38 U.S.C. § 2414 — Communication between Department of Veterans Affairs and medical examiners and funeral directors

(a) Required Information. For each deceased veteran^* described in subsection (b) who is transported to a national cemetery for burial, the Secretary^* must ensure that the local medical examiner, funeral director, county service group, or other entity responsible for the body before transport gives the Secretary: (1) whether the veteran was cremated; and (2) the steps taken to ensure that the veteran has no next of kin.

(b) Deceased Veteran Described. This means a deceased veteran for whom the Secretary determines that no next of kin or other person claims the body and who lacks enough resources to provide a casket or urn for burial in a national cemetery, as the Secretary determines.