Congressman Emmer Leads Nonpartisan Legislation to Ensure Timely and Respectful Burials for American Veterans
Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Tom Emmer introduced the Veterans Burial Accountability Act. This nonpartisan legislation is designed to eliminate needless delays in veteran burials and ensure families can grieve on their own time. This landmark legislation is supported by 50 Republican and Democrat colleagues. Senator John Boozman (R-AR) introduced companion legislation in the United States Senate.
“Our duty to our veterans must not end with their final breath,” Congressman Emmer said. “With this commonsense reform, no veteran family will be denied closure – or forced to endure uncertainty – when burying one of our nation’s heroes.”
“Ensuring that a death certificate – an important legal document – is provided to a veteran’s loved ones in a timely manner after their passing is crucial not only for emotional closure, but necessary for a variety of legal, financial and administrative matters,” said Senator John Boozman. “Without one, it is difficult to access survivor and burial benefits and further assistance from the VA. Our bill ensures that veterans who pass away in VA care promptly receive this fully executed, vital document.”
"The American Legion exists to ensure our veterans, and their families receive the benefits they earned through the sacrifices of military service. We applaud Congressman Emmer's efforts in listening to the stakeholders who elevated this problem. We support this bill which removes barriers to surviving spouses or eligible dependents accessing benefits they need in the aftermath of the death of their loved one who served," said Commander Carl Moon, The American Legion Department of Minnesota.
"AMVETS proudly supports the Veterans Burial Accountability Act. This common-sense legislation reflects a simple truth: our respect for veterans should not end with their final breath. No family should have to wait weeks or months for a death certificate while navigating grief, benefits, and burial arrangements. By ensuring timely certification by VA physicians, this bill honors our promise to care for veterans and their families with dignity,” said Joe Chenelly, National Executive Director, American Veterans.
“On behalf of Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA), I write to express our strong support for the Veterans Burial Accountability Act. This legislation addresses the issue faced by far too many veteran families: avoidable delays in the signing of death certificates when a veteran passes away under VA care. The reports of delays extending four to eight weeks are not only unacceptable but introduce more grief with additional legal and financial hardship. By requiring VA clinicians to sign death certificates within 48 hours of a veteran’s death, this bill provides a sensible solution that respects the service and dignity of our veterans and prioritizes that their families are not forced to wait for the closure they deserve,” said James McCormick, Executive Director of Government Affairs, Vietnam Veterans of America.
“When a veteran passes, the last thing their loved ones should have to worry about is delayed burials or access to survivors' benefits. The Veterans Burial Accountability Act will ensure that the families of veterans who pass from natural causes will receive a signed death certificate within 48 hours, ending the weeks of waiting that families currently experience. With Honor Action is proud to endorse this legislation to support families grieving their loved ones and show respect to our veterans as they are laid to rest,” said Rye Barcott, CEO & Co-Founder, With Honor.
“I’m honored to work with everyone who was involved in making this happen, especially Congressman Emmer. He believed in us and this issue from day one. We have worked diligently for too long to honor the lives and the legacy of veterans who sacrificed so much for so many. And, we honor the lives of the loved ones who are grieving. We pray that this legislation eases some of that grief, knowing that there will be no delay in planning a burial or receiving earned benefits,” said Anoka County Commissioner Julie Jeppson.
Background:
Under current policy at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), it can take up to eight weeks to certify a veteran’s death when a veteran passes away from natural causes. These delays force families to delay burials and prolong their grief. The Veterans Burial Accountability Act addresses these issues by mandating that VA clinicians certify death within 48 hours of notification, permitting local coroners, medical examiners, and nurse practitioners to sign the veterans’ death certificate if the VA misses the deadline, requiring the VA Secretary to prepare a report to Congress on any death certificates signed beyond 48 hours, including reasons for refusal, and removing bureaucratic red tape that prevents timely burial and access to benefits for veteran families.
In the 118th Congress, Emmer successfully advocated for language requiring the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to prepare a report offering solutions to ensure veteran families receive their deceased veteran’s death certificate in a timely fashion to be included in the Fiscal Year 2025 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies (MilConVA) Appropriations Bill. The bill passed the House of Representatives on May 28, 2024, but failed to receive a vote in the United States Senate. Earlier this year, Congressman Emmer successfully advocated for similar language to be included in the Fiscal Year 2026 MilConVA Appropriations Bill which passed the House of Representatives in June. More information on that effort can be found here.
The Veterans Burial Accountability Act is supported by the American Legion Department of Minnesota, American Veterans, The Vietnam Veterans of America, With Honor, K9s for Warriors, the National Funeral Directors Association, and more than 400 state and local leaders. You can read their letter of support here.
You can read the bill in its entirety, here.
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