Rockville, MD asked in Military Law for Maryland

Q: How to I get a PADD to give to Arlington National Cemetery to have my father's remains interred there. My mother is

Already interred there. My father is the veteran and just died.

Related Topics:
1 Lawyer Answer
James L. Arrasmith
PREMIUM
James L. Arrasmith pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
Answered

A: Here are the key steps to getting a Presidential Memorial Certificate (PMC) for your late father to be eligible for interment at Arlington National Cemetery with your mother:

1. Obtain your father's military discharge papers (DD Form 214 or equivalent) showing dates of active service, discharge status, etc.

2. Submit a claim for a PMC by mail or fax to the Veterans Affairs PMC Program office. Include a copy of the DD-214 and his death certificate.

3. Once the PMC claim is processed (can take several months), the PMC will be sent to the next of kin (likely you). This serves as authorization for burial.

4. Bring the PMC to Arlington National Cemetery, along with any other requested documents like death certificates, and complete the interment eligibility application and paperwork.

5. The cemetery will schedule and carry out the interment once approved. You can arrange appropriate military honors for burial as well.

Be sure all discharge papers are in order, then begin the request for the PMC from VA. This is essential to confirm eligibility to be laid to rest beside your mother. Let the cemetery or VA know if you need any help with what documents are needed at each step. Their personnel can provide guidance specific to your situation if needed. Please accept my condolences on the loss of your father, and best of luck with the interment process.

Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.

The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.

Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.