We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Military

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What are United States National Cemeteries?

Mary McMahon
By
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 11,349
Share

United States National Cemeteries are cemeteries maintained by the United States government. These cemeteries are viewed as sites with cultural and historic importance, and many continue to be active burial grounds. Most of these cemeteries are designated for use by veterans of the armed forces and their spouses and close family members. 139 cemeteries in the United States are recognized as National Cemeteries, and there are also a number of State Cemeteries which are handled by the various states.

123 of the United States National Cemeteries are maintained by the National Cemetery Administration, a branch of the Department of Veterans Affairs. These cemeteries are designated for military burial, and they can be found all over the United States. Two National Cemeteries are maintained by the Army. The remaining 14 are under the care of the National Parks Service, and they are no longer active burial sites. The National Parks Service oversees historic cemeteries such as burial grounds for Civil War veterans and early colonists of the United States, with some burials in Parks-administered sites as recent as the 1970s.

The most famous National Cemetery is probably Arlington National Cemetery, located in Virginia. Some other notables include Custer National Cemetery in Montana, Golden Gate National Cemetery in California, and the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Hawaii. The National Cemetery Administration maintains an extensive list of those interred in United States National Cemeteries, for people who wish to search for relatives and ancestors.

Burial in a United States National Cemetery is reserved for people who have distinguished themselves in service to the United States. All military veterans are eligible for burial, with the costs of the burial being paid by the government, and United States National Cemeteries are also open to deceased Presidents and members of certain government agencies. People who have been dishonorably discharged are not eligible, and likewise with people convicted of subversive behavior or treason.

In addition to the 139 National Cemeteries in the United States, the United States government also maintains 24 cemeteries overseas. These sites contain the graves of American military dead who were not shipped back to the United States, and they are managed by the American Battle Monuments Commission. Most of these cemeteries contain American soldiers who fought in World Wars One and Two. After the 1940s, the United States military went to great effort to repatriate all American remains to the United States.

Share
America Explained is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Mary McMahon
By Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a America Explained researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Discussion Comments
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a...

Learn more
Share
https://www.americaexplained.org/what-are-united-states-national-cemeteries.htm
Copy this link
America Explained, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

America Explained, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.