Arkansas Benefits For Veterans      Welcome to the Arkansas Department of Veterans Affairs website. We feel privileged to serve the men and women who have so ably served our country in times of war and peace.     Our goal with this site is to provide up-to-date and useful information for veterans and their families on their rights and benefits including information on the Arkansas veterans’ homes, the state cemetery system, county offices, and links to other federal and state resources         Burials     In 1997, the 81st Arkansas General Assembly authorized the establishment of a state veterans cemetery.  On November 11, 2001, the Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery was formally dedicated to serve all honorably discharged veterans.  The cemetery, situated on an 82-acre site, is located in North Little Rock at 1501 West Maryland Avenue. The Arkansas Department of Veterans Affairs operates the cemetery to commemorate the military service of our deceased veterans.  Our cemetery system provides the visiting family and friends an atmosphere of peacefulness and dignity.         Outside Containers:     In the ground, double depth concrete liners are provided free of charge for burials.         Columbariums:     Niches are available for cremations.  The eligibility requirements and costs are the same as full size grave spaces.  The niche covers are not big enough for the same amount of inscription as the upright headstones, so there is no space for additional inscription. Internal size is 15" H x 20" L x 10 1/2" W.        Burial Eligibility:     Veterans and Members of the Armed Forces:     >Must be discharged under conditions other than dishonorable. >Any member of the Armed Forces of the United States who dies on active duty. >Any veteran who was discharged under conditions other than dishonorable. >With certain exceptions, service beginning after Sept. 7, 1980, as an enlisted person, and service after    Oct. 16, 1981, as an officer, must be for a minimum 24 continuous months or the full period for which the person was called to active duty.     National Guardsman or Reservist: Eligible for retirement pay at age 60; or Members called to active duty for 2 years or more, (does not have to be consecutive) or completed the full period for which they were called up. Members who die under honorable conditions or  while hospitalized or undergoing treatment, at the expense of the United States, for injury or disease contracted or incurred while performing active duty for training. Members who die under honorable conditions while performing full time AGR service.     Members who receive a Hardship Discharge while on active duty. Members discharged due to a service-connected disability while on active duty.     Others: >Commissioned Officers of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric >Administration, Commissioned Officers of the Regular or Reserve Corps of the >Public Health Service, >WWII Merchant Mariners, and Philippine Armed Forces. >Veteran's Dependents: >The veteran's spouse. >Unmarried child, (under the age of 21or 23 if still enrolled in school); or >A verifiable life-long dependent of the veteran.     We follow federal guidelines in determining eligibility for burial.        Who Is Not Eligible:     Former spouses whose marriage to an eligible veteran was terminated by divorce.     Any veteran convicted of a federal or state crime. This also includes those veterans who commit capital crimes but avoid conviction due to death or flight.     What Paperwork Is Necessary:     To schedule an interment, or to pre-register, the following forms must be provided:     >Veteran's military discharge papers (DD-214 or equivalent). >Signed cemetery application. >Marriage License (if married). >Check for $150 (spouse and dependent only) payable at the time of burial. >A Headstone Application Form or a Niche Application Form.