How to apply for BG William C. Doyle Veterans Memorial Cemetery (No-Cost Burial)

Who it's for

New Jersey's state veterans cemetery, the Brigadier General William C. Doyle Veterans Memorial Cemetery, is in Arneytown (North Hanover Township, Burlington County), about 15 miles southeast of Trenton. There is no cost for burial — the grave site and a state-provided grave liner are free for eligible veterans, their spouses, and eligible dependent children. The family pays only for preparing and transporting the remains, usually through a local funeral home, and the funeral director handles the burial request with the cemetery. Eligibility follows U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs national cemetery rules — generally any veteran discharged under other than dishonorable conditions.

What you'll need

• DD-214 or other proof of discharge under other than dishonorable conditions
• Proof of the veteran's New Jersey residence
• Marriage certificate for spouse eligibility

Where to apply

Step by step

1. Confirm eligibility before moving forward. The veteran must have been discharged under other than dishonorable conditions. A spouse or eligible dependent child may also qualify. Cemetery staff will verify eligibility before scheduling the burial.
2. Gather the required documents: the veteran's DD-214 or other proof of discharge under other than dishonorable conditions, proof of the veteran's New Jersey residence, and a marriage certificate if applying for a spouse's burial.
3. Contact a local funeral home. The funeral director handles the burial request directly with the cemetery on the family's behalf. The family is responsible for preparing and transporting the remains — the funeral home can help arrange this.
4. Apply online through the New Jersey Department of Veterans Affairs. The funeral director typically submits the burial request through the online application process.
5. Work with cemetery staff to confirm eligibility and schedule the burial. Staff will review the submitted documents and reach out to finalize arrangements.

What to expect: After the burial request is submitted, cemetery staff will review the documents and confirm the veteran's eligibility before scheduling is finalized. There is no charge for the grave site or the state-provided grave liner — the family pays only for preparation and transportation of the remains through the funeral home. If the family chooses to purchase a private vault instead of the state-provided grave liner, an additional cost applies. Processing times vary, so ask the cemetery staff for a timing estimate when confirming eligibility. There is no renewal process for this benefit.