The US government operates 139 national cemeteries for military veterans and their families, managed by the National Cemetery Administration and the National Parks Service. Arlington National Cemetery is the most famous. Burial is reserved for those who served the US, with costs covered by the government. There are also 24 overseas cemeteries for American military dead.
US National Cemeteries are cemeteries operated by the US government. These cemeteries are seen as sites of cultural and historical significance, and many continue to be active cemeteries. Most of these cemeteries are intended for use by military veterans and their spouses and immediate family members. 139 cemeteries in the United States are recognized as national cemeteries, and there are also a number of state cemeteries operated by the various states.
123 of the United States’ national cemeteries are managed by the National Cemetery Administration, a branch of the Department of Veterans Affairs. These cemeteries are designated for military burial and can be found throughout the United States. Two national cemeteries are maintained by the Army. The remaining 14 are under the care of the National Parks Service and are no longer active burial sites. The National Parks Service oversees historic cemeteries such as cemeteries for Civil War veterans and early US settlers, with some burials in Parks-administered sites as late as the 1970s.
The most famous national cemetery is probably Arlington National Cemetery, located in Virginia. Some other notables include the Custer National Cemetery in Montana, the Golden Gate National Cemetery in California, and the Pacific Memorial National Cemetery in Hawaii. The National Cemetery Administration maintains an extensive list of those buried in national cemeteries across the United States, for people wishing to search for relatives and ancestors.
Interment in a United States National Cemetery is reserved for individuals who have distinguished themselves in service to the United States. All military veterans can be buried, with burial costs paid by the government, and US national cemeteries are also open to deceased presidents and members of some government agencies. People who have been dishonorably discharged are ineligible, as are people convicted of subversive behavior or treason.
In addition to the 139 national cemeteries in the United States, the US government also maintains 24 overseas cemeteries. These sites contain the graves of American military dead who have not been shipped back to the United States and are maintained by the American Battle Monuments Commission. Most of these cemeteries contain American soldiers who fought in World War I and World War II. After the 1940s, the US Army made great efforts to repatriate all American remnants to the United States.
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