VA Form 27-2008: Application for United States Flag for Burial Purposes

Under Information About the Deceased Veteran, complete as much as possible: enter the First, Middle, Last Name of Veteran (Print or type) in Box 1 and the Maiden Name or Other Name(s) Veteran Used While on Active Duty (Print or type) in Box 2.

Enter the Social Security Number in Box 4, the VA File Number in Box 3 and the Military Service Number/Serial Number in Box 5.

In Box 6, Branch of Service, check the box for Army, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, USPHS or NOAA.

For Selected Service, see Section C(3) on page 2: members or former members of the Selected Reserve (Army, Air Force, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, or Naval Reserve; Air National Guard; or Army National Guard) who served at least one enlistment or, in the case of an officer, the period of initial obligation, or were discharged for disability incurred or aggravated in line of duty, or died while a member of the Selected Reserve.

For Other, see Section C(1) on page 2.

Enter the Date Entered Active Duty (or Selected Reserve) in Box 7 and the Date Released From Active Duty (or Selected Reserve) in Box 8, each as MM/DD/YYYY.

Enter the Date of Birth in Box 9, the Date of Death in Box 10 and the Date of Burial in Box 11, each as MM/DD/YYYY.

Enter the Place of Burial (Name of cemetery, city, and State) in Box 12.

Box 13: Has documentation been presented or attached that shows the veteran meets the eligibility criteria? Check Yes or No. If "No," explain in Item 15, "Remarks".

Provide a copy of the veteran's discharge documents that shows service dates and the character of service, such as DD Form 214, or verification of service from the veteran's service department or VA.

If the claimant is unable to provide documentary proof, a flag may be issued when a statement is made by a person of established character and reputation that he/she personally knows the deceased to have been a veteran who meets the eligibility criteria.

Under Information About the Flag Recipient and Applicant, enter the Name of Person Entitled to Receive Flag in 14A, the Relationship of Deceased Veteran in 14B, the Address of Person Entitled to Receive Flag (Number and street or rural route, P.O. Box, City, State and ZIP Code) in 14C, the Telephone Number in 14D and the Remarks in 15.

The flag is given to the following person(s) in the order of precedence listed: surviving spouse, children, according to age, parents, including adoptive, stepparents, and foster parents, brothers or sisters, including brothers or sisters of half blood, uncles or aunts, nephews or nieces, others, such as cousins or grandparents. When there is no next-of-kin, VA will furnish the flag to a friend making a request for it.

If there is no living relative or one cannot be located, and no friend requests the flag, it must be returned to the nearest VA facility.

You certify that the statements made in this document are true and complete to the best of your knowledge. You further certify that the deceased veteran is eligible, in accordance with the attached instructions, for issue of a United States flag for burial purposes, and such flag has not been previously applied for or furnished.

Sign in ink in Box 16, Signature of Applicant.

Enter the Address of Applicant (Number and street or rural route, P.O. Box, City, State, ZIP Code) in Box 17, the Relationship to Deceased Veteran in Box 18 and the Date Signed (MM/DD/YYYY) in Box 19.

Penalty: the law provides that whoever makes any statement of a material fact knowing it to be false shall be punished by a fine, imprisonment, or both.

Under Acknowledgment of Receipt of Flag (only one flag may be issued for each deceased veteran), Box 20 is the Signature of Person Receiving Flag (Sign in INK) and Box 21 is the Date Flag Issued (MM/DD/YYYY).

Postmaster or other issuing official: when the burial flag is issued, send the completed VA Form 27-2008 to: NCA Field Programs Evidence Intake Center, P. O. Box 5237, Janesville, WI 53547.

When a burial is in a national, State, or military post cemetery, a burial flag will be provided by a funeral home.

In VA Form 27-2008 (MAY 2024), page 2: applicants residing overseas can apply for burial flags at U.S. embassies and consulates.

VA cannot replace a burial flag if it is lost, destroyed or stolen.

However, some veteran organizations or community groups may be able to help you get another flag.

Who is not eligible for a burial flag? Veterans who received a dishonorable discharge.

Members of the Selected Reserve whose last discharge from service was under conditions less favorable than honorable.

Peacetime veterans who were discharged before June 27, 1950 and did not serve at least one complete enlistment or incur or aggravate a disability in the line of duty.

Veterans who were convicted of a Federal capital crime and sentenced to death or life imprisonment, or were convicted of a State capital crime and sentenced to death or life imprisonment without parole, or were found to have committed a Federal or State capital crime but were not convicted by reason of not being available for trial due to death or flight to avoid prosecution.

Discharged or rejected draftees, or members of the National Guard, who reported to camp in answer to the President's call for World War I service but who, when medically examined, were not finally accepted for military service.

Persons who were discharged from World War I service prior to November 12, 1918, on their own application or solicitation by reason of being an alien, or any veterans discharged for alienage during a period of hostilities.

Persons who served with any of the forces allied with the United States in any war, even though United States citizens, if they did not serve with the United States armed forces.

Persons inducted for training and service who, before entering such training and service were transferred to the Enlisted Reserve Corps and given a furlough.

Former temporary members of the United States Coast Guard Reserve.

Various information requested is considered essential to the proper processing of the application. Ensure these areas are completed as fully as possible.

Complete VA Form 27-2008, and submit it to any VA regional office or U.S. Post Office.

Generally, the flag is given to the next-of-kin as a keepsake after its use during the funeral service.