Source: National Cemetery Administration · cem.va.gov · scraped May 2026
History of Cape Canaveral National Cemetery
Cape Canaveral National Cemetery was dedicated on November 20, 2015. The first burial took place on January 12, 2016.
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) purchased the land in July 2012 for $2.1 million.
The initial phase of construction provides approximately 17,000 gravesites and accommodates both casket and cremation interments. In addition to gravesites and columbaria, the cemetery includes other features such as a front entrance on U.S. Route 1, a public information center with an electronic gravesite locator and restrooms, an administration building, a maintenance building, a flag pole assembly area, a memorial wall with ossuary and walkway, and committal shelters. Other cemetery infrastructure features include roads, landscaping, utilities, and irrigation.
Notable interments
Veterans, public figures, and citizens of note buried at Cape Canaveral National Cemetery, listed by section and site as recorded by the National Cemetery Administration.
Ohioan Edwin T.
Cowan (1920–2009) was a legendary Tuskegee Airmen who served in the U.S. Army Air Forces during World War II. Flight Officer Cowan graduated from the pilot training program at Tuskegee in 1944. He flew B-25 Mitchell bombers for the 477th Bombardment Group. As a civilian, Cowan worked for the U.S. Postal Service before earning a Master of Education and becoming a teacher and principal with the Cleveland public school system. He retired after 22 years and in 1978 Cowan and his wife, Theda, moved to Merritt Island, Florida, where he co-founded a chapter of the Tuskegee Airmen. In 2006, Tuskegee Airmen were honored for their service, belatedly, with the Congressional Gold Medal. Cowan's initial grave at St. Luke's Episcopal Church was unmarked. On February 7, 2019, Cowan and his wife (1920–2007) were reinterred at Cape Canaveral National Cemetery with full military honors .
Section 11, Site 225
Alene B.
Duerk (1920–2018) was born in Defiance, Ohio. A 1941 graduate of the Toledo Hospital School of Nursing, she was commissioned as an ensign in the Nurse Corps, USNR in 1943. During WWII she served at Portsmouth, VA and Bethesda, MD and in the Pacific theater aboard USS Benevolence (AH-13). She was released from active service in June 1946. After, she earned a B.S. from Western Reserve University. She joined the Naval Reserve in 1948 and was recalled to active service in June 1951. For nearly two decades, she served in positions of increasing responsibility across the globe and became director of the Navy Nurse Corps in May 1970. She became the first female flag officer in June 1972, and the figurehead for her gender in the Navy. She retired in 1975. RADM Duerk is interred at Cape Canaveral National Cemetery .
Section 10, Site 777
Eligibility for burial at Cape Canaveral 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.
Request eligibility status for:
Veteran or servicemember Spouse Dependent family member Apply online »
Burial in a VA national cemetery is open to all members of the armed forces who have met a minimum active duty service requirement and were discharged under conditions other than dishonorable.
Directions
From I-95 take Exit 231, at Highway 1 turn right (south); the cemetery is two miles on the left.
Floral and grounds policy
Our cemetery floral policy exists only to reflect the honor and respect we hold for our Nation's Veterans, by preserving the dignity and solemnity of their final resting place.
We welcome and encourage fresh-cut flowers throughout the year. The cemetery provides water and green flower containers for gravesite display located at each section and columbarium. Permanent plantings or fixtures are not permitted.
Weapons policy
VA regulations 38 CFR 1.218 prohibit the carrying of firearms (either openly or concealed), explosives or other dangerous or deadly weapons while on VA property, except for official purposes, such as military funeral honors.
Possession of firearms on any property under the charge and control of VA is prohibited. Offenders may be subject to a fine, removal from the premises, or arrest.
Education and visiting programs
We are developing educational content for this national cemetery, and will post new materials as they become available. Visit the Veterans Legacy Program and NCA History Program for additional information. Thank you for your interest.
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Nearest cemeteries
The three closest veteran cemeteries to Cape Canaveral National Cemetery (by straight-line distance):
- Atlantic Garden Veteran Cemetery — Aguadilla, PR (73 mi · open)
- Florida National Cemetery — Bushnell, FL (82 mi · open)
- St. Augustine National Cemetery — St. Augustine, FL (83 mi · closed)
Nearby veteran-friendly funeral homes
The following funeral homes within a 50-mile radius of Cape Canaveral National Cemetery have demonstrated a commitment to serving veterans through specialized services, VA benefits coordination, or dedicated honors details.
North Brevard Funeral Home is a premier funeral home located at 1450 Norwood Avenue in Titusville, FL. The property features well-appointed spaces including on-site crematory. Professional offerings include funeral services, burial services, and cremation services, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $895. For families preferring a traditional approach, basic burial services begin at $4,495, while direct cremation is available from $895. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically Baptist, Episcopal, and Methodist.
Brevard Memorial Park is a premier funeral home located at 320 Spring Street in Cocoa, FL. The property features well-appointed spaces including flexible event space, large-capacity chapel, and large reception area. Professional offerings include funeral services, cremation services, and burial services, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically Catholic, Jewish, Asian traditions, Buddhist, Hispanic traditions, Hindu, Muslim, and Christian.
Brevard Memorial Funeral Home is a premier funeral home located at 5475 North Us Highway 1 in Cocoa, FL. The property features well-appointed spaces including flexible event space, large-capacity chapel, and veterans cemetery section. Professional offerings include catered events, event planning, and funeral service video production, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically Catholic, Jewish, Christian, and Multicultural.
Baldwin-Fairchild Oviedo Funeral Home is a premier funeral home located at 501 E Mitchell Hammock RD in Oviedo, FL. With deep roots in the community, they provide a peaceful and accommodating environment to honor the memory of loved ones.
Volusia Memorial Funeral Home is a premier funeral home located at 548 North Nova Road in Ormond Beach, FL. The property features well-appointed spaces including memorial event center, memorial funeral home chapel, and memorial cremation center. Professional offerings include funeral services, memorial services, and traditional services, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $2,495. For families preferring a traditional approach, basic burial services begin at $6,995, while direct cremation is available from $3,095. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically Asian Funeral Traditions, Buddhist Funeral Traditions, Catholic Funeral Traditions, Hispanic Funeral Traditions, Hindu Funeral Traditions, Muslim Funeral Traditions, Christian Funeral Traditions, Jewish Funeral Traditions, and Black Funeral Traditions.
All Faiths Memorial Park is a premier funeral home located at 1390 Park Drive in Casselberry, FL. The property features well-appointed spaces including cemetery grounds, gardens, and mausoleums. Professional offerings include traditional burial, cremation memorialization, and above-ground entombment, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. Direct cremation services are provided starting at $3,055. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically Catholic, Jewish, and Christian (various denominations accommodated).
Baldauff Family Funeral Home and Crematory is a premier funeral home located at 1233 Saxon Boulevard in Orange City, FL. The property features well-appointed spaces including on-site crematory, chapel, and 7,500 sq. ft facility. Professional offerings include cremation, traditional burial, and personalized services, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $7,305. Direct cremation services are provided starting at $2,565. The firm's dedication to service is reflected in their 4.1-star Google rating across 29 reviews.
Wylie-Baxley Funeral Home is a premier funeral home located at 1360 North Courtenay Parkway in Merritt Island, FL. The property features well-appointed spaces including flexible event space, large-capacity chapel, and celebration of life center. Professional offerings include funeral service video production, event planning, and catering, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. Direct cremation services are provided starting at $3,155. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically Asian Traditions, Buddhist, Catholic, Christian (Protestant), Hindu, Jewish, Muslim, Black Funeral Traditions, and Hispanic Funeral Traditions. The firm's dedication to service is reflected in their 5.0-star Google rating across 47 reviews.