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400 Murchison Road
Spring Lake, NC 28390
910-436-5630/5635
This information if provided as an informal source for those interested
in utilizing the Sandhills State Veterans Cemetery (Sandhills). This
information is written and intended to be a useful guide to assist you
with the cemetery requirements and operating procedures. The official law
and rules guiding the North Carolina State Veterans Cemetery Program is
established under Article 8A, Chapter 65, General Statutes of North
Carolina.
Hours of administrative operation are 8:30 am until 4:30 pm Monday
through Friday. No interments will be scheduled for Saturday, Sunday or
North Carolina State Holidays. Services will be scheduled to begin at the
cemetery at 10:00 am, 12:00 pm, or 2:00 pm.
Veteran eligibility must be honorable and will be verified by the
cemetery staff through the Veterans Administration Regional Office.
Therefore, it is extremely important we receive complete and timely
information from you concerning the veteran. Burial will be confirmed only
after the eligibility is verified and North Carolina residency is
confirmed. From our past experience this normally requires two working
days to verify the entitlement.
You may contact us by telephone to ascertain the availability of a
proposed interment time and date. However, we must have the information
(Sections I - IV) on the NCDVA-C1 from you prior to setting a
tentative time and date for the internment. Once the veteran or dependent
eligibility is established the time and date will be confirmed.
All arrangements are made through the funeral home including clergy,
and military honors. The cemetery staff is prohibited from making any type
of arrangements.
No reservations are accepted, space is assigned as needed.
The funeral home must obtain the DD 214 of the veteran, or if not
available, some type of Separation Notice, military orders, etc. If the
family has no documents, the cemetery staff will try and verify
eligibility by social security number, service umber, dates of service, or
any other document the family has.
In addition, the funeral home must request fro the next of kin proof of
the veteran's residence in the State of North Carolina. If the DD 214
shows the veteran was a resident of North Carolina at the time he/she
entered the armed forces, this will be sufficient proof of North Carolina residency.
Otherwise, proof must be established showing the veteran was either a
resident of North Carolina at the time of death or a resident for a period
of ten years during his/her lifetime.
Documentary evidence is required to provide proof and substantiate
claim of honorable military service, residence, marriage, and children as
well as dependent disability. It is the responsibility of the veteran, his
survivors or legal representatives to furnish the evidence necessary to
establish eligibility of the veteran or the family member prior to
interment in a North Carolina State Cemetery. Copies of these documents
may either be faxed or hand delivered to the cemetery.
Our staff will prepare the necessary forms to order the marker. They
may elect to visit the cemetery office prior to the date of the funeral,
or immediately prior to or after the service.
Both casketed and cremated remains will be identified by the flat light
gray granite markers provided by the Veterans Administration. No upright
or private monuments will be permitted under any circumstances.
The cemetery has a beautiful outdoor committal shelter where all
services are conducted. Seating must be provided by the funeral home, as
well as the church truck for the casket. Services are not conducted at the
gravesite and the casket must remain closed at all times. Committal
services should last no longer than 30 minutes. This allows the staff time
for burial before another service begins. Family members will not be
allowed at the grave while it is being closed. Upon closure, (usually two
hours) the family may return as desired.
A concrete vault will be required for the grave. All expenses related
to the purchase and placement of the grave vault will be at the expense of
the veteran, his family, or estate. Arrangements for this will be made
with the funeral home.
A temporary grave marker will be placed on the grave by our staff immediately
after interment, and will not be removed until the permanent marker is
installed.
There is a $150.00 fee for each opening and closing of graves for
eligible spouses and dependent children. This must be paid prior to
interment. The check will be made payable to the North Carolina Division
of Veterans Affairs. There is no charge for burial of eligible veterans.
There is a separate section in the cemetery for cremations.
A death certificate is required for all interments at Sandhills. It is
the responsibility of the funeral home to provide a faxed or photocopy of
the certificate once it is available.
The following information is needed in order to complete the Form
NCDVA-C1 (Verification of Eligibility for Burial in NC State Veterans
Cemetery). The completion of this form is required before a service
can be scheduled in a North Carolina State Veterans Cemetery. We
have these forms on file at the funeral home, and can help you complete
and file the necessary documents.
Section 1 - Funeral Home Information
Name of Funeral Home
Address
Phone Number
Date and Time Contacted
Section II - Decedent
First Middle and Last Name
Date of Birth
Date of Death
Legal Residence at Time of Death
Decedent: Son or Daughter or Spouse or Veteran
Section III - Veteran
First Middle and Last Name
Marital Status
Service Number
Social Security Number
VA Claim Number
Active Duty Dates
Military Status: Active Duty Retired Reserve
Veteran
Period of Service: WWI WWII
Korea Vietnam Other
Section IV - Next of Kin
Name
Address
Telephone Number
Relationship
Date of Birth of Widower (If next of kin)
Name of Mother (If decedent is a child)
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