Burial at National Cemetery of the Alleghenies: A family guide

History of National Cemetery of the Alleghenies

Prior to the development of the National Cemetery, the site was continually farmed since the 1800s, and the region was the flash point of the historic Whisky Rebellion of 1794.

Burials at the National Cemetery began in August 2005 with the formal dedication taking place on October 9, 2005.

Monuments and Memorials The cemetery has a memorial section in instances where there are no remains. Please contact the cemetery for further information and procedures to request a memorial headstone.

The cemetery features a Memorial Pathway that is lined with a variety of memorials that honor America's Veterans.

Notable veterans buried at National Cemetery of the Alleghenies

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

• Captain U.S. Army and First Lieutenant U.S. Army Air Forces, Charles William Tate. Fighter Pilot, Squadron B2143 RD, "Tuskegee Airman." Tuskegee Army Air Field, Alabama, European Theatre February 29, 1944. Air Medal with four Oak Leaf Clusters, Distinguished Flying Cross (Section 1, Site 1118).
• Dr. Roland Harding served in World War II as a forward observer and artillery officer with the 3rd Armored Division, he left the service after attaining the rank of lieutenant colonel. He was a member of the North Dakota Legislative Assembly from 1957–1958, and later served as director of the VA Pharmacy Services in the VA Central Office, Washington, D.C., in the 1970s and 1980s (Section 5, Site 893).

Eligibility for burial at National Cemetery of the Alleghenies

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 thru Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Closed federal holidays except Memorial Day and Veterans 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 National Cemetery of the Alleghenies

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 National Cemetery of the Alleghenies at the assigned time. The cemetery handles opening, closing, and perpetual care from that point.

Where National Cemetery of the Alleghenies sits in the Pennsylvania cemetery system

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