Burial at Staunton National Cemetery: A family guide

History of Staunton National Cemetery

Staunton National Cemetery is located in the Shenandoah Valley approximately one mile east of downtown Staunton, VA.

The 1.15-acre plot of land was designated a national cemetery in September 1868. Original interments were the remains removed from the city cemetery at Staunton as well as Cross Keys, Port Republic, and the Waynesboro area. Of the original 749 interments, 518 were unknown.

Staunton National Cemetery was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1996.

Monuments and Memorials There are no monuments or memorials located at Staunton National Cemetery.

Notable veterans buried at Staunton National Cemetery

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

• Buffalo Soldier Nicolae Dunca was born in 1837, in Transylvania, Romania, came to the United States in December 1861. He enlisted in the Union Army in 1862 and due to his past military experience, was appointed captain of the 12th Infantry Regiment. Dunca was killed in action at the Battle of Cross Keys on June 8, 1862, and was still a Romanian citizen at the time of death. He was buried at Perkey's Farm, Cross Keys, VA, and his remains were moved to Staunton (Section B, Site 292).

Eligibility for burial at Staunton 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. Office Hours: Monday thru Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Closed federal holidays except Memorial Day and Veterans Day.

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

Where Staunton National Cemetery sits in the Virginia cemetery system

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