Northwoods National Cemetery

Northwoods National Cemetery is a VA national cemetery in Harshaw, Wisconsin. 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 Northwoods National Cemetery

Northwoods National Cemetery is the fourth Rural Initiative cemetery to be built by the VA's National Cemetery Administration. The VA purchased the land in September 2015 and awarded a contract to build the cemetery in August 2017. The cemetery was dedicated in August 2020.

Directions

Cemetery is located Northwest of the Rhinelander Airport. From the airport, head south toward Airport Rd, turning left to stay on Airport Rd shortly after. Turn right onto US-8 W, then another right in 2 miles onto N Rifle Rd. In another 2 miles turn left onto Co Hwy K/Co Rd K. In about 9 miles you will turn right onto Lakewood Rd, where you will find the Cemetery on the right.

Flowers and grounds rules

Fresh cut flowers may be placed on graves at any time of the year. Portable cone containers for flowers can be found throughout the cemetery in stone containers. Flowers will be disposed of by cemetery personnel when they are withered, faded or otherwise unsightly. Artificial flowers may only be placed on graves from October 1 through April 1 because the wires from artificial flowers have caused damage to the mowing equipment, and pose a safety hazard to workers and visitors during mowing operations. They will be removed when they are faded or unsightly. Floral items should only be placed at either side of headstones in line with the headstone row. This allows for equipment operations and prevents damage to floral items. Flower items should be placed at the bottom of a column at the Columbarium. Floral items and other types of decorations will not be secured to headstones, markers, or niches. NO GLASS or METAL of any kind is allowed. The cemetery assumes no responsibility for items left on gravesites. Due to the open nature of the grounds, we cannot guarantee against theft, vandalism, or the effects of nature. Northwoods National Cemetery does not sell or provide flowers, wreaths or other gravesite adornments and our staff cannot recommend a private florist. Planting of flowers, shrubs, potted plants, etc. are prohibited. Holiday wreaths or grave blankets may be placed on graves from November 1 through January 20. They will be removed after January 20 or when they become withered, faded or otherwise unsightly. Grave floral blankets cannot be larger in size than 2x3 feet. They cannot be secured to headstones or markers. Permanent plantings, statues, vigil lights, breakable objects, pinwheels, balloons, glass, shepherd's hooks, toys and stuffed animals and similar commemorative items are not permitted on the graves at any time. Small US, POW/MIA, US Armed Forces Branches, and Medal of Honor gravesite flags are authorized. Pets are not allowed in the National Cemetery. Working, licensed service dogs are permitted at any time. Sports or recreational activities of any kind are prohibited. Smoking and alcohol are not allowed on the grounds, in any building, or the committal shelter.

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

Where is the Northwoods National Cemetery burial schedule?

VA posts a daily burial schedule for every national cemetery. Search it for Northwoods 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 Northwoods National Cemetery directly at 906-396-9276.

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

• Central Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery, King, WI: 97 mi, open for burials
• Northern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Spooner, WI: 104 mi, open for burials
• Fort Winnebago Cemetery Soldiers' Lot, Portage, WI: 145 mi, closed to new in-ground burials