Congressman Yakym introduces Ensuring Veterans’ Final Resting Place Act

Friday, January 24, 2025 at 11:30 AM

By Staff report

'I am proud to introduce this commonsense legislation on behalf of families and friends of veterans who have gone before us so that more of our veterans can be remembered and honored in a VA National Cemetery as their final resting place.'

On Thursday, Congressman Rudy Yakym (IN-02) introduced the Ensuring Veterans’ Final Resting Place Act of 2025. Yakym also introduced similar legislation in the 118th Congress. This pro-veteran legislation is written to ensure that the families of deceased veterans are not constrained when deciding the manner in which their loved one is laid to rest. Specifically, this legislation allows a veteran’s survivor who initially chose to receive an urn or plaque from the VA to also have their loved one interred at a VA National Cemetery at a later date.

"We are forever indebted to our nation's veterans, and we owe it to the loved ones of our deceased veterans to honor their memory," Yakym said. "I am proud to introduce this commonsense legislation on behalf of families and friends of veterans who have gone before us so that more of our veterans can be remembered and honored in a VA National Cemetery as their final resting place."

“Ensuring that our nation’s veterans have the dignified final resting place they have earned is a fundamental duty to both them and their families in exchange for their service in uniform,” said House Veterans' Affairs Committee Chairman Mike Bost. “My friend from Indiana’s bill, the Ensuring Veterans’ Final Resting Place Act of 2025, would fix a loophole and rightfully allow a veteran’s family to inter their loved one in a VA National Cemetery, even if they previously opted for an urn or plaque. Rep. Yakym’s bill is a commonsense solution to give veteran families the flexibility to make the best burial decision for their loved one's final resting place.”

Full text of the legislation can be found here, and a one-page summary of background information can be accessed here.