The Montana State Veterans Cemetery no longer allows most graveside services because of safety and liability concerns.

Montana Veterans Affairs Division Administrator Joe Foster says that the cemetery's new committal shelter is being used for most services.

Foster tells the Independent Record that exceptions are made for spiritual or exceptional circumstances.

The policy now is that services are held in the committal shelter and then the casket or urn is taken to where a grave has been opened awaiting the remains.

Families are not allowed access to the grave until the burial is complete and the grave is presentable.

Committal shelter services are used in Helena and Missoula, while graveside services still take place in Miles City, which does not have a committal shelter.

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