Burial at North Alton Confederate Cemetery: A family guide

Eligibility for burial at North Alton Confederate Cemetery

Eligibility for burial at North Alton Confederate Cemetery follows the federal standard for national cemeteries: any veteran discharged under conditions other than dishonorable, with at least 24 months of continuous active service (or discharged for service-connected disability), is eligible. Spouses and dependent children may be buried alongside.

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.

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

Where North Alton Confederate Cemetery sits in the Illinois cemetery system

North Alton Confederate Cemetery is one of the veteran cemeteries operating in Illinois. 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 North Alton Confederate Cemetery is fully reserved, those alternatives are typically the next options.