Marion National Cemetery

Marion National Cemetery is a VA national cemetery in Marion, Indiana. VA lists it as open for burials. Burial is free for eligible veterans, their spouses and dependent children.

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

History of Marion National Cemetery

In 1888, Colonel George W. Steele, Indiana's congressional representative, successfully convinced his colleagues in Washington, D.C. of the need for a Soldier's Home in Grant County. Subsequently, the 31-acre Marion Branch of the National Home opened in 1889 to provide shelter and comfort for the region's veterans. Along with the home, a cemetery was established for the interment of the men who died there. The first burial occurred two years after the home opened in May 1890. For most of its history, the cemetery at the Marion Home has quietly and efficiently cared for the needs of the nation's veterans with few significant changes.

In 1920, the home was renamed Marion Sanatorium and in 1930, administration of the home was transferred to the newly created Veterans Administration. Additional acreage was transferred from the Veterans Health Administration twice in the cemetery's history. Six acres were added in 1974 and six more in 1988. As of 1973, with the passage of the National Cemetery Act, the cemetery became part of the National Cemetery system and its name was changed to Marion National Cemetery.

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

Monuments and Memorials The Remember the Maine monument was erected in 1901 in honor of the lives lost in Cuba's Havana Harbor during the Spanish-American War.

A monument dedicated to the Minnesota 2nd Regiment was erected at the cemetery in 1913.

A commemorative sundial was installed at the cemetery in the early 20th century.

The Carillon bell tower was erected around 1990 as part of the American Veterans international carillon program to provide living memorials in honor of American veterans.

The Vietnam Memorial was erected in 1990 and dedicated to those who fought or died in the Vietnam War.

The Blue Star Memorial Marker was donated by The Garden Club of Marion and Veteran of Foreign Wars San Mateo Post #60 and dedicated on April 23, 2005.

Notable interments

The National Cemetery Administration lists these people of note buried at Marion National Cemetery, with section and site where recorded.

Directions

Marion National Cemetery, located on the east side of the Department of Veterans Affairs Northern Indiana Health Care System in the southeast section of the city, is bounded by 38th Street and Lincoln Boulevard.

From the South and Indianapolis Airport: Take the I-465 Beltway North to I-465E to I-69 North (Fort Wayne). Take Exit 259 (Gas City/Upland). Make a left turn on IN-22 (Gas City). At the intersection of 1st and Main Street, turn right and continue on 1st Street for approximately 1½ miles until it ends at a "T" intersection with 200 S. Turn left at 200 S, which becomes 38th Street. Cemetery is on the left.

Flowers and grounds rules

Natural, fresh-cut flowers may be placed on graves at any time of the year and will be removed when they become unsightly or when it becomes necessary to facilitate cemetery operations. Plastic floral cones are available for use and are located in containers throughout the cemetery.

Artificial flowers are permitted on graves only from October 10 through April 15. Christmas wreaths, grave blankets and other seasonal adornments may be placed on graves from December 1 through January 20.

Education and visiting programs

More than half of VA's national cemeteries originated with the Civil War and many are closed to some burials. Other sites were established to serve World War veterans and they continue to expand. Historic themes related with NCA's cemeteries and soldiers' lots vary, but visitors should understand "Why is it here?" NCA began by installing interpretive signs, or waysides, at more than 100 properties to observe the Civil War Sesquicentennial (2011–2015). Please follow the links below to see the interpretive signs for Marion National Cemetery.

A National Cemetery System Marion National Cemetery

Who can be buried at Marion National 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 Marion National 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 Marion National Cemetery and a date. National cemeteries hold burials Monday through Friday.

Where is the Marion National Cemetery burial schedule?

VA posts a daily burial schedule for every national cemetery. Search it for Marion National 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 Marion National Cemetery directly at 765-674-0284.

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 Indiana law; our sister site ProbateUS explains how probate works in Indiana 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 Marion National Cemetery, by straight-line distance:

• Crown Hill National Cemetery Annex, Indianapolis, IN: 55 mi, status not listed
• Crown Hill National Cemetery, Indianapolis, IN: 56 mi, closed to new in-ground burials
• Crown Hill Confederate Plot, Indianapolis, IN: 56 mi, closed to new in-ground burials