VA National Cemeteries
Burial at Woodlawn Cemetery Soldiers' Lot: A family guide
Ayer, Massachusetts · national cemetery · closed
The soldiers' lot is located in Ayer, Massachusetts, in Section 1, lots 193, 203, 206, and 211, of Woodlawn Cemetery. The federal government purchased the lots from Woodlawn Cemetery in 1918. Most of the 52 men interred in the soldiers' lot died at Fort Devens, which is located nearby. The last interment was made in 1931. All of the interments in the soldiers' lot are known. Eligible veterans, spouses, and dependent children may be buried at Woodlawn Cemetery Soldiers' Lot at no cost. Below: the cemetery's history, notable veterans interred there, eligibility specifics, visiting hours, and the procedure Massachusetts families follow to schedule a burial.
History of Woodlawn Cemetery Soldiers' Lot
The soldiers' lot is located in Ayer, Massachusetts, in Section 1, lots 193, 203, 206, and 211, of Woodlawn Cemetery. The federal government purchased the lots from Woodlawn Cemetery in 1918. Most of the 52 men interred in the soldiers' lot died at Fort Devens, which is located nearby. The last interment was made in 1931. All of the interments in the soldiers' lot are known.
Camp Devens was established in 1917 as part of the World War I mobilization effort. It was named after Major General Charles Devens, a Civil War veteran and Attorney General in the administration of Rutherford B. Hayes. Over the course of World War I, more than 100,000 troops came through the gates of Camp Devens. In 1931, the installation was renamed Fort Devens, and it continued to serve as a post for active duty soldiers until 1996, when it transitioned into an Army Reserve training center.
Notable veterans buried at Woodlawn Cemetery Soldiers' Lot
The National Cemetery Administration documents the following veterans of note buried at Woodlawn Cemetery Soldiers' Lot, listed by section and site as recorded in the cemetery's official register.
- Under Development.
Eligibility for burial at Woodlawn Cemetery Soldiers' Lot
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.
How to schedule a burial at Woodlawn Cemetery Soldiers' Lot
- The funeral home or family contacts the National Cemetery Scheduling Office at 1-800-535-1117 (24/7 for active funeral arrangements).
- Provide the veteran's full name, date of birth, social security number, dates of service, branch, and date of death.
- Fax or email the DD-214 to the cemetery's interment office for verification.
- Once eligibility is confirmed (typically 30–60 minutes for complete documentation), the cemetery assigns a date, time, and committal shelter.
- The funeral home transports the deceased to Woodlawn Cemetery Soldiers' Lot at the assigned time. The cemetery handles opening, closing, and perpetual care from that point.
Where Woodlawn Cemetery Soldiers' Lot sits in the Massachusetts cemetery system
Woodlawn Cemetery Soldiers' Lot is one of the veteran cemeteries operating in Massachusetts. 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 Woodlawn Cemetery Soldiers' Lot is fully reserved, those alternatives are typically the next options.
Common Questions
Frequently asked
Is burial at Woodlawn Cemetery Soldiers' Lot free for the family?
Yes, for eligible veterans, spouses, and dependent children. The VA covers plot, opening and closing, perpetual care, headstone or marker, and a U.S. burial flag. The funeral home's transportation and any pre-burial services are the only out-of-pocket costs.
Can I reserve a specific plot at Woodlawn Cemetery Soldiers' Lot in advance?
Generally no. The cemetery assigns plots in order. Pre-need reservation is available in narrow circumstances (Medal of Honor recipients, members buried alongside an already-interred spouse). For plot choice, families typically use a private cemetery with a VA-furnished marker.
What if Woodlawn Cemetery Soldiers' Lot is full or closed to new burials?
Woodlawn Cemetery Soldiers' Lot is closed to new in-ground burials. Cremated remains may still be accepted in some cases. The nearest open veteran cemeteries are listed in the cemetery sidebar; the funeral home can coordinate transport to any of them.
Are military funeral honors provided at Woodlawn Cemetery Soldiers' Lot?
Yes. Military funeral honors — flag fold, presentation, Taps — are provided at no cost by the deceased's branch of service at any VA national, state, or tribal veteran cemetery. The funeral home arranges the honors detail.
EverSettled · After the Veteran Funeral
The veteran's spouse may qualify for VA Dependency & Indemnity Compensation.
DIC is a tax-free monthly benefit for surviving spouses, dependent children, and (in some cases) parents of veterans whose death is service-connected. EverSettled walks veteran families through DIC eligibility, survivor pension, life-insurance claims, probate, and the federal-account paperwork that follows.
Begin Veteran Estate SettlementRelated Reading