Source: National Cemetery Administration · cem.va.gov · scraped May 2026
History of Omaha National Cemetery
The Department of Veterans Affairs purchased the property in 2012 for $6.2 million.
The Dedication Ceremony took place on August 5, 2016 and the first interments took place on September 27, 2016.
Notable interments
Veterans, public figures, and citizens of note buried at Omaha National Cemetery, listed by section and site as recorded by the National Cemetery Administration.
Missourian Melvin Carl Anderson was born in 1912 and by 1930 his family moved to Omaha, NE.
When the United States entered World War II, he enlisted in the army. In November 1944, Sergeant Anderson was part of Co. C, 803rd Tank Destroyer Battalion, supporting the fighting near Grosshau, Germany. Two tank destroyers and six tanks were destroyed, including Anderson's. On December 21, 1944, Anderson was categorized as killed in action and his name was inscribed on the Wall of the Missing, Netherlands American Cemetery. He was awarded a Bronze Star and Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster, posthumously. U.S. investigators later found the remnants of a tank destroyer near Grosshau; it contained unknown remains that were interred at Rhone American Cemetery. New DNA technologies have allowed the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency to identify remains such as those of Anderson. He was reburied in Omaha National Cemetery on October 12, 2018 .
Section 3, Site 299
Born in 1925, Jean Annette Briggs grew up in Bury St.
Edmunds, Suffolk County, England. One of three girls, she was a talented artist who attended school in Cambridge. In 1943, at 18, she joined the Royal Navy and her family believed she drove a bus during World War II. Briggs actually operated a BOMBE machine, used to decode German military messages, and worked for master codebreaker Alan Turing. The secret ULTRA project cracked Germany's ENIGMA code. Briggs married U.S. Army Air Corps pilot John Watters (1917–2018) after the war. He flew B-17s, and later the U.S. Air Force colonel served in Korea and Vietnam. The couple raised six children in Bellevue, NE. Jean Briggs Watters died September 15, 2018, and was buried with British military honors. She is interred with her husband in Omaha National Cemetery .
Section 3, Site 253
Wilfred Louis Ebel (1930–2018) was the fifth director of what is now the National Cemetery Administration, from 1987–1989.
The Nebraskan served in the U.S. Army during the Korean and Vietnam conflicts. Ebel received military commendations including the Legion of Merit and Distinguished Service, and he was inducted into the Senior Army Reserve Commanders Association Hall of Fame in 1995. As a civilian, he held appointments in the Nixon, Ford, Reagan, and Bush administrations. The Memorial Affairs program at VA became the National Cemetery System during his tenure. Ebel oversaw the development of Florida and Fort Mitchell (AL) national cemeteries, transfer of a state veteran cemetery into the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona, and the opening of three state cemeteries. He remained connected to NCA until his death. Ebel died July 3, 2018, and is buried in Omaha National Cemetery .
Section 1, Site 854
Eligibility for burial at Omaha 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 Eppley Airfield head south toward Pratt Ct. Turn right on Pratt Ct. Turn right on Abbott Drive. Keep right to stay on Abbott Dr. Continue onto John J Pershing Dr. Turn left onto Dick Collins Rd. Dick Collins Road turns right and becomes McKinley Street. Turn right on N 31st Street. Turn left to merge onto I-680 W. Take exit 446 to merge onto I-80 West toward Lincoln. Take exit 440 for NE-50/144th Street. Turn left and go south 2.1 miles to Schram Road and turn left/east. The main entrance to the cemetery is 1/8 of a mile on the left from 144th Street/Hwy 50.
If traveling from Iowa take Interstate 80 west to S 144th Street/ Hwy 50 and turn south. Continue 2.1 miles to Schram Road and turn left/east. The main entrance to the cemetery is 1/8 of a mile on the left from 144th Street/Hwy 50.
Floral and grounds policy
You can place fresh cut flowers on your loved one's grave throughout the year.
At the time of burial, floral arrangements with the casket or urn will be placed on the completed grave.
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 Omaha National Cemetery (by straight-line distance):
- Forest Lawn Cemetery Soldiers' Lot — Omaha, NE (16 mi · closed)
- Iowa Veterans Cemetery — Adel, IA (117 mi · open)
- Nebraska Veterans Cemetery at Grand Island — Grand Island, NE (117 mi · open)
Nearby veteran-friendly funeral homes
The following funeral homes within a 50-mile radius of Omaha National Cemetery have demonstrated a commitment to serving veterans through specialized services, VA benefits coordination, or dedicated honors details.
Braman Mortuary is a premier funeral home located at 1702 North 72nd St. in Omaha, NE. The property features well-appointed spaces including on-site crematory, 72nd street chapel, and millard chapel. Professional offerings include traditional funeral services, cremation services, and preplanning services, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $1,760. For families preferring a traditional approach, basic burial services begin at $4,600, while direct cremation is available from $1,760. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically Catholic and Christian (Non-denominational). The firm's dedication to service is reflected in their 4.4-star Google rating across 16 reviews.
Bethany Funeral Home is a premier funeral home located at 8201 Harrison Street in La Vista, NE. The property features well-appointed spaces including chapel, piano, and cameras for webcasting. Professional offerings include cremation services, traditional service, and memorial service, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. Direct cremation services are provided starting at $1,785. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically Catholic and Christian.
John A. Gentleman Mortuaries is a premier funeral home located at 14151 Pacific St. in Omaha, NE. The property features well-appointed spaces including reception spaces, event spaces, and chapel. Professional offerings include traditional services, cremation services, and memorial services, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $2,786. For families preferring a traditional approach, basic burial services begin at $5,545, while direct cremation is available from $2,786. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically Catholic and Baptist.
Korisko-Larkin-Staskiewicz Funeral Home is a premier funeral home located at 5108 F Street in Omaha, NE. The property features well-appointed spaces including main chapel with pew seating, smaller visitation rooms, and main lounge with fireplace and complimentary coffee. Direct cremation services are provided starting at $2,055. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically Catholic, Non-Denominational Christian, and All Faiths (implied by non-denominational chapel).
Heafey Hoffmann Dworak Cutler Mortuary is a premier funeral home located at 7805 West Center Rd. in Omaha, NE. The property features well-appointed spaces including large chapel, dedicated reception room, and quiet family rooms. Professional offerings include funerals, cremation, and burial, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $1,900. For families preferring a traditional approach, basic burial services begin at $4,775, while direct cremation is available from $1,900. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically Catholic and Christian (various denominations).
Braman Mortuary & Cremation Services is a premier funeral home located at 1702 North 72Nd Street in Omaha, NE. The property features well-appointed spaces including on-site crematory, 72nd street chapel, and millard chapel. Professional offerings include traditional funeral services, cremation services, and preplanning arrangements, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. For families preferring a traditional approach, basic burial services begin at $4,600, while direct cremation is available from $1,760. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically Catholic, Presbyterian, and Baptist.
Roeder Mortuary, Omaha is a premier funeral home located at 4932 Ames Ave. in Omaha, NE. The property features well-appointed spaces including ames ave chapel, 108th street chapel, and gretna chapel. Professional offerings include traditional funeral, memorial service, and graveside service, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $1,885. For families preferring a traditional approach, basic burial services begin at $4,075, while direct cremation is available from $1,885. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically Lutheran, Catholic, and Christian.
Brian P Harvey Funeral Home is a premier funeral home located at 1408 8Th Avenue in Plattsmouth, NE. The property features well-appointed spaces including handicapped accessible building, large open areas, and flexible seating chapel. Professional offerings include burial, traditional funeral service, and viewing, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $2,895. For families preferring a traditional approach, basic burial services begin at $5,595, while direct cremation is available from $2,895. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically Assemblies of God, Presbyterian, Baptist, Episcopal, and Lutheran.