Burial at Bath National Cemetery: A family guide

History of Bath National Cemetery

Bath National Cemetery is located in Steuben County, NY, adjacent to the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center.

The cemetery was originally a part of the New York State Soldiers and Sailors Home, which was established in 1877; the cemetery was dedicated in December 25, 1879. In 1930, the Soldiers and Sailors Home and cemetery became two integrated components of the Veterans Administration Medical Center (VAMC). When 82 national cemeteries were transferred from the Department of Army to the Veterans Administration in 1973, the Bath VAMC cemetery became part of the National Cemetery System and was designated appropriately.

Bath is the final resting place of the "first and oldest" U.S. MIAs (Missing in Action). On October 26, 1987, an archeologist discovered a skeleton during the construction of a house in Fort Erie, Canada. Scientists and military historians were subsequently sent to investigate the site and ultimately, they discovered 28 remains. The bones were initially believed to be remains of the area's indigenous population. The discovery of buttons, however, led authorities to believe that the men buried at the site were British soldiers.

The 28 soldiers had been interred in a traditional manner, lying east-west with hand crossed; this indicates that they had been buried during a lull in the fighting by fellow soldiers rather than the enemy. Further investigation by the military indicated that the men had fought during the Niagara Campaign with clashes at Chippaw and Lundy's Lane before they died at Snake Hill, a battery overlooking Fort Erie. The Department of the Army, working with Canadian officials, held a repatriation ceremony at Fort Erie, Canada, on June 30, 1988 and the soldiers were reinterred with full military honors.

Notable veterans buried at Bath National Cemetery

The National Cemetery Administration documents the following veterans of note buried at Bath National Cemetery, listed by section and site as recorded in the cemetery's official register.

• Medal of Honor The Medal of Honor is the highest award for valor in action against an enemy force that can be bestowed upon an individual serving in the Armed Services of the United States. Recipients receive the Medal of Honor from the President on behalf of Congress. It was first awarded during the Civil War and the eligibility criteria, medal design, and recognition on a recipients' grave marker have all evolved over time. There are 434 Medal of Honor recipients interred at VA national cemeteries including 6 double recipients.
• » Medal of Honor recipients interred or memorialized here:
• Corporal George M. Grueb (Civil War). He received the Medal of Honor while serving in the U.S. Army, Company E, 158th New York Infantry, for gallantry at Chapin's Farm, Virginia, September 29, 1864. Grueb died in 1893 and is buried in Section A, Row 2, Site 3.
• Sergeant John Kiggins (Civil War). He received the Medal of Honor while serving in the U.S. Army, Company D, 149th New York Infantry, for actions at Lookout Mountain, Tennessee, November 24, 1863. Kiggins died in 1914 and is buried in Section H, Row 32, Site 9.
• Private George Ladd (Civil War). He received the Medal of Honor while serving in the U.S. Army, Company H, 22nd New York Cavalry, for actions at Waynesboro, Virginia, March 2, 1865. Ladd died on August 13, 1889 and is buried in Section C, Row 6, Site 6.
• Sergeant Charles E. Morse (Civil War). He received the Medal of Honor while serving in the U.S. Army, Company I, 62nd New York Infantry, for actions at Wilderness, Virginia, May 5, 1864. He was born in France, and enlisted in June 1861. Morse died in 1920 and is buried in Section J, Row 4, Site 24.
• Private James Roberts (Civil War). He received the Medal of Honor while serving in the U.S. Navy for actions on board the U.S.S. Agawam, December 23,1864. Roberts also served in the U.S. Army, Company K, 8th Connecticut Infantry. Private Roberts died in 1908 and is buried in Section I, Row 26, Site 2.
• Other Burials Private Robert Knox Sneden, noted for his paintings/drawings of the battles and leaders of the Civil War. His scrapbook albums are on display at the Virginia Historical Society (Section J, Row 11, Site 14).

Eligibility for burial at Bath National Cemetery

Planning ahead for a Veteran's or loved-one's final resting place can eliminate unnecessary delays and reduce stress on a family at a difficult time.

The Department of Veterans Affairs covers the grave plot, opening and closing of the grave, perpetual care, a government-furnished headstone or marker, and a U.S. burial flag at no cost to eligible families.

Visiting hours

Visitation Hours: Open daily from sunrise to sunset. Office Hours: Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Closed federal holidays. VA will continue its practice of honoring special requests for weekend burials for religious purposes, in cases of service members killed in action and on at least one day of any three-day Federal holiday weekend at all open VA national cemeteries.

How to schedule a burial at Bath National Cemetery

1. The funeral home or family contacts the National Cemetery Scheduling Office at 1-800-535-1117 (24/7 for active funeral arrangements).
2. Provide the veteran's full name, date of birth, social security number, dates of service, branch, and date of death.
3. Fax or email the DD-214 to the cemetery's interment office for verification.
4. Once eligibility is confirmed (typically 30–60 minutes for complete documentation), the cemetery assigns a date, time, and committal shelter.
5. The funeral home transports the deceased to Bath National Cemetery at the assigned time. The cemetery handles opening, closing, and perpetual care from that point.

Where Bath National Cemetery sits in the New York cemetery system

Bath National Cemetery is one of the veteran cemeteries operating in New York. The cemetery is currently accepting new in-ground and columbarium interments. Families should verify status before planning.

For families considering alternatives, the nearest veteran cemeteries appear in our cemetery sidebar. If Bath National Cemetery is fully reserved, those alternatives are typically the next options.