Senators Cramer, Fetterman Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Expand VA Burial Benefits

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BISMARCK, N.D. - Under existing law, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) may only provide burial markers or headstones for spouses and dependent children who died after Nov. 11, 1998, and before Oct. 1, 2025. U.S. Senators Kevin Cramer (R-ND) and John Fetterman (D-PA) introduced the Dennis and Lois Krisfalusy Act to eliminate this restriction and permanently authorize the VA to provide memorial headstones or markers for veterans, their spouses, and dependents.

The legislation was named in honor of Dennis "Denny" Krisfalusy, a U.S. Air Force veteran who served during the Vietnam War. Dennis and his wife, Lois Krisfalusy, tragically died during an earthquake in Mexico City in 1985, with neither of their remains recovered. While Dennis received a memorial headstone at the Cemetery of the Alleghenies, Lois was ineligible to have her name added under current VA regulations due to an arbitrary date restriction.

"The spouses and families of our men and women in uniform serve and sacrifice alongside their loved ones, and Congress should ensure they can stay together in their final resting place," said Senator Cramer. "An arbitrary, outdated restriction prohibitsthe VA from providing a memorial headstone or marker for military spouses and dependents if they passed away before 1998. Our bipartisan legislation removes this hurdle, giving families much-needed closure."

"Our veterans and their families have sacrificed so much, and they deserve to be honored together without arbitrary barriers in the way," said Senator Fetterman."Dennis and Lois Krisfalusy's story of loss and frustration is just one example of the families impacted by this policy. By fixing this injustice, we're ensuring that families like theirs can be laid to rest together and memorialized with dignity."

The Dennis and Lois Krisfalusy Act is supported by the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), and the Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA). A companion measure was introduced in the House by U.S. Representatives Guy Reschenthaler (R-PA-14), Chris Deluzio (D-PA-17), John Joyce, M.D. (R-PA-13), Mike Kelly (R-PA-16), Dan Meuser (R-PA-09), and G.T. Thompson (R-PA-15).

Click here for bill text.