Fort Devens Post Cemetery

Fort Devens Post Cemetery is a VA national cemetery in Devens, Massachusetts. VA lists it as closed to new burials. Burial is free for eligible veterans, their spouses and dependent children.

Source: National Cemetery Administration (cem.va.gov), retrieved May 2026

History of Fort Devens Post Cemetery

The Fort Devens Post Cemetery, when it was originally established on the grounds of Camp Devens in 1931, was originally called the Malvern Hill Cemetery. Since that time, the Fort Devens Cemetery (present location established 1938) has developed a rich and colorful history. Its past provides a glimpse into the life and times of soldiers who fought in six of America’s wars, the War of 1812, Civil War, World War I, World War II, Korea, and Vietnam.

Directions

From I-90 W follow I-90 W and I-95 N to MA-2 in Lexington. Take exit 29B from I-95N to merge onto MA-2 W toward Acton/Fitchburg. MA-2 W to Jackson Rd in Worcester County. Take exit 37B to merge onto Jackson Rd to Fort Devens Post Cemetery.

Flowers and grounds rules

Cemetery policies are conspicuously posted and readily visible to the public.

Floral arrangements accompanying the casket or urn at the time of burial will be placed on the completed grave. Natural cut flowers may be placed on graves at any time of the year. They will be removed when they become unsightly or when it becomes necessary to facilitate cemetery operations such as mowing. Water will be available at outside faucets from May 15 to September 1.

Who can be buried at Fort Devens Post Cemetery?

VA national cemeteries accept a veteran who didn't receive a dishonorable discharge, a service member who died on active duty or in training, the veteran's spouse or surviving spouse (even if they remarried), and minor or, in some cases, unmarried adult dependent children. National Guard and Reserve members qualify under narrower rules. You can ask VA for a pre-need eligibility decision in advance; it does not reserve a gravesite.

What does burial here include at no cost?

• A gravesite in any VA national cemetery with available space
• Opening and closing of the grave
• A government-provided burial liner
• A government-provided headstone or marker
• Perpetual care of the gravesite

Veterans also receive a burial flag, a Presidential Memorial Certificate (presented to the next of kin at the burial) and military funeral honors, which include the playing of Taps and two uniformed service members who present the flag. The committal service is held at a committal shelter, not at the grave, and lasts about 20 minutes. National cemeteries have no viewing facilities, so the funeral itself is held elsewhere.

How do you schedule a burial at Fort Devens Post Cemetery?

1. Gather the veteran's DD214 or other discharge papers, and the deceased's details (Social Security number, dates of birth and death, relationship to the veteran).
2. Fax the discharge papers to the National Cemetery Scheduling Office at 866-900-6417, or email them to [email protected] with the deceased's name in the subject line.
3. You or the funeral director call 800-535-1117 (Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. ET) to request Fort Devens Post Cemetery and a date. National cemeteries hold burials Monday through Friday.

VA lists Fort Devens Post Cemetery as closed. Ask the scheduling office what, if anything, can still be arranged here, and about open national cemeteries nearby.

Where is the Fort Devens Post Cemetery burial schedule?

VA posts a daily burial schedule for every national cemetery. Search it for Fort Devens Post Cemetery to see the committal services planned there. It only lists burials whose families agreed to publish them. To change or cancel a burial that's already scheduled, contact Fort Devens Post Cemetery directly at 508-563-7113.

Headstone, flag and burial allowance

• Government headstone or marker: tell the scheduling office which headstone, marker, niche cover or medallion you want when you schedule the burial.
• Burial flag: VA Form 27-2008.
• Burial allowance: For a non-service-connected death on or after October 1, 2026, VA pays up to $1,032 toward burial and funeral costs and $1,032 for a plot; for a service-connected death on or after September 11, 2001, the burial allowance is up to $2,000. Claim it with VA Form 21P-530EZ. All benefits

After the funeral: survivor benefits and the estate

A surviving spouse, child or parent may qualify for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC), a tax-free monthly VA benefit, for example when the death was service connected (VA Form 21P-534EZ). The veteran's estate is settled under Massachusetts law; our sister site ProbateUS explains how probate works in Massachusetts and lists each county's probate court. For the rest of the paperwork, from Social Security to bank accounts, DeathUS has a step-by-step checklist of what to do when someone dies.

Nearest cemeteries

The three veterans cemeteries closest to Fort Devens Post Cemetery, by straight-line distance:

• Woodlawn Cemetery Soldiers' Lot, Ayer, MA: 3 mi, closed to new in-ground burials
• Massachusetts State Veterans Cemetery - Winchendon, Winchendon, MA: 23 mi, open for burials
• Prospect Hill Cemetery Soldiers' Lot, Brattleboro, VT: 52 mi, closed to new in-ground burials