Burial at Beverly National Cemetery: A family guide

History of Beverly National Cemetery

Beverly National Cemetery is located in Burlington County's Edgewater Park, in the city of Beverly, NJ.

The original cemetery was only one acre, purchased from a local resident in 1863. The plot was located in the northwest corner of the town cemetery surrounded by a picket fence. Additional land was acquired in 1936, 1937, 1948 and 1951.

The cemetery was established to provide a burial site for veterans who died in one of two nearby hospitals. Of the original 147 Union soldiers buried at Beverly National Cemetery, only 10 are unknown. For much of its history, the cemetery handled relatively few interments. The number of interments grew dramatically, however, when space became unavailable at Philadelphia National Cemetery. Beverly National Cemetery was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1997.

Notable veterans buried at Beverly National Cemetery

The National Cemetery Administration documents the following veterans of note buried at Beverly 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:
• Hospital Corpsman Third Class Edward C. Benfold (Korea). He received the Medal of Honor posthumously for service in the U.S. Navy in recognition of conspicuous gallantry and self-sacrifice in Korea, September 5, 1952. Benfold is buried in Section DS, Site 12.
• Sergeant First Class Nelson Vogel Brittin (Korea). He received the Medal of Honor posthumously for service in the U.S. Army, Company I, 19th Infantry, in recognition of conspicuous gallantry and self-sacrifice in the vicinity of Yonggong-ni, Korea, March 7, 1951. Brittin is buried in Section DS, Site 2.
• First Sergeant John W. Dutko (World War II). He received the Medal of Honor posthumously for service in the U.S. Army, 3rd Infantry Division, in recognition of conspicuous gallantry and self-sacrifice near Ponte Rotto, Italy, May 23, 1944. Dutko is buried in Section DS, Site 1.
• First Sergeant Barnard A. Strasbaugh (Civil War). He received the Medal of Honor while serving in the U.S. Army, Company A, 3rd Maryland Infantry, for actions in Petersburg, VA, June 17, 1864. His citation was awarded under the name of Bernard A. Strausbaugh. He died in November 1864 and is buried in Section 1, Site 102.
• Other Burials Captain Caleb Bruen (Revolutionary War). Bruen (1735–1818) hailed from Newark, NJ and worked as a cabinet maker before the Revolutionary War. When that conflict began, he enlisted in Joseph Alling's Company of Essex County Minute Men in 1776. That same year he became captain of a company of artificers (skilled artisans and carpenters) who constructed numerous fortifications during the New York Campaign. In April 1777, he was captured by Loyalists and was released three months later on the condition that he serve as a spy for the British. Incredibly, Bruen became a double agent, funneling useful intelligence to General Nathanael Greene. In 1781 he was found out and imprisoned in a dungeon for ten months, where he nearly starved to death. After the war, General Henry Knox agreed to pay Bruen $300 for his "services and sufferings." Bruen passed away at the age of 82 and was originally interred in the graveyard of Newark's First Presbyterian Church. His remains were moved to Beverly National Cemetery on June 23, 1959 and he now rests in Section S, Site 193.

Eligibility for burial at Beverly 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 8:00 a.m. to sunset. Office Hours: This cemetery is administered by Washington Crossing National Cemetery.

How to schedule a burial at Beverly 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 Beverly National Cemetery at the assigned time. The cemetery handles opening, closing, and perpetual care from that point.

Where Beverly National Cemetery sits in the New Jersey cemetery system

Beverly National Cemetery is one of the veteran cemeteries operating in New Jersey. The cemetery is currently closed to new in-ground burials but may accept cremated remains in some cases. Families should verify status before planning.

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