National Cemeteries still providing service through coronavirus pandemic

Published 4:00 pm Sunday, March 29, 2020

JOHNSON CITY – Our National Cemeteries are stepping up to the challenge of providing service through the pandemic.  While we are observant of social distancing and realize the challenges in this environment, we still have a vital service to provide. Our National Cemetery staff members continue our mission to provide an honorable burial service for our Veterans and other eligible persons.

As Mountain Home National Cemetery staff member Logan Shell said, “There is no telework when you are operating an excavator.” NCA takes pride in providing a critical service during this time of need. We have limited services to direct interments to keep our families and staff member safe. The family is still able to view but there is a limit of 10 persons and no committal service or military honors. We will provide those services for families who wish to proceed after the emergency.

We provide world class customer service to our Veterans and their families. Part of our commitment is to keep everyone as safe as possible. We keep visitors safe by assisting them with visiting a gravesite when they are unable to visit on their own, ensuring our facilities are safe and accessible, and in many other ways. The measures we have in effect now are just another way we are keeping everyone safe.

One of our biggest challenges is dealing with misinformation. If you have a question about what services we provide please visit our website at www.cem.va.gov  If you have questions about the best ways to keep you and your family safe visit the CDC site at www.cdc.gov. The more accurate information we have available the less chance there is to sow confusion. See FEMA’s Coronavirus Rumor Control page for the top myths and scams surrounding the pandemic.

We look forward to coming out on the other side of this emergency and returning to normal. For now, we will continue our honorable service to our community and ask for understanding from the people we serve.

Information on VA burial benefits is available from local VA national cemetery offices, from the Internet at www.cem.va.gov, or by calling VA regional offices toll-free at 800-827-1000. To make burial arrangements at any open VA national cemetery at the time of need, call the National Cemetery Scheduling Office at 800-535-1117.