Cemetery and Memorial Program

The State of Maryland and the Maryland Department of Veterans and Military Families (DVMF) are honored to offer our veterans, National Guard, Reservists and their eligible dependents a final resting place at one of five state veterans cemeteries located throughout Maryland. The DVMF Cemetery Program is the largest of its kind in the nation.  In addition the Maryland Department of Veterans and Military Families manages three veteran Memorials.  The Maryland World War II Memorial is in Annapolis, and the Vietnam War and Korean War Memorials are in Baltimore. Additionally, the Department shares joint responsibility with the City of Baltimore for the War Memorial Building in Baltimore.

Cemetery Program

Maryland’s State Veterans Cemeteries

• Cheltenham Veterans Cemetery, Prince George’s County, Maryland, Phone: 301-372-6398

Cheltenham State Veterans Cemetery is located on U.S. Route 301, approximately 8 miles south of Upper Marlboro, Maryland.  The site consists of 112-acres and was formerly used for agricultural purposes.  Currently, the Cheltenham Veterans Cemetery is conducting more than 1,000 burials each year and is the final resting place for over 30,000 Maryland veterans and their eligible dependents.  The cemetery was established in July 1978 and is expected to provide a total of over 50,000 burial sites.  The committal shelter at the cemetery was dedicated to the memory of Senator Edward T. Conroy, who was instrumental in the passage of legislation enabling the development of Maryland’s State Veterans Cemeteries. Cheltenham Cemetery Map

• Crownsville Veterans Cemetery, Anne Arundel County, Maryland, Phone: 410-987-6320

Crownsville State Veterans Cemetery is located off State Route 178 on Sunrise Beach Road.  The 103-acre site, originally used for farming, is surrounded by a peaceful Severn River residential community.  Near the center of the cemetery is a one-acre family cemetery dating back to 1875.  The cemetery is retained by the heirs and assigns of the Carter family in perpetuity.  The Crownsville Veterans Cemetery opened in July of 1978 and has interred more than 28,000 Maryland veterans and their dependents.  When fully developed, the site is expected to provide more than 48,000 burial plots. Crownsville Cemetery Map

• Eastern Shore Veterans Cemetery, Dorchester County, Maryland, Phone: 410-943-3420

Eastern Shore Veterans Cemetery at Hurlock is located 2 miles south of Preston and about 5 miles northwest of Hurlock on State Route 331.  Eastern Shore Veterans Cemetery opened in June 1976 and has utilized approximately 7,300 of the 14,000 available burial sites.  Donated by the citizens of Dorchester County, the site was formerly a 51-acre wheat field.  The design of this cemetery is unique.  The layout of the burial sites is based on a system of radials and concentric circles centered on the American flag in the plaza area of the committal shelter. Eastern Shore Cemetery Map

• Garrison Forest Veterans Cemetery, Owings Mills, Baltimore County, Maryland, Phone: 410-363-6090 

Garrison Forest Veterans Cemetery is the most active of Maryland’s 5 Veterans Cemeteries, conducting more than 1,100 burials per year.  Currently, this cemetery is the second busiest State Veterans Cemetery in the nation.  Since November 1983, when the facility opened, more than 48,000 veterans and their dependents have selected this cemetery as a final resting place.  Five phases of cemetery development are expected to provide approximately 50,000 burial sites at this location.  The Garrison Forest Veterans Cemetery is located on Garrison Forest Road, near the Rosewood State Hospital, in Owings Mills, Maryland.  Formerly used for agricultural purposes, the site consists of 17 acres bounded by woodlands.  Garrison Forest Cemetery Map

• Rocky Gap Veterans Cemetery, Allegany County, Maryland, Phone: 301-777-2185

Rocky Gap Veterans Cemetery is a 27-acre site located within the Rocky Gap State Park, just off Interstate 68 in Allegany County.  Opened in June 1981, The Rocky Gap Veterans Cemetery is approximately 5 miles east of Cumberland and is one of the most picturesque cemeteries given the backdrop of mountains.  Approaching the cemetery, visitors are treated to views of both Lake Habeeb and Evitt’s Mountain.  Over 5,900 veterans and their eligible dependents are interred at the cemetery.  Rocky Gap Veterans Cemetery has approximately 4,000 available burial sites.  Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient, Sergeant Robert W. Hartsock, is interred at this cemetery.  Rocky Gap Cemetery Map

FLAG FLYING PROCEDURES: 

Eligibility

VETERAN/VETERAN DEPENDENT ELIGIBILITY:

The DVMF follows criteria established by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs National Cemetery Administration (NCA) to determine eligibility for burial at a Maryland Veterans Cemetery. Eligibility criteria for both veterans and dependents can be found by visiting the National Cemetery Administration.  In addition to the NCA requirements for veterans eligibility, the DVMF also has a residency requirement of the veteran.  See below for documentation requirements.

Documentation needed to determine eligibility:

• military service:  A copy of an official military discharge document is usually sufficient to determine eligibility for burial.  Discharge documentation is usually not needed for scheduling when a veteran or eligible dependent is already interred in a Maryland Veterans Cemetery.
• residency requirement (for the veteran): A discharge document indicating Maryland as the home of record, draft board records showing legal residence at time of entrance into military service, two years of tax assessments on property owned by veteran, nursing home, hospital or institutional records showing that upon admission the veteran’s legal residence was in Maryland, two years of continuous Maryland tax records, Maryland school transcripts – 12 years or more continuous enrollment, up to date Maryland voting record, valid Maryland drivers license, Maryland utility bills, letter on an elected official’s letter head verifying two years Maryland residency, recognized fraternal, civic or veterans organization official letterhead providing a record of 2 years residency, any other substantial evidence that may establish the required residency

NATIONAL GUARD/RESERVISTS/DEPENDENT ELIGIBILITY:

Maryland residents who have completed their contractual obligation of service in the national guard or who served in the reserve capacity of the armed forces and their qualified dependents may submit a request to be interred in a Maryland state veteran cemetery. A fee equal to the annual plot allowance established by the National Cemetery Administration will be collected at time of burial for the guardsman, reservist or their qualified dependent. The fee will be applied to the labor, administration, marker or niche cover, casket liner and the perpetual care of the gravesite.

National Guard – Any member of the Army National Guard or the Air National Guard who completed their contractual obligation of service and was discharged or released from service under conditions other than dishonorable or whose death occurs under conditions other than dishonorable while a member of the Army National Guard or the Air National Guard. A discharge form NGB-22 with a character of service other than dishonorable will be acceptable for eligibility along with proof of Maryland residence. Qualified dependents will need supporting documentation proving relation to the guardsmen.

Reservists – Any member of a reserve component of the Armed Forces who completed their contractual obligation of service and was discharged or released from service under conditions other than dishonorable or whose death occurs under conditions other than dishonorable while a member of such a reserve component. Any member of the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps of the Army, Navy, or Air Force whose death occurs under conditions other than dishonorable while a member of the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps of the Army, Navy, or Air Force. A DD-214 undeleted version (DD-215 for corrections) with a character of service other than dishonorable and a Discharge Letter with order number from their respected service department will be acceptable for eligibility along with proof of Maryland residence. Qualified dependents will need supporting documentation proving relation to the reservist.

Veterans Cemetery Program Contact Information:

Russell Ware, Director
1122 Sunrise Beach Road
Crownsville, Maryland 21032
Phone 410-923-6981
Fax  410-987-3920

Hours of Operation and Visiting

All five cemeteries are fully operational.  Shelter capacity has returned to normal conditions.  

Visiting:

Visiting hours are normal, Monday-Sunday, 8:00AM to 4:45PM

Burials:

Cemeteries are operating under normal burial schedules.  

Pre-interment Planning

A Pre-interment Program is available to indicate desire to be buried in one of the state’s cemeteries. On a pre-need basis this Program provides initial eligibility for burial. Please note that a pre-approved interment letter does not finalize eligibility for burial in a Maryland Veterans Cemetery.  The  DVMF reserves the right to confirm final eligibility for burial at the time of death.

To apply, complete the Pre-interment application and mail to the desired cemetery location as indicated on the form.

Burial Scheduling

To schedule a burial in all DVMF cemeteries, the family or survivors should furnish to the funeral director a copy of military discharge documents and proof of his or her Maryland residency. The funeral director will contact the cemetery to receive a burial eligibility determination and to schedule a date and time for the burial services.

The funeral director or other person making interment arrangements for an eligible person should communicate immediately with the Superintendent of the nearest State Veterans Cemetery. They should furnish all pertinent data, including military service information, the claim number of any U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs claim, Social Security number and other information establishing legal residence within the State.

In each Maryland State Veterans Cemetery, a committal shelter is provided for committal services for reasons of public safety. All services in State Veterans Cemeteries are brief committal services, no longer than 20 minutes. If desired, the family may accompany the remains of their loved one to the assigned burial site and view the interment from the roadside where their safety can be assured.

Assignment of Grave Sites

One grave site will be assigned for the burial of an eligible veteran/National Guard member/Reservist and the eligible members of his or her immediate family. If a family member is to be buried, interment will be either above or below the veteran/National Guard member/Reservist.

Assignment of a grave site will be made on the basis of availability at the cemetery closest to the individual’s home at the time the request for interment is received and after the eligibility is established.

A particular grave site may not be reserved in advance. All grave sites are assigned on the scheduled date of burial. However, at the time of death, if it is established that the surviving spouse is entitled to a separate grave site, the Department may approve a request to adjoin the grave sites.

Garrison Forest Veterans Cemetery and Crownsville Veterans Cemetery no longer have independently apportioned burial sites for Jewish Veterans.  If it is the wish of a Jewish Veteran or family member to be interred in an apportioned section, there are limited burial sites available at the Cheltenham Veterans Cemetery.  The practice of establishing reserved sections for certain categories of individuals is prohibited at all Veteran Affairs National Cemeteries and grant funded State Veteran Cemeteries. The US Department of Veterans Affairs no longer allows apportioning sections of a cemetery to Jewish Veterans.  In order for the DVMF to meet eligibility criteria for a 100% funded grant from the US Department of Veterans Affairs, the State of Maryland must certify compliance with Section 39.11 of Title 38, Code of Federal Regulations including all Federal Statutes relating to non-discrimination.  Please forward questions relating to this information to Russell Ware, Cemetery Program Director, 410-923-6981.  

Interment Receptacles

An interment receptacle is either a burial vault or liner constructed of concrete and is intended to protect the casket from water and other elements.

Maryland law requires the use of an interment receptacle for the interment of all casket remains in a Maryland State Veterans Cemetery. A burial liner will be provided by the State for the casket remains of each eligible veteran and their eligible dependent interred. The liner is provided at no cost to the veteran’s next-of-kin.  

If a grave liner that exceeds the standard dimension is required for the burial of an eligible family member, National Guard member, or Reservist, it is the responsibility of the deceased’s next-of-kin or their agent to purchase, deliver, and install the grave liner.

If a burial vault is desired, arrangements for its delivery and installation must be made independently by the veteran or his/her survivors or his/her legal representative. The cost of the vault and its installation is the responsibility of the veteran or his/her survivors or his/her legal representative.

Caskets

The remains of a veteran/National Guard member/Reservist or a member of their immediate family shall arrive at the cemetery and be interred in a casket that is acceptable for viewing in a funeral home establishment. The interment of shipping containers, wooden boxes, and other similar containers is not permitted.

Once the casket has entered the State Veterans Cemetery, it may not be opened or stored in a cemetery building pending final determination of eligibility. All viewings of remains are to be conducted at a funeral home or other establishment outside the State Veterans Cemetery.

Grave Markers

A permanent grave marker with an appropriate inscription will be furnished for each veteran or eligible dependent by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Each grave site in a State Veterans Cemetery is marked with a single granite marker which contains, when appropriate, the inscription of information about the veteran and other eligible family members interred.

The standard grave marker in a State Veterans Cemetery is the flat granite type. Placement of any type other than the standard flat granite marker is prohibited.

The Superintendent of the Veterans Cemetery will file an application for a marker on the day of the eligible veteran’s or family member’s interment. The grave marker shall be installed and maintained by the cemetery at no expense to the veteran or the veteran’s estate. Headstones are generally received from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs within 6 months after the date of burial. Please be aware that DVMF has no jurisdiction over the timeliness of headstone delivery.

DVMF is not responsible for damage to, or destruction of, a grave marker by individuals other than employees assigned to that cemetery by the Department. In accordance with U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs policy, government-provided headstones and markers remain the property of the United States and no one is authorized to alter them in any manner. Flower vases and other objects are not permitted to be affixed to Government markers.

Great care is taken to ensure our veteran cemeteries serve as national shrines.  In order to become a national shrine the US VA National Cemetery Administration establishes standards by which state veteran cemeteries must comply.  Markers are continuously assessed to determine the need to raise and realign, safeguarding dignity for our veterans and dependents interred in the cemetery and ensuring compliance with these standards.  Over time, environmental conditions, such as freezing, thawing, and extreme weather, may impact alignment and leveling of markers causing misplacement.  The grounds are assessed continuously by cemetery personnel.  When a misalignment is observed, or when notification of a misalignment is received, prompt attention is given to reset markers.

Effective October 1, next-of-kin are not responsible for a veteran’s eligible dependents’ marker.  Markers will be ordered by the cemetery superintendent from an authorized vendor so as to match that of eligible veteran’s markers provided by the USDVA.  In order to maintain USDVA’s national shrine standards, each marker will be subject to the same limitations and maintenance procedures described above.

If you have questions regarding our efforts to serve as a national shrine, please contact the Cemetery Superintendent in the Administration Office.  On weekends you may leave a message at the corresponding cemetery and your call will be returned the next business day.

Burial Costs

As of October 1, 2024, an eligible veteran and their eligible dependents receive a burial plot, a grave liner, headstone and interment services at no expense.  Other expenses incurred in the preparation or transportation of the remains, including funeral costs, is borne by the veteran’s next-of-kin, legal representative or estate.

National Guard members, Reservists, and eligible dependents will be buried after payment of the following fees:

• $978; this cost is inclusive of casketed and cremated interments, liner cost for dependent spouse(s) or children, and perpetual care
• $978 will be charged for veterans,  National Guard members, Reservists, dependent spouse(s) or children for disinterments or re-interments of casketed or cremated remains

The burial of an eligible dependent will be equal to the burial plot allowance provided by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs for burial of a veteran in a State Veterans’ Cemetery.  The cost is subject to change yearly (October 1) when the burial plot allowance could be adjusted by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

The DVMF Cemetery Program requires only one check for burial and accepts the following forms of payment for opening/closing and liners:

• funeral home/mortuary business check
• cashier’s check
• money order

Checks and money orders should be made payable to Maryland Department of Veterans and Military Families prior to interment.

Placement of Floral or Other Tributes

The placement of floral items and flags on graves, other than on the day of interment, is subject to the following conditions:

• Fresh cut flowers may be placed on graves at any time in metal containers. Glass containers are not permitted.
• Flowers and temporary containers will be removed from graves as soon as bouquets become unsightly. During the growing season, when grass requires cutting, both fresh flowers and those that have become unsightly will be removed from graves prior to grounds maintenance.
• Artificial flowers and wreaths may be placed on graves from November 1 through March 31 only.
• Wreaths and seasonal displays are permitted only from December 1 through January 31. Any seasonal displays remaining on graves as of February 1st will be removed and discarded. It is recommended that family members and friends retrieve valuable floral arrangements before that date to avoid disappointment.
• With the exception of Christmas, potted plants and holiday wreaths may be placed on graves 10 days before and 10 days after Easter Sunday and Memorial Day (the date of State observance). Potted plants and wreaths are not permitted on graves at any other time.
• Permanent plantings, statues, vigil lights, glass objects, commemorative and religious items are not permitted on graves. All unauthorized items will be removed and discarded by cemetery personnel.
• Floral items and seasonal or other decorations may not be secured or placed on trees, shrubs or other appurtenances within the cemetery.

Over 115,000 interments have been conducted in Maryland State Veterans Cemeteries. The Department cannot adequately police all grave sites to deter theft and cannot be responsible for stolen or missing floral items. It is recommended that family members or friends avoid placing expensive, elaborate, floral tributes that may invite theft on grave sites.

Small United States flags will be placed on graves by Department personnel at least one day preceding Memorial Day (the date of State observance) and will be removed the day following the holiday, weather permitting. Flags are not permitted on graves at any other time.

Effective October 1, 2021: Balloon Release Prohibition Policy

This policy pertains to all DVMF cemeteries and memorials. In order to comply with Chapter 610 HB 391 Solid Waste Management – Prohibition on Releasing a Balloon Into the Atmosphere Act, intentional release of any number of balloons is prohibited on any property owned, operated or maintained by the DVMF Cemetery & Memorial Programs. Any persons violating this act will be subject to all penalties and fees associated with the violation.

Permanent In-Ground Flower Containers

Effective September 1, 1997, the Maryland Department of Veterans and Military Families will no longer accept permanent in-ground flower containers in its five veterans cemeteries.

Military Funeral Honors

The Maryland National Guard Honor Guard (MDNGHG) offers Military Funeral Honors to veterans who served in the Armed Forces of the United States and were separated with a discharge other than Dishonorable. The MDNGHG operates out of 4 locations throughout the state providing professional and dignified services to departed Maryland veterans.  For Reservist burials, family members should contact their respected service to verify eligibility and to coordinate an honor guard.

They also participate in presenting Colors at special occasions and events such as Memorial Day, Veterans Day, and various patriotic ceremonies. These highly motivated and well trained Honor Guardsmen are governed by their motto “In Solemn Dignity.”

Visit the Maryland Military Department’s Funeral Program for more information.

To speak with someone regarding Military Funeral Honors contact the Maryland National Guard Honor Guard at 667-296-3440.

Source: Maryland National Guard Honor Guard

For Reservist burials, family members should contact their respected service to verify eligibility and to coordinate an honor guard.

Note: The Maryland Department of Veterans and Military Families, including its employees, or representatives, cannot assume responsibility for providing military honors. If military honors are desired, the survivors of the veteran should address their request  to the funeral director.

Memorial Program