eligibility. Specific gravesites may not be reserved.
PLEASE READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS AND REQUIREMENTS CAREFULLY.
PROCEDURE:
1. Documentation of all military service (copies of all discharge (DD214) papers for all years served). Copies of detailed pages (listings dates of entry, discharge, home of records, medals) must be submitted. This includes DD215 if any corrections were made to your discharge papers and/or a notarized affidavit regarding any discrepancies on your discharge (i.e. name spelled incorrectly, date of birth incorrect, Jr. III, etc. missing). Include all documentation of medals received if they are not listed. This includes (DD215) if any corrections were made to your discharge papers and/or a notarized on your DD214.
2. Massachusetts residency certificate (if applicable).
3. Marriage certificate (if appropriate).
4. Birth certificate(s) for veteran, (spouse, and dependent child(ren) if applicable).
Veteran must sign and date the application. If veteran is incapable of signing, the spouse or next of kin may do so.
Applications will be returned (so that all paperwork remains together) to the veteran if all applicable documentation is not attached. No application will be approved until all documentation is received.
If both husband and wife are veterans, they should each complete an application for Interment Registration. This will ensure that all pertinent military service will be documented in full for each.
Completion and approval of this application does not qualify of reserve a plot in the National Cemetery in Bourne.
ELIGIBILITY for a veteran’s internment at the cemetery is based on Military Service and Massachusetts Residency.
Veterans whose military service and State residency fulfill the following requirements may be eligible:
Military Service:
1. The veteran was discharged or released from active duty service under honorable conditions, * OR
2. The veteran served at least 20 years in the National Guard or United States Reserves and is in receipt of a military pension or has documentation verifying he/she will receive retirement pay at age 60, in accordance with Title 10, Chapter 1223, OR
3. Any member of the Armed Forces of the United States who dies on active duty and whose home of record is Massachusetts.
*With certain exceptions, service beginning after September 7, 1980, as an enlisted person, and service after October 16, 1981, as an officer, must be for a minimum of 24 months OR the full period for which the person was called to active duty. (Examples include those serving less than 24 months in the Gulf War or Reservists that were federalized by Presidential Act).
INELIGIBLE persons include “such others excluded from eligibility according to Title 38, United States Code, Section 2411 and other applicable federal laws, which prohibit burial in a National or State Cemetery of anyone, convicted of a federal or state capital crime and sentenced to death or life imprisonment.” Persons who served on “Active Duty for Training” only are ineligible for
burial.
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:
Military Documentation
· If the veteran served on active duty, include a copy (photocopy is acceptable) of the military discharge form. This will usually be a DD Form 214, but may be a different form. If this is not available, the information may be a file in The Adjutant General’s Office, Military Records Section, 239 Causeway St. Suite 101, Boston, MA 02114 (Massachusetts home of record residents only). Please contact The Adjutant General’s Office by phone (617) 727-2964. The military discharge form will be used to establish dates of service, and to show home of record.
· If veteran’s qualifying military service was in the National Guard or the Reserves only, include a copy of Letter of Retirement and a photocopy of the veteran’s most recent Guard or Reserve retirement pay statement, along with any/all discharge
documents. This letter will establish that the veteran served 20 years and qualified for retirement pay.
· If there any discrepancies (incorrect spelling of name, incorrect date of birth, Jr., III, etc.) a DD215 (correction of discharge) must be submitted with the application. If no DD215 exists a notarized affidavit must accompany the application.
Residency:
1. If the veteran was a resident of Massachusetts at the time he/she entered active duty and “home of record at the time of entry into active service” was Massachusetts, the veteran’s military discharge form (DD214 or other discharge form) will usually establish Massachusetts residency. If it does not, other documentation (Residency Certificate)* will be necessary. OR
2. If veteran entered military service from a state other than Massachusetts, to “pre-register” the veteran must document that he/she lived in Massachusetts for at least any five consecutive years after discharge from active duty. An affidavit (Residency Certificate)* from a city or town clerk indicating that the veteran resided in Massachusetts for any five consecutive years after the veteran’s discharge from active duty. OR
3. The veteran was a resident of Massachusetts at the time of his/her death. (A certified death certificate, stating “home of residence” at time of death, must accompany this application).
*Blank Residency Certificates available at the Cemetery office.
Marriage:
· If veteran is married and his/her spouse also wishes to be interred at the cemetery, please submit a copy of marriage certificate.
· Veteran and spouse must be legally married at the time of death. A former spouse of an eligible veteran whose marriage to that individual has been terminated by annulment or divorce is not eligible.
· If spouse remarries after the death of the veteran, he/she will be ineligible for burial in the Veteran’s Cemetery unless he/she remarries an eligible veteran.
· Should death or divorce dissolve a second marriage (widow/widower) the spouse would then revert back to burial eligibility of the previous marriage.
Dependent Children
· Unmarried minor child, under 21 years of age, or 23 if pursuing a course of instruction at an approved educational institution.
· Unmarried adult child incapable of self-support with physical or mental disability acquired before age 21, or 23 pursuing a course of instruction at an approved educational institution, and was totally dependent upon the eligible veteran for support. Letter from the Child’s doctor or court documentation stating that child is totally dependent on veteran for support is required and must accompany the application.
FEES:
There is no charge for the veteran for initial burial.
· A fee ($300.00 for full casket burial, $150.00 for cremain burial) subject to change and paid at the time of internment will be charged for burial of spouse, widows/widowers who have not remarried, and qualified dependent(s).
A fee of $200.00 (subject to change) will be charged to ALL dis-interment and/or re-internment of remains. A fee may also be charged for the replacement cost of the concrete liner.
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