Advocacy In Action February 16, 2024 Like you, NFDA recognizes that our nation's veterans deserve a dignified funeral and burial that befits their sacrifice. That is why NFDA has deep relationships with the Department of Defense (DOD) and Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and is the expert these agencies turn to on funeral service-related matters. The VA is working on a new plan to issue urns and commemorative plaques to the families of deceased veterans. Our chief concern with this plan is that it could prevent some veterans from being buried with their spouses. NFDA recently submitted comments to the VA voicing our concerns and advocating that they adjust their plans to enable veterans and their spouses to be buried together if that is their wish. News outlets have been covering this issue and two articles recently highlighted NFDA's advocacy on this issue. Check them out: Military.com: VA Plan to Issue Urns, Memorial Plaques Sparks Concerns Veterans Will Be Barred from Burial with Spouses Newsmax: Concerns Raised About VA Burial Plan If you have any questions, please contact Lesley Witter, NFDA lobbyist and senior vice president, Advocacy at lwitter@nfda.org.