TRENTON, N.J. – New Jersey lawmakers advanced a bipartisan measure Monday to guarantee that unclaimed veteran cremains receive the dignified burials they deserve, even as an American Legion post in Monmouth County continues uncovering the forgotten graves of service members denied that honor for years.
The Senate Military and Veterans’ Affairs Committee approved legislation sponsored by Senator Bob Singer (R-30) to streamline how unclaimed veteran remains are identified, tracked, and interred.
Singer’s bill, S-3022/A-1131, would require the New Jersey Electronic Death Registration System to automatically alert the Department of Veterans Affairs whenever the cremated remains of veterans, their spouses, or eligible dependents are recorded.
Legislation aims to close gaps in burial notification system
After one year, if the cremains remain unclaimed, the Department of Veterans Affairs could contact funeral homes and coordinate with veterans’ organizations to ensure proper burial arrangements. Singer said the proposal modernizes a process that too often leaves veterans’ remains unaccounted for.
“Every veteran deserves the dignity of a proper burial,” he said. “By modernizing how we identify and track unclaimed ashes, we’re creating a compassionate process to ensure every veteran is laid to rest with honor.”
The measure comes amid renewed attention to how unclaimed or unmarked veterans’ remains are handled across the state.
Legion post restores long-overdue recognition in Hazlet
In Union Beach, members of American Legion Post 321 discovered dozens of veterans buried in unmarked graves at Shoreland Memorial Gardens in Hazlet during a Memorial Day flag detail. Their government-issued headstones were found stored in a closet with a note that read “Not Paid,” referring to unpaid installation fees that left the graves without markers.
Although the Department of Veterans Affairs provides headstones at no cost, cemeteries may charge families for installation—sometimes as much as $1,600. The practice left many service members without visible recognition of their military service.
Community rallies to honor the forgotten
Post 321 launched the Veterans Grave Marker Project, led by Commander William Gilkison, Squadron Commander Phil Ganz, and Chaplain Bob LaCour, to correct the oversight.
A fundraiser organized by Marine veteran Joe Pitch and local band The Vinyl Renegades raised more than $5,600, allowing for proper installation and ceremonies honoring several veterans, including World War II Marine Staff Sergeant Marie Freitag, Vietnam-era soldier Sgt. Jose Antonio Albino, and Navy Senior Petty Officer Herman Lee Credle.
The events drew veterans, military leaders, youth cadets, and local organizations who came together to restore dignity to those once forgotten. Chaplain LaCour said the effort has uncovered more unmarked graves across Monmouth County and vowed to continue the mission.
“We can’t let this go,” he said. “The American Legion Family vows that no Veteran will be forgotten.”
