Burial at Marion National Cemetery: A family guide

History of Marion National Cemetery

In 1888, Colonel George W. Steele, Indiana's congressional representative, successfully convinced his colleagues in Washington, D.C. of the need for a Soldier's Home in Grant County. Subsequently, the 31-acre Marion Branch of the National Home opened in 1889 to provide shelter and comfort for the region's veterans. Along with the home, a cemetery was established for the interment of the men who died there. The first burial occurred two years after the home opened in May 1890. For most of its history, the cemetery at the Marion Home has quietly and efficiently cared for the needs of the nation's veterans with few significant changes.

In 1920, the home was renamed Marion Sanatorium and in 1930, administration of the home was transferred to the newly created Veterans Administration. Additional acreage was transferred from the Veterans Health Administration twice in the cemetery's history. Six acres were added in 1974 and six more in 1988. As of 1973, with the passage of the National Cemetery Act, the cemetery became part of the National Cemetery system and its name was changed to Marion National Cemetery.

Marion National Cemetery was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1999.

Monuments and Memorials The Remember the Maine monument was erected in 1901 in honor of the lives lost in Cuba's Havana Harbor during the Spanish-American War.

Notable veterans buried at Marion National Cemetery

The National Cemetery Administration documents the following veterans of note buried at Marion 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:
• Sergeant Henry J. Hyde (Indian Wars). He received the Medal of Honor while serving in the U.S. Army, Company M, 1st U.S. Cavalry, for gallant conduct during winter 1872–1873. Hyde died in 1893 and is buried in Section 1, Site 97.
• Seaman Nicholas Irwin (Civil War). Irwin received the Medal of Honor while serving in the U.S. Navy for actions on board the USS Brooklyn during the Battle of Mobile Bay, Alabama, August 5, 1864. He died in 1896 and is buried in Section 1, Site 382.
• Captain Jeremiah Kuder (Civil War). Kuder received the Medal of Honor while serving in the U.S. Army, Company A, 74th Indiana Infantry, for actions at Jonesboro, GA, September 1, 1864. Kuder died in 1916 and is buried in Section 4, Site 2464.
• Other Burials Private Gerald Dixon (World War I). Dixon (1896–1967) was born in Seymore, IN. He never finished grade school and worked as a messenger in a railroad office until he enlisted in the U.S. Army on February 27, 1914, at the age of 17. He was one of 110 soldiers in the 24th Infantry Regiment who were convicted and sentenced to life in prison for their involvement in the 1917 Camp Logan Riot. Dixon maintained his innocence, but was convicted through guilt by association and sent to Leavenworth Penitentiary. His sentence was later commuted by J. Edgar Hoover, and he was released on parole effective September 17, 1924. Dixon passed away in October 1967 and was laid to rest at the Estates of Serenity in Marion, IN. On November 13, 2023, the Army set aside the courts-martial of all 110 convicted soldiers, including Dixon, making him eligible for burial in a national cemetery. On October 28, 2024, Dixon and his wife were reinterred at Marion National Cemetery. They now rest in Section 12, Site 340.
• William (Willis) H. Furbush was born in Kentucky ca. 1840, and little is known of his childhood. He was literate and an accomplished photographer. Furbush enlisted in the Army in February 1865, joining the 42nd U.S. Colored Troops Infantry. Sgt. Furbush was honorably discharged in October, and in 1866, he went with the American Colonization Society to Liberia. Furbush returned to the United States when Reconstruction offered political and economic opportunities to African Americans. He was elected to the Arkansas General Assembly in 1872. Furbush's career received mixed reviews because he supported civil rights and was a conservative collaborator with white Democrats during this period. Furbush entered the Marion Branch of the National Homes for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers in October 1901 and died September 3, 1902 (Section 1, Site 774).

Eligibility for burial at Marion 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 dawn to dusk. The cemetery gate is closed at 6:00 p.m., but visitors can still access the cemetery through the VA Medical Center Main Gate. Office Hours: Monday thru Friday 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Closed federal holidays except Memorial Day. 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 Marion 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 Marion National Cemetery at the assigned time. The cemetery handles opening, closing, and perpetual care from that point.

Where Marion National Cemetery sits in the Indiana cemetery system

Marion National Cemetery is one of the veteran cemeteries operating in Indiana. 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 Marion National Cemetery is fully reserved, those alternatives are typically the next options.