Legislation Governing Burial Sites for Fallen Ukrainian Defenders
President Volodymyr Zelensky has enacted a law that establishes regulations for the creation of military cemeteries, outlines procedures for honorary burials, identifies funding sources, and mandates burial record-keeping. This legislation, passed by the Verkhovna Rada on April 30, provides the legal foundation for honoring those who defended Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity. As Ukraine continues to face ongoing conflict, this law addresses a critical need for dignified and organized burial practices for its fallen service members.
Key Provisions of the Law
The law governs how military cemeteries are established and operated, defining specific terms such as:
- military cemetery
- military memorial cemetery
- historic military cemetery
- honorary burial site
- military burial sector
It permits the use of state-owned land for the National Military Memorial Cemetery and other regional military memorial cemeteries. At the same time, it prohibits repurposing land from national nature reserves, water reserves, or residential zones for such facilities.
Regarding honorary burial eligibility, the following groups qualify:
- members of the security and defense forces
- police officers
- combatants
- individuals with war-related disabilities
- recipients of state honors
- participants in international peacekeeping missions
Honorary burials will be denied to those with an unexpunged conviction for a deliberate crime. The Cabinet of Ministers will set the rules for organizing these burials and commemorations, while a special commission may make individual burial decisions.
Funding for burials of service members and other designated categories will come from the state budget, with local budgets covering certain cases. The National Military Memorial Cemetery and other military memorial cemeteries will remain state property and cannot be leased or privatized. Every burial and reburial must be registered in official record books, including electronic formats.
In essence, this new law aims to properly honor fallen defenders and guarantee their right to a dignified burial. It also reflects the state’s commitment to supporting and commemorating those who gave their lives for Ukraine’s independence, creating a legal framework for organizing military burials in the future.
In addition to the recently signed law on military cemeteries, Ukraine's legislative body has also addressed the need for memorials dedicated to fallen defenders. This new legislation outlines significant changes aimed at enhancing the recognition and commemoration of those who sacrificed their lives for the nation. For a comprehensive understanding of these pivotal updates, you can read more about the new memorial legislation.