Burial at Prescott National Cemetery: A family guide

History of Prescott National Cemetery

Prescott National Cemetery is located in Prescott, AZ, adjacent to the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center. The cemetery, which closed to new interments in 1974, covers a little over 15 acres. Interments were made here primarily because it was a conveniently safe distance from Fort Whipple, Arizona, where attacks from local Native Americans were more likely.

The present site of Prescott National Cemetery is thought to be its third location. The original cemetery was established when Fort Whipple was a camp near Del Rio Springs in 1864, and was moved soon after. The cemetery was relocated again in 1869 to its current location because flash floods washed out numerous burials in the previous site. These floods may account for the majority of the 25 unknown graves in the cemetery.

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

Monuments and Memorials Prescott National Cemetery has an Unknown Soldiers Monument made of white marble rusticated to look like blocks with a centered cross on top.

Notable veterans buried at Prescott National Cemetery

The National Cemetery Administration documents the following veterans of note buried at Prescott 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 Nicholas Foran (Indian Wars). Foran received the Medal of Honor while serving in the U.S. Army, Company L, 8th U.S. Cavalry, for actions in the Arizona Territory, from August to October 1868. Foran died in 1927 and is buried in Section 1, Row B, Site 54.

Eligibility for burial at Prescott 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 sunrise to sunset. Office Hours: Monday thru Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. MT. Closed federal holidays except Memorial Day.

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

Where Prescott National Cemetery sits in the Arizona cemetery system

Prescott National Cemetery is one of the veteran cemeteries operating in Arizona. The cemetery is currently operating with limited burial availability. Families should verify status before planning.

For families considering alternatives, the nearest veteran cemeteries appear in our cemetery sidebar. If Prescott National Cemetery is fully reserved, those alternatives are typically the next options.