The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) furnishes upon request, at no charge to the applicant, a Government headstone or marker to mark the unmarked grave of an eligible veteran in any cemetery around the world. Previously furnished headstones and markers may be replaced at Government expense when badly deteriorated, illegible, stolen or vandalized. A replacement is also available if the headstone or marker is different from that specified by the applicant or permitted by the cemetery, the inscription is incorrect, if it was damaged in transit, or the material or workmanship does not meet specifications. There are specific styles of upright headstones and flat markers to mark the graves of Union and Confederate Civil War and Spanish-American War dead. Proof of military service prior to World War I requires detailed documentation, such as muster rolls, extracts from State files, pension documents or land warrants, to be considered for a Government-provided headstone or marker. Memorial markers are not usually provided for Civil War soldiers. The mere fact that the whereabouts of the grave is not known is not reason enough for issuing a government headstone or marker. The circumstances surrounding the soldiers' death should be such that it is assumed the remains were unrecoverable or unidentifiable due to burning, drowning or burial in a mass grave. If, however, there is documentation the soldier was buried in a mass grave, but the actual location of the body is unknown, VA will provide a memorial marker for placement in a national, state veteran or private cemetery. http://www.cem.va.gov/hm.htm Desoto Joe/The Record Man