Santa Fe National Cemetery is a VA national cemetery in Santa Fe, New Mexico. 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 Santa Fe National Cemetery
Santa Fe National Cemetery is located within the city limits of Santa Fe, NM, approximately one mile northwest of the main plaza.
Thirteen years before the Pilgrims settled in Plymouth Colony, the Spanish had established a small settlement in Santa Fe, NM. Santa Fe would soon become the seat of power for the Spanish Empire north of the Rio Grande and the oldest capital city in North America. Santa Fe is the site of both the oldest public building in America, the Palace of the Governors, and the nation's oldest community celebration, the Santa Fe Fiesta, established in 1712 to commemorate the Spanish reconquest of New Mexico in summer 1692. Conquistador Don Pedro de Peralta and his men laid out the plan for Santa Fe at the base of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains on the site of the ancient Pueblo ruin of Kaupoge, or "place of shell beads near the water."
When Mexico gained its independence from Spain, Santa Fe became the capital of the province of New Mexico. With the Spanish defeat came an end to the policy of a closed empire; American trappers and traders journeyed into the region along the 1,000 mile Santa Fe trail beginning in Arrow Rock, MO. For a brief period in 1837, northern New Mexico farmers rebelled against Mexican rule, killing the provincial governor in what has been called the Chimayó Rebellion, and occupying the capital. The insurrectionists were soon defeated and peace returned to Santa Fe for almost a decade.
In 1846, at the outset of the Mexican-American War, President James K. Polk asked General Stephen Watts Kearny to muster an army and march 1,000 miles into the Southwest to claim that region for the United States and organize territorial governments along the way. Kearny, faced with a Mexican administration weakened by years of occupation and political turmoil, was able to take Santa Fe without firing a shot. In quick succession, he won over the local leadership, assured a peaceful transition to a new civilian government and implemented a new legal code for the territory before continuing on to Arizona and California.
While there was little armed conflict in the territory of New Mexico during the Civil War, there were some engagements in the area of Santa Fe. Confederate General Henry H. Sibley raised and equipped a column to secure the secessionist claims in the New Mexico and Arizona region. Undermanned, often commanded by secessionist sympathizers and largely abandoned, the U.S. installations in the region were initially unable to defend themselves. News of the Confederate advance into New Mexico quickly raised volunteers from the Colorado Territory who took up the march. In addition, a large "California column" was raised to help defend the city of Santa Fe.
Toward the end of March 1862, Union Major John M. Chivington encountered a Confederate force southeast of the city, where the Santa Fe Trail crossed the mountains. Several days of skirmishes culminated in a battle at Glorieta Pass. Although the Confederates held their own, several hundred Union soldiers moved to the far end of the canyon and attacked the unprotected supply train. After bayoneting the pack animals and burning the wagons, the Union forces left Sibley's men little choice but to make the long trek back to Texas. The campaign not only ended Southern ambitions in the Southwest but it also forced the Confederate abandonment of Fort Bliss outside El Paso, TX.
At the close of the Civil War, the federal government established a cemetery for the reinterment of Union soldiers who died during the brief military activity in the area. The ground initially chosen was located just west of Santa Fe and is currently part of Santa Fe National Cemetery. The Roman Catholic Diocese of Santa Fe, who owned the property, donated the land to the United States in 1870. Santa Fe's initial designation as a national cemetery was short lived. In July 1876, the War Department decided that, to save expenses, its status should be downgraded to that of a post cemetery. The superintendent was transferred to Mound City National Cemetery, Illinois, and the quartermaster was transferred to Fort Macy, a local post in Santa Fe. Nine years later, however, it was re-established as a national cemetery.
Monuments and Memorials A granite and bronze memorial to World War II Glider Pilots was dedicated on Veterans Day, November 11, 1994.
A granite memorial to Women Who Served in the Navy was erected in November 1995. The Roadrunner Unit No. 4, New Mexico Chapter, sponsored the memorial.
The China-Burma-India Veterans Memorial is a granite block memorial erected in 2002. It is dedicated to the memory of the men and women who fought in World War II.
Ft. Craig Post Cemetery Memorial is dedicated to the men, women and children who perished at Fort Craig, New Mexico, in the late 1800s. Soldiers stationed there conducted military campaigns against the Apaches and Navajos and, during the Civil War, engaged the Texas Army in the Battle of Valverde in February 1862. Dedicated July 2009.
A granite and bronze memorial to Glorieta Pass Confederate Dead was erected April 1993.
Notable interments
The National Cemetery Administration lists these people of note buried at Santa Fe National Cemetery, with section and site where recorded.
Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor is the highest award for valor in action against an enemy force that can be bestowed upon an individual serving in the Armed Services of the United States.
Recipients receive the Medal of Honor from the President on behalf of Congress. It was first awarded during the Civil War and the eligibility criteria, medal design, and recognition on a recipients' grave marker have all evolved over time. There are 434 Medal of Honor recipients interred at VA national cemeteries including 6 double recipients.
Medal of Honor recipients interred or memorialized here:
Chief Water Tender Edward A.
Clary. He received the Medal of Honor while serving in the U.S. Navy for actions after a boiler accident on board the USS Hopkins, February 14, 1910. Clary died in 1939 and is buried in Section O, Site 335.
Private Edwin L.
Elwood (Indian Wars). He received the Medal of Honor while serving in the U.S. Army, Company G, 8th U.S. Cavalry, for actions in the Chiricahua Mountains, Arizona Territory, October 20, 1869. Elwood died in 1907 and is buried in Section H, Site 705.
Specialist 4 Daniel D.
Fernandez (Vietnam). Daniel D. Fernandez, native of New Mexico, enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1965 and served with Company C, 1st Battalion, 5th Mechanized Infantry, 25th Infantry Division. On February 18, 1966, while attempting to evacuate a wounded soldier, Fernandez and his comrades were ambushed. When a grenade landed in the middle of the group, to protect fellow soldiers, Fernandez sacrificed himself by covering the grenade blast with his body. He received the Medal of Honor posthumously on April 26, 1967. He is buried in Section S, Site 246.
Corporal Jacob Guenther (Indian Wars).
He received the Medal of Honor while serving in the U.S. Army, Company E, 8th U.S. Cavalry, for actions in the Arizona Territory in 1868–1869. His citation was awarded under the name of Gunther. He died in 1871 and is buried in Section A-3, Site 1055.
Corporal Thomas Murphy (Indian Wars).
Thomas Murphy was born in Kerry, Ireland, and enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1868. While serving in Company F, 8th U.S. Cavalry, Corporal Murphy received the Medal of Honor for actions on August 25, 1869, in Seneca Mountain, Arizona Territory. Murphy died June 27, 1881, and was buried in the cemetery at Fort Grant, Arizona. When the post closed, his remains were reinterred in Section A-1, Site 740.
Captain Raymond G.
"Jerry" Murphy (Korea). He received the Medal of Honor while serving in the U.S. Marine Corps, Company A, 1st Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division, for actions in Korea, February 3, 1953. Murphy died in 2007 and is buried in Section S, Site 282.
Sergeant Y.B.
Rowdy (Indian Wars). Y.B. Rowdy, a Yavapai Indian and native of Arizona, served in the U.S. Army. While in Company A of the Indian Scouts, Sergeant Rowdy demonstrated bravery against hostile Apache Indians at the Salt River, near Cherry Creek, Arizona Territory, on March 7, 1890. He received the Medal of Honor for these actions, but died on March 29, 1893. Originally interred at Fort Grant, Arizona, in 1907 his remains were reinterred in Section A, Site 894.
Colonel Robert S.
Scott (World War II). He received the Medal of Honor while serving in the U.S. Army, 172nd Infantry, 43rd Infantry Division, for actions near Munda Air Strip, New Georgia, Solomon Islands, July 29, 1943. Scott died in 1999 and is buried in Section 9, Site 460.
Private First Class Jose F.
Valdez (World War II). Jose F. Valdez, native of New Mexico, enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1943 and served with Company B, 7th Infantry, 3rd Infantry Division. On January 25, 1945, near Rosenkrantz, France, Private First Class Valdez volunteered to cover his company's withdrawal from enemy territory. Then, a wounded Valdez called for artillery and mortar fire near his position. After dragging himself back to American lines, he died from wounds. Valdez posthumously received the Medal of Honor on February 8, 1946. He is buried in Section Q, Site 29.
Directions
The cemetery is located on the north side of Santa Fe. Travel north from Albuquerque on Interstate 25. Take exit 276 (Santa Fe Bypass) and take a left at the light. Travel approximately 15 miles following signs for downtown Santa Fe. Move into left-hand lane following sign for (downtown/Museums) and you will see the cemetery on your left. Immediately after crossing the overpass take the first left into the cemetery.
Traveling from south from Las Vegas on Interstate 25, take exit 282, St. Francis Drive/Plaza. Stay on St. Francis Drive and travel about eight miles. Turn right onto Alamo Drive and, at the next stop sign, go straight across Guadalupe Street directly into cemetery.
Flowers and grounds rules
Fresh cut flowers may be placed on graves at any time. Metal and plastic temporary flower containers are permitted. Glass vases are not permitted.
Permanent vases are no longer permitted and will not be replaced or repaired.
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 Santa Fe National Cemetery.
A National Cemetery System Santa Fe National Cemetery
Who can be buried at Santa Fe 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 Santa Fe National Cemetery?
- 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).
- 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.
- You or the funeral director call 800-535-1117 (Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. ET) to request Santa Fe National Cemetery and a date. National cemeteries hold burials Monday through Friday.
Where is the Santa Fe National Cemetery burial schedule?
VA posts a daily burial schedule for every national cemetery. Search it for Santa Fe 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 Santa Fe National Cemetery directly at 505-988-6400.
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 New Mexico law; our sister site ProbateUS explains how probate works in New Mexico 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 Santa Fe National Cemetery, by straight-line distance:
- Angel Fire State Veterans Cemetery, Angel Fire, NM: 62 mi, open for burials
- Gallup State Veterans Cemetery, Gallup, NM: 152 mi, open for burials
- Fort Stanton State Veterans Cemetery, Fort Stanton, NM: 158 mi, open for burials
Funeral homes near Santa Fe National Cemetery
A funeral director usually arranges the burial with the cemetery. These are the closest funeral homes by straight-line distance. Each one links to its full listing on FuneralUS, our funeral home directory.
- Berardinelli Family Funeral ServiceSanta Fe, NMMilitary honors services1.8 mi from the cemetery
- Avista Cremation & BurialSanta Fe, NM5.6 mi from the cemetery
- Riverside Funeral Home of Santa FeSanta Fe, NM6.8 mi from the cemetery
- DeVargas Funeral Home - EspañolaEspanola, NM21.4 mi from the cemetery
- DeVargas Funeral Home & CrematoryEspanola, NM22.1 mi from the cemetery
- Rivera Family Funerals & Cremations – Los AlamosLos Alamos, NM23.3 mi from the cemetery