The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine approved a procedure that allows, in exceptional cases, the reburial of family members of prominent figures of the liberation movement along with them at the National Military Memorial Cemetery (NVMC). This is stated in government resolution No. 672 of May 27, 2026.
New rules and the role of a special commission
The government approved a new version of the procedure for reburial of prominent fighters for Ukraine's independence in the XX century. The document provides for the possibility of simultaneous reburial of family members of a deceased or deceased figure in one grave.
The decision on such reburial will be made by a special commission established at the Ukrainian Institute of National Remembrance (UINP). Its composition will include representatives of:
- UINP and the Ministry of Veterans Affairs;
- Ministry of Defense and the National Academy of Sciences;
- public organizations involved in preserving national memory.
In case of a positive conclusion from the commission, a unified tombstone, the sample of which is approved by the government, will be installed on the common grave.
Discussion surrounding Andriy Melnyk's burial
The regulatory changes occurred against the backdrop of the reburial at NVMC of the head of the Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists, Colonel of the UNR Army Andriy Melnyk, and his wife Sofia Fedak-Melnyk,which took place on May 25. The published photographs of the graves caused public discussion due to the different designs of the couple's tombstones.
Director of the Center for Research of the Liberation Movement Daria Hirna notedthat the practice of the American Arlington Cemetery involves using a single slab for a couple, indicating the names of both parties. She called for the implementation of better international standards of memorial culture in Ukraine to avoid visual segregation of family members.
Pantheon of prominent Ukrainians
According to historian and Member of Parliament Volodymyr Vyatrovych, the reburial of Andriy Melnyk is the initial stage. In the future, the remains of prominent figures are planned to be moved to the National Pantheon of Heroes, which will be created in the center of Kyiv for holding events of the highest state level.
In addition, Ukraine is currently preparing for the return of the ashes of the founder of OUN Yevhen Konovalets for his subsequent reburial on native soil.
