Burial at Lakeside Cemetery Soldiers' Lot: A family guide

History of Lakeside Cemetery Soldiers' Lot

Lakeside Cemetery was established in 1877 when the city of Port Huron, Michigan, purchased 148 acres from local resident John Hoffman. At one point the cemetery comprised 176 acres, but over time it was reduced to the current size of 96.5 acres.

The Lakeside Cemetery Soldiers' Lot encompasses lots 144 - 159. The 0.174-acre parcel was donated to the United States in 1881, when 135 remains from Old Fort Gratiot were re-interred at the cemetery. There were two installations known as Fort Gratiot; the first dated from 1814-1821, the second from 1828-1879. Both were located on the same site, on the west bank of the St. Clair River, approximately two miles south of Lakeside Cemetery. Of the 135 interments in the soldiers' lot, only 35 are known.

Monuments and Memorials On July 7, 1884, the federal government dedicated a monument at the Lakeside Cemetery Soldiers' Lot to honor the unknown soldiers from Fort Gratiot who fell victims to the cholera epidemic, July 4, to 18, 1832. Built by Philo Truesdell of the Port Huron Marble and Granite Works, the shaft is constructed of Concord granite. A marble statue of a Union soldier attired in "those articles used in the [Civil] war" stands on top of the column. The monument is 24 feet in height, and cost $1,500 to complete.

Notable veterans buried at Lakeside Cemetery Soldiers' Lot

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

• Under Development.

Eligibility for burial at Lakeside Cemetery Soldiers' Lot

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, 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Closed federal holidays. (If office is closed during these hours, contact the City Clerk's office at 810-984-9725 ext. 0 for assistance.)

How to schedule a burial at Lakeside Cemetery Soldiers' Lot

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 Lakeside Cemetery Soldiers' Lot at the assigned time. The cemetery handles opening, closing, and perpetual care from that point.

Where Lakeside Cemetery Soldiers' Lot sits in the Michigan cemetery system

Lakeside Cemetery Soldiers' Lot is one of the veteran cemeteries operating in Michigan. 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 Lakeside Cemetery Soldiers' Lot is fully reserved, those alternatives are typically the next options.