Source: National Cemetery Administration · cem.va.gov · scraped May 2026
History of South Florida National Cemetery
South Florida National Cemetery is the fifth national cemetery built in Florida and the 125th in the national cemetery system.
Historically, the site of South Florida National Cemetery was used as farmland, as evidenced by the historic canal systems used to irrigate the property. Portions of the site were used for cattle grazing up until the time of its purchase by the National Cemetery Administration in 2002.
The development of Palm Beach County, and South Florida in general, was sparked by the investment in the local railroad system by Henry Morrison Flagler. An early partner of Standard Oil with John D. Rockefeller, Flagler left the company in the late 19th century, turning his attention to the creation of a continuous railway system down the east coast of Florida, stretching from Jacksonville to Key West. This railway was instrumental to the rapid growth of Palm Beach County in the 20th century.
South Florida National Cemetery opened for burials in 2007, and was formally dedicated on March 9, 2008.
Notable interments
Veterans, public figures, and citizens of note buried at South Florida National Cemetery, listed by section and site as recorded by the National Cemetery Administration.
Joseph "Joe" Henry Astroth (World War II).
Astroth was born in Illinois in 1922. He attended the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and played baseball and basketball. He joined the Coast Guard in 1942 and served until the end of World War II. After the war he signed a contract with the Philadelphia Athletics professional baseball team and made his major league debut in August 1945. Astroth was a consistent catcher in 10 years with the Athletics, who moved to Kansas City during his tenure. He was a solid defensive player who had a career percentage of "caught stealing" at 49-percent. He is one of only nine players to collect six RBIs in a single inning, a feat he performed against the Washington Senators in 1950.
SP4 Thomas Howard Corey (Vietnam).
Corey (1944–2022) was a disabled Veteran and Nobel Peace Prize nominee known for his advocacy on behalf of the Veteran community. A Detroit native, Corey was drafted in 1967 and served in Vietnam with the 1st Cavalry Division. On January 31, 1968, while attempting to take an enemy-held village, he received a gunshot wound to the neck that left him a quadriplegic. Despite his injuries, Corey became a tireless advocate for his fellow Veterans, working for Vietnam Veterans of America and serving on advisory boards with local VA Medical Centers. He later made sixteen trips to Vietnam, focusing on locating POW/MIAs and issues related to Agent Orange exposure. Corey was nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize, and the West Palm Beach VA Medical Center was posthumously named after him. His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal with V device for Valor, two Purple Hearts, an Air Medal, an Army Commendation Medal, a Presidential Unit Citation, and a Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross.
Section 38, Site 734
John "Johnny" Leonard Gray (World War II).
Gray was born in West Palm Beach, FL in 1926 and was a standout baseball player at Rollins College in Winter Park, FL. During World War II he served with the U.S. Army in the Mediterranean Theater. He was signed as a pitcher by the New York Yankees in 1950 and played four years in the minor leagues before making his major league debut with the Philadelphia Athletics in 1954. He moved with that squad to Kansas City and also played with the Cleveland Indians and Philadelphia Phillies throughout a four-season major league career. His best game took place on July 30, 1957, when he pitched a three-hit shutout against the Baltimore Orioles at Memorial Stadium in Baltimore.
Chris Hixon (Persian Gulf, Iraq).
Hixon enlisted in the Navy in 1986 and transitioned into the Naval Reserves in 1992 where he retired in October 2013. His military awards and decorations include 3 Navy Achievement Medals, Good Conduct Medal, Navy Reserve Meritorious Service Medal and Navy Reserve Medal. He saw service in the Persian Gulf during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. Hixon worked as the athletic director and wrestling coach at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, FL. He stepped in to coach other sports threatened to be discontinued, at different times coaching as many as five sports with no supplemental pay. During a horrific school shooting on February 14, 2018, Hixon raced toward the gunfire to protect the students and stop the attack. He was one of 17 killed at the Parkland school.
Claude Roy Kirk, Jr.
(World War II, Korea). Kirk was born in San Bernardino, CA in 1926. He enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve after high school and rose to the rank of second lieutenant serving stateside in World War II. He earned a bachelor's degree from Duke University and graduated from the University of Alabama School of Law in Tuscaloosa in 1949. He was recalled to the Marines during the Korean War and served with the 1st Marine Division and then aboard the battleship USS New Jersey. He was discharged in 1952 as a first lieutenant, and started a successful insurance firm in Jacksonville, FL in the late 1950s. Kirk changed his party affiliation to Republican in 1960 and, after losing a bid for a U.S. Senate seat in 1964, won the Florida governorship in 1966 — the first Republican governor in the state since Reconstruction. He held the office for one term, from 1967 until 1971, earning the nickname "Claudius Maximus" for his brash, colorful personality.
Colonel Alan Cawthra Macaulay (Korea, Vietnam).
Macaulay (1937–2022) was born in Bridgeport, CT, and enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1954. He was initially an aviation mechanic, but within two years was accepted for flight training, and in July 1957 he was commissioned a naval aviator. Macaulay served two tours in Vietnam, flying over 900 combat missions, for which he was awarded two Distinguished Flying Crosses, the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry, and over forty separate air medals. In 1981, Macaulay was promoted to full colonel and went on to serve as deputy director of operations, National Military Command Center, commanding officer of the 31st MAU, and executive assistant to the Marine Corps director of aviation. In retirement he, along with two business partners, founded Delpar Enterprises, a tire and automotive services company. .
Section 38, Site 2622
John Orsino (Vietnam).
Orsino was born in Teaneck, NJ in 1938 and grew up in Fort Lee. He attended the University of Bridgeport, CT, on scholarship for one year before signing with the New York Giants as a catcher prior to the 1957 season. He had five successful seasons in the minor leagues hitting 100 home runs and being named to three all star teams, including the 1960 All-American Minor League Team. Two of his minor league off-seasons were spent with the U.S. Army, one of them an 8-month tour due to the 1961 Berlin Crisis. His major league debut with the San Francisco Giants came in July 1961. He was acquired by the Baltimore Orioles the following season and remained with them through 1965, then played for the Washington Senators from 1966–1967. Orsino returned to New Jersey after his professional career ended and coached baseball at Fairleigh Dickinson University from 1970–1976 and 1980. After his baseball coaching career, he worked as a golf pro in New Jersey, then Florida. He was the Florida Atlantic University golf coach from 2004–2006.
Henry "Hank" Rosenstein (World War II).
Rosenstein was born in Brooklyn in 1920 and attended City College of New York. He was named the MVP of the Eastern Jewish Center Basketball League for 1942–1943. During World War II he served in the Navy and played for the Sampson Navy and Brooklyn Armed Guards — both Navy basketball teams playing in New York. Following WWII, Rosenstein played for a mostly Jewish New York Knicks team that took part in what is considered the NBA's first game on November 1, 1946, against the Toronto Huskies in Toronto. He was traded to the Providence Steamrollers in 1947 and played for the Scranton Miners from 1947–1952. Rosenstein was inducted into the National Jewish Sports Hall of Fame in 1998.
Leo Carmen Zeferetti (World War II).
Zeferetti was born in Brooklyn in 1927. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1944 to 1946 as a yeoman. From 1957 to 1974 he was a New York City Department of Corrections officer. In 1974 he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives from New York's 15th district, representing several neighborhoods in Brooklyn, as a Democrat. He served 4 terms in the House until losing a bid for reelection in 1982.
Eligibility for burial at South Florida 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 the North: Via FL Turnpike: Exit Lake Worth Road (# 93), turn left heading West until you come to SR 7 / US 441. Make a left heading South until you pass Lantana Road. Cemetery is on your right.
Via I-95 from PBI: Exit Lantana Road / FL 812 (# 61), turn right heading West until you come to SR7 / US 441. Make a left heading South. Cemetery is on your right.
Floral and grounds policy
We welcome fresh-cut flowers throughout the year and provide flower containers for gravesite displays as a courtesy. Once the flowers become unsightly, we will remove them. They may also be removed for routine mowing or other maintenance.
At the time of your loved one's burial, the following number of floral arrangements may be placed based on the type of interment:
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 South Florida National Cemetery (by straight-line distance):
- Atlantic Garden Veteran Cemetery — Aguadilla, PR (135 mi · open)
- Sarasota National Cemetery — Sarasota, FL (142 mi · open)
- Cape Canaveral National Cemetery — Mims, FL (156 mi · open)
Nearby veteran-friendly funeral homes
The following funeral homes within a 50-mile radius of South Florida National Cemetery have demonstrated a commitment to serving veterans through specialized services, VA benefits coordination, or dedicated honors details.
Dorsey-E. Earl Smith Funeral Home - Lake Worth Memory Gardens is a premier funeral home located at 3041 Kirk Rd. in Lake Worth, FL. The property features well-appointed spaces including flexible event space, celebration of life center, and veterans cemetery section. Professional offerings include funeral services, cremation services, and traditional burial, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $2,220. Direct cremation services are provided starting at $2,220. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically Muslim, Jewish, Catholic, and Christian.
Palm Beach Memorial Park is a premier funeral home located at 3691 Seacrest Boulevard in Lantana, FL. The property features well-appointed spaces including cemetery, on-site crematory, and mausoleum. Professional offerings include funeral services, cremation services, and cemetery arrangements, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $1,995. For families preferring a traditional approach, basic burial services begin at $5,575, while direct cremation is available from $1,995. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically Jewish.
Scobee-Combs-Bowden Funeral Home is a premier funeral home located at 599 Northeast 15Th Avenue in Boynton Beach, FL. The property features well-appointed spaces including on-site crematory. Professional offerings include funeral services, cremation services, and veterans services, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $1,980. For families preferring a traditional approach, basic burial services begin at $2,055, while direct cremation is available from $1,775. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically Catholic, Jewish, and Christian.
Kronish Funeral Services is a premier funeral home located at 9070 Kimberly Boulevard Ste #22 in Boca Raton, FL. With deep roots in the community, they provide a peaceful and accommodating environment to honor the memory of loved ones. Professional offerings include traditional synagogue/temple ceremonies, graveside ceremonies, and cryptside ceremonies, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically Jewish, Orthodox Jewish, Conservative Jewish, and Reform Jewish.
Babione Funeral Home is a premier funeral home located at 10060 Calle Comercio Drive in Boca Raton, FL. The property features well-appointed spaces including flexible event space, celebration of life center, and modern funeral home. Professional offerings include cremation, traditional funeral service, and celebration of life, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $595. Direct cremation services are provided starting at $2,640. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically Asian Traditions, Buddhist, Catholic, Christian, Hispanic Traditions, Hindu, Jewish, and Muslim.
Gary Panoch Funeral Home & Cremations is a premier funeral home located at 6140 North Federal Highway in Boca Raton, FL. With deep roots in the community, they provide a peaceful and accommodating environment to honor the memory of loved ones. Professional offerings include cremation, burial, and repatriation, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $1,570. For families preferring a traditional approach, basic burial services begin at $4,495, while direct cremation is available from $1,570.
Star of David Cemetery of the Palm Beaches is a premier funeral home located at 9321 Memorial Park Road in West Palm Beach, FL. The property features well-appointed spaces including large-capacity chapel, coffee lounge, and pet friendly. Professional offerings include cremation, burial, and personalized funerals, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $1,045. For families preferring a traditional approach, basic burial services begin at $4,990, while direct cremation is available from $1,045. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically Asian Funeral Traditions, Buddhist Funeral Traditions, Catholic Funeral Traditions, Hispanic Funeral Traditions, Hindu Funeral Traditions, Muslim Funeral Traditions, Christian Funeral Traditions, Jewish Funeral Traditions, and Black Funeral Traditions. The firm's dedication to service is reflected in their 4.7-star Google rating across 113 reviews.
Babione-Kraeer Funeral Home and Cremation Center is a premier funeral home located at 1100 North Federal Hwy. in Boca Raton, FL. The property features well-appointed spaces including flexible event space, large-capacity chapel, and celebration of life center. Professional offerings include funeral service video production, audio and video equipment, and popular funeral music selections, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $2,595. For families preferring a traditional approach, basic burial services begin at $4,345, while direct cremation is available from $3,270. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically Asian traditions, Buddhist traditions, Catholic traditions, Hispanic traditions, Hindu traditions, Muslim traditions, Christian (Protestant) traditions, Jewish traditions, Black traditions, Qingming Festival customs, Chung Yeung Festival customs, and Día de los Muertos customs.