Burial at National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona: A family guide

History of National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona

A state law was passed in 1976 and signed by Governor Raul Castro authorizing the development of a state veterans cemetery. The cemetery was dedicated December 9, 1978 and the first burial occurred on March 19, 1979. The cemetery was officially transferred to the VA on April 1, 1989. The cemetery consists of 225 acres and will not reach capacity until well after the year 2030. The Department of Veterans Affairs spent over $13 million for improvements in 1999. The project included three new committal shelters, maintenance building, visitor center, founders plaza, assembly area, columbaria, and extensive landscaping.

Monuments and Memorials As of 2003, there were 18 monuments and memorials at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona, most arranged along a memorial walkway. Two unique memorials at the cemetery are the Eternal Flame monument, which is pyramidal in shape, and the World War II Submarine Torpedo monument.

Notable veterans buried at National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona

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

• Nathan E. Cook, the last survivor of the Spanish American War, died in 1992 at the age of 106.
• Sidney Bedoni, a native of Arizona, enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps on October 20, 1942. PFC Bedoni was a Navajo Code Talker in the Pacific Theater during World War II and served until January 18, 1946. Bedoni reenlisted in the Army on April 21, 1948, and fought during the Korean War. In 1988, Bedoni was promoted to sergeant major for his service. In 2001, the Navajo Code Talkers were presented with the Congressional Silver Medal. Bedoni, the last surviving Navajo Code Talker paratrooper, died June 8, 2014 (Section 55, Site 3611).
• Richard Dooley, a native of Arizona, enlisted in the U.S. Marines on October 10, 1942. Cpl. Doolie was a Navajo Code Talker in the Pacific Theater during World War II and served until December 26, 1945. In 2001, the Navajo Code Talkers were presented with the Congressional Silver Medal. Dooley's honor was posthumous. He died December 24, 1982 (Section 12, Site 2232).
• Arthur J. Hubbard Sr., a Navajo and native of Arizona, served in the U.S. Marine Corps (1939–1945). Pvt. Hubbard instructed Code Talkers during World War II. In 2001, the Navajo Code Talkers were presented with the Congressional Silver Medal. Hubbard became the first American Indian elected as an Arizona state senator (1972–1984) and he contributed to the establishment of the Navajo Nations first college, Diné College. He died February 7, 2014 (Section 55, Site 3882).
• Joe Kellwood, a native of Arizona, was born in 1921 and enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in October 1942. PVT First Class Kellwood served in World War II with the 1st Marine Division in the Pacific Theater. Kellwood saw action at Cape Gloucester, Peleliu and Okinawa, and he continued as a Navajo Code Talker through the war's end. In 2001, the Navajo Code Talkers were presented with the Congressional Silver Medal. After the war Kellwood returned to Arizona where he was active in veterans' organizations. He died September 5, 2016 (Section 52, Site 161).
• Robert "Bert" Tallsalt of Arizona enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps on October 27, 1944, and served as a Navajo Code Talker in the Pacific Theater during World War II. After returning home, Tallsalt took a leadership role in the community, as a councilman representing Navajo Mountain, and as an educator. He received his degree from Utah State University and taught at the Intermountain School in Brigham City, Utah. In 2001, the Navajo Code Talkers were presented the Congressional Silver Medal. Tallsalt was active in the Navajo Code Talkers Association until his death in 2003 (Section 18D, Site 2662).

Eligibility for burial at National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona

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. (MT) - 4:30 p.m. (MT). 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. NCA will assess adding other options and national cemeteries in the future.

How to schedule a burial at National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona

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

Where National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona sits in the Arizona cemetery system

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