How to apply for Sunset Veterans Cemetery at Quincy (State Veterans Cemetery)

Who it's for

Illinois operates one state veterans cemetery: Sunset Veterans Cemetery, on the grounds of the Illinois Veterans' Home at Quincy. The cemetery provides interment and perpetual care for eligible veterans and spouses, with more than 7,000 veterans and spouses at rest there dating back to the Civil War. It is recognized by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs National Cemetery Administration as a state veterans cemetery. Contact the Quincy home to ask about eligibility and arrangements. Veterans elsewhere in Illinois can also use the VA national cemeteries in the state, such as Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery near Joliet.

What you'll need

• DD-214 or other military discharge paperwork
• Marriage certificate for spouse eligibility

Where to apply

What to say when you call

“Hello, I'm calling to ask about Sunset Veterans Cemetery at Quincy (State Veterans Cemetery). I'd like to know whether I may qualify, what documents I need, and whether I can apply online, by mail, by phone, or in person. I understand I may need dd-214 or other military discharge paperwork, marriage certificate for spouse eligibility — is anything else required? What is the best next step?”

Tip: have a pen ready, ask for the person's name, and write down any case or reference number they give you.

Step by step

1. Gather the required documents. You will need the veteran's DD-214 or other military discharge paperwork. If applying for a spouse, also have the marriage certificate ready.
2. Call the Veterans' Home at Quincy at 217-640-2488 to confirm eligibility and ask about any charges. IDVA does not publish detailed interment eligibility or cost terms online, so this call is an important first step.
3. Ask about arrangements during that call. Staff can walk you through the specific steps for scheduling interment at Sunset Veterans Cemetery.
4. Apply online or by phone at 217-640-2488, whichever the Veterans' Home staff directs you to use after confirming eligibility.
5. If the veteran lived in a part of Illinois not near Quincy, ask staff whether a VA national cemetery — such as Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery near Joliet — may be a more convenient option under federal burial benefits.

What to expect: After submitting your application and documents, the Veterans' Home at Quincy will review the information and confirm next steps for interment arrangements at Sunset Veterans Cemetery. Processing times vary, so ask staff for an estimate when you call. The cemetery provides perpetual care for eligible veterans and spouses, so no ongoing action is needed once interment is complete. Because eligibility details and any applicable charges are handled directly by the Veterans' Home, keeping a record of your conversations with staff is a good idea.