Graveside Services Still Allowed for Montana Military Families After Governor Directive

Concerns over a national policy that would have restricted the ability of a veteran’s family to have a graveside service have reached the ear of Montana Governor Steve Bullock.

"It's been a national policy created by the National Cemeteries Administration, and their guidance was that families were not allowed to be graveside during the burial process except under exceptional circumstances," said Governor's Office spokesman Dave Parker.

That order was reversed with a directive from Governor Bullock.

"What governor Bullock did today was to direct the Montana Veteran Affairs division to allow any military family that requests to be graveside during the burial, to allow them to do that," Parker said.

In the press release, Bullock puts it this way:

“When a Montana veteran is laid to rest, their loved ones should be near them throughout the ceremony, including the graveside burial.”

According to Parker, there have not yet been any Montana families who have reported being unable to hold a graveside service. After Bullock’s directive, the state veteran’s cemeteries in Missoula, Helena and Miles City will allow graveside services.