Wisconsin Veteran Memorial Cemeteries

Honoring Service, Sacrifice, and Legacy

The Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs operates and maintains three veterans cemeteries throughout the state. These cemeteries serve as a final resting place for veterans and their eligible family members, preserving their legacy and honoring their sacrifices.

Burial Information & Procedures

Eligibility for Burial

• Veterans must have been discharged under conditions other than dishonorable.
• Military service requirements for burial in Wisconsin state veterans cemeteries must be in accordance with the eligibility standards as set by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, National Cemetery Administration, at a minimum, must meet one of the following:
  • Veteran was discharged from “active duty” under other than dishonorable conditions, or
  • Veteran died while on “active duty”, or
  • Veteran served at least 20 years in the National Guard or Reserves and qualified for military retirement pay (or would have qualified except death occurred before age 60).
• Spouses and dependent children are eligible, even if the veteran is not buried in a state cemetery.
• Wisconsin state residency is no longer required for burial at any of the Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemeteries.
• Exceptions & special cases may apply (e.g., veteran convicted of a capital crime).

How to Arrange an Interment

• Services are scheduled Monday – Friday (excluding state holidays) from 9:00 AM – 2:30 PM.
• Funeral directors must contact the cemetery office to schedule a service and verify eligibility.
• To schedule an interment service the following documents or forms must be provided to the cemetery:
  • Veteran – Military Discharge (DD Form 214) or other type of discharge document.
  • Spouse – Copy of a legal marriage certificate.
  • Dependent Child – Copy of a birth certificate or legal adoption papers.
  • Final disposition papers and copy of a death certificate (when available).
• If a dependent predeceases the veteran, the same procedures apply.

Gravesite Assignment & Reservations

• No advance reservations, except for:
  • Spouses of interred veterans.
  • Surviving veteran parents or children of a veteran killed in action.

Memorial & Committal Services

• Spooner & Union Grove Cemeteries: Limited to committal services (20-30 min).
• King Cemetery: Chapel available for full funeral services.

Gravesite Services

• Not permitted at NWVMC & SWVMC; CWVMC only conducts gravesite services in the winter.

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Types of Burial Options

Ground Burial of Casket

• For veterans and spouses choosing ground casket burial.
• Uses pre-set liners with upright granite markers.
• Markers include name, branch of service, and dates of birth & death.

Columbarium (For Cremation)

• A niche unit that accommodates two urns (veteran & spouse).
• Bronze memorial plates attached to granite fronts.
• Plate engraving takes 30-45 days post-interment.

Scattering Garden (For Cremation)

• Southern and Northern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemeteries offer scattering gardens that allow families to place cremated remains in-ground without a burial container.

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Pre-Registration for Burial

• Veterans and dependents can pre-register to establish eligibility.
• No cost or obligation to use the selected cemetery.
• How to Pre-Register:
  • Fastest Method: Use the MyWisVets Benefits Portal [LINK TO MYWISVETS]
  • Paper Application: Download and submit WDVA 2111 Form [LINK TO FORM]

For Assistance: Call 1-800-WIS-VETS (947-8387).

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Fees & Costs

No fee for eligible veterans

• Interment/Burial Fee: $948 (Spouse/Dependent)
• Disinterment (Casket): $1,100
• Disinterment (Cremation): $700
• Outside Burial Vault Fee: $1,250

Fees include gravesite, liner, marker engraving, opening & closing, and perpetual care.
Collected only at time of burial and subject to periodic increases.

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Floral and Grounds Regulations

Fresh Floral Tributes

• Allowed year-round.
• Water and vases available April – October.
• Remove all packaging before placing flowers.

Artificial Flowers & Holiday Wreaths

• Permitted November 1 – March 15.
• Wreaths must be leaned against headstones or columbarium bases.
• Not allowed: Wreath stands, grave blankets.

Plantings & Decorations

• Not permitted: Planting of trees, flowers, shrubs.
• Prohibited Items: Statues, lights, banners, flag holders, breakable containers, commercial decorations.

Flags

• Placed by cemetery staff for Memorial Day only and removed within 10 days.

Pet Policy

• Pets must be leashed or remain in vehicles.
• Owners must remove pet waste.

Prohibited Activities

• No attaching decorations to headstones, columbarium niches, or markers.
• Decorations must not exceed headstone height at flush grave markers.

Vehicle Guidelines

• Vehicles must remain on paved surfaces.

Grave Markers

• No alterations (paint, ink, markings) allowed—considered vandalism.
• Lithochrome (black ink) fades over time and is no longer used in new sections.

Special Provisions

• Cemetery staff may remove decorations if:
  • Wilted, obstructive, out of season, or inappropriate.
  • Prohibited by cemetery regulations.
• Wildlife may damage floral tributes—cemetery staff are not responsible.
• The Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs reserves the right to remove any items inconsistent with cemetery dignity.

These regulations help maintain the honor, beauty, and solemnity of the final resting place for our veterans.

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Support & Donations

Learn More About Donations [LINK TO DONATIONS AND VOLUNTEERING, PAGE TO COME]

Families may donate to support cemetery beautification.

Donations may be tax-deductible (check with a tax consultant).

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Federal Information

Burial at Sea

For Navy personnel: Contact U.S. Navy Mortuary Affairs at 1-888-647-6676 (Option 4).

National Cemetery Administration (USDVA) – Information on national and state cemeteries and USDVA burial benefits.

​Nationwide Gravesite Locator (USDVA) – Search for burial locations of veterans and their family members in USDVA National Cemeteries, state veterans cemeteries, various other military and Department of Interior cemeteries, and for veterans buried in private cemeteries when the grave is marked with a government grave marker.