The Minnesota State Legislature recently passed a bill expanding burial eligibility at Minnesota State Veterans Cemeteries for Minnesota National Guard or Reserve components who completed a full term of service and received an honorable discharge but did not meet the current federal definition of Veteran.

Members who died while in good standing with the assigned component and whose death was not due to willful misconduct are also eligible. This expansion is also available to eligible spouses, minor children or unmarried adult children of those service members.

“The issue of National Guard and Reserve members having access to Minnesota State Veterans Cemeteries has been discussed for many years,” says Tim Uecker, Deputy Director of Memorial Affairs. “What eventually paved the way for this successful legislative effort was the passage of the national Burial Equity for Guards and Reserves Act of 2022.”

The four Minnesota State Veterans Cemeteries include:

• Duluth
• Little Falls
• Preston
• Redwood Falls

National Guard and Reserve members are eligible for this new benefit starting Jan. 1, 2027. More information will be available soon on the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs State Cemeteries page. You can also reach out to one of the four State Veterans Cemeteries for information or to schedule appointments for pre-registration.

The bill also adjusts the burial fee statute and expands the eligibility for Honor Guard services per diem for those fitting the expanded eligibility as well as Veterans of the Secret War in Laos.