[TheGunny]

I'd imagine that, barring a direct declaration from the deceased, the next of kin should have the right to make the determination

Nope! If there is no declaration, then there is no religious symbol (unless specified by the deceased).

[Antonello]

Nope! If there is no declaration, then there is no religious symbol (unless specified by the deceased).

That's funny, I always thought it was determined by whatever was written in Block 12 of the VA Form 40-1330 that gets filled out by the next of kin. Do you have a cite for a regulation saying otherwise?