Veterans Cemetery Grants Program Did Not Always Award Grants to Cemeteries Correctly and Hold States to Standards

Through the Veterans Cemetery Grants Program, the National Cemetery Administration (NCA) offers grants to states, US territories, and tribes to help provide final resting places for eligible veterans and family members where VA’s national cemeteries cannot meet burial needs. Grants may be used to establish, expand, or improve veterans cemeteries.The VA Office of Inspector General (OIG) audited the program to assess NCA’s governance and oversight. The audit team also assessed whether critical noncompliance issues at two cemeteries in Hawaii were addressed.The OIG found grants program staff did not rank and award some cemetery grants as regulations required. After grants were awarded, program staff generally ensured cemeteries used grants for their intended purpose. However, NCA did not ensure cemeteries with grants met all national shrine standards for installation of permanent markers, maintenance, and safety. The audit team observed noncompliance issues at eight state cemeteries, including critical issues at the Hilo and Makawao cemeteries in Hawaii. As a result, NCA lacks assurance that veterans and family members buried in state veterans cemeteries have been appropriately honored with timely and accurate grave markings, burial locations, and maintenance.The OIG made 11 recommendations to the under secretary for memorial affairs to ensure state cemetery grants are prioritized and awarded in accordance with federal regulations. The OIG also recommended NCA continue to seek an increase in cemetery grant funding.NCA should also evaluate current headstone and niche cover contracts for timeliness and quality issues, require cemeteries to submit annual performance assessments, and provide remote training options for cemetery employees. The OIG also recommended NCA work with Hawaii’s government to correct longstanding problems at its eight state veterans cemeteries.