Source: National Cemetery Administration · cem.va.gov · scraped May 2026
History of Tahoma National Cemetery
Tahoma National Cemetery was established November 11, 1993, and opened for interments on October 1, 1997. The cemetery was dedicated on September 26, 1997. A small expansion project was completed in March 2006. The $6 million project included over 12,000 new columbarium niches, more than 5,000 pre-placed crypts, road improvements, new signage, a third committal shelter and a third funeral cortege lane at the Public Information Center. Phase II of the expansion project was completed in June, 2014. The $24 million project included over 14,000 new columbarium niches, more than 9,000 pre-placed crypts, 6,000 in-ground garden cremation sites, two memorial walls and an ossuary. Two new roads for accessing the new burial sections were constructed using permeable asphalt. The three new columbarium complexes contain rain gardens and bio swales to help mitigate the need for storm water runoff and retention ponds.
Monument and Memorials Tahoma has a Memorial walkway containing 36 memorials that commemorate soldiers of various 20th century wars, donated by various service organizations. At the northeast corner of the walkway is the POW-MIA flag. At the southwest corner of the walkway is a carillon that was donated by the Navy Fleet reserve Association Seattle branch 18 and was installed in 2010, dedicated to the volunteers of Tahoma National Cemetery.
A Blue Star Memorial is located south of the Public Information Center. The marker was originally part of a banner that families displayed in their homes during the 1940s to signify that they had a loved one fighting in World War II. Today, the marker honors all veterans.
Notable interments
Veterans, public figures, and citizens of note buried at Tahoma National Cemetery, listed by section and site as recorded by the National Cemetery Administration.
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:
Corporal Jesse T.
Barrick (Civil War). He received the Medal of Honor while serving in the U.S. Army, Company H, 3d Minnesota Infantry, for actions near Duck River, TN, May 26 – June 2, 1863. Barrick received a commission as an officer, Company G, 57th U.S. Colored Troops Infantry Regiment, in July 1864; he mustered out of service that October. Second Lieutenant Barrick died in 1923. His remains were interred with full military honors in February 2000, in Section 8, Site 108.
Sergeant Dexter J.
Kerstetter (World War II). He received the Medal of Honor while serving in the U.S. Army, Company C, 130th Infantry, 33rd Infantry Division, for actions near Galiano, Luzon, Philippine Islands, April 13, 1945. Kerstetter died in 1972 and is buried in Section 9B, Site 12.
Master Sergeant Wilburn K.
Ross (World War II). He received the Medal of Honor while serving in the U.S. Army, Company G, 30th Infantry, 3d Division, for actions near St. Jacques, France, October 30, 1944. Ross died in 2017 and is buried in Section 28B, Site 479.
Other Burials GM1 Leo George Allard (World War II).
Allard (1922–2025) was one of only a dozen survivors of Pearl Harbor at the time of his death, having served honorably on the USS Reid on December 7, 1941. Allard was from Springfield, MA and enlisted in the U.S. Navy in October 1940 and joined the Reid crew in February 1941.
Section I, Row D, Site 13.
Sergeant First Class Nathan Ross Chapman – first American serviceman to die from hostile fire in the war in Afghanistan in 2002.
Sergeant Chapman was a communications specialist with the 1st Special Forces Group at Fort Lewis, WA. .
Section 6, Site 33
Francis Agnes – former POW (1941 to 1945), survivor of the Bataan Death March, founder of the Tahoma National Cemetery Support Group .
Section 24, Site 717
Phillip F.
Smith was born in Brooklyn, NY, in 1932, and he graduated from high school in California at 16. He enlisted in the Coast Guard in September 1949 with tours on USCG Cutters Rhododendron, Bering Strait, and Staten Island. On-shore assignments took him to California, Alaska, and Washington; in Washington's 13th Coast Guard District, Smith became one of the first Senior Enlisted Advisors. He served as the Second Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard from 1973 to 1977, when he retired. MCPOCG Smith's advocacy for the Coast Guard's Senior Enlisted Leader program continues to influence the service in the changes he made on behalf of enlisted men. He died June 22, 2017, and is buried in Tahoma National Cemetery .
Section 30B, Site 126
Mary Jean Sturdevant was born September 28, 1921, in Oregon.
The high school valedictorian then became one of three women to join the civilian pilot program at Southern Oregon University. Upon graduation she became an instructor and trained Army Air Corps cadets. Sturdevant was accepted into the Women Airforce (sic) Service Pilots (WASP) program but her value as an instructor was more important. Stationed at Merced (CA), she flew Army AT-6s and BT-13s and taught male pilots to fly until the WASP program ended in 1945. In 1977 WASPs were recognized as veterans, and in 2009 they were awarded the Congressional Gold Medal. Pilot Sturdevant died June 24, 2017. She is buried in Tahoma National Cemetery .
Section FI, Row B, Niche 3
Eligibility for burial at Tahoma 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 Sea-Tac Airport, take Interstate-5 southbound to exit 142A (Highway 18 Auburn/North Bend). Stay on Highway 18 for 13 miles. Take the S.E. 256th Street exit. At the stop sign turn left onto 256th Street. At the first traffic light, turn right onto 180th Avenue S.E. proceed straight after three way stop. At the stop sign, turn right onto 240th Street. Tahoma National Cemetery is ¼ mile on left.
Floral and grounds policy
Cemetery policies are conspicuously posted and readily visible to the public.
The cemetery staff will place three floral arrangements, which accompanied the casket or urn at the time of burial, on the completed grave. Natural cut flowers may be placed on graves at any time of the year. They will be removed when they become unsightly or when it becomes necessary to facilitate cemetery operations such as mowing.
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 Tahoma National Cemetery (by straight-line distance):
- Fort Lawton Post Cemetery — Seattle, WA (24 mi · closed)
- Fort Worden Post Cemetery — Port Townsend, WA (60 mi · closed)
- Fort Stevens National Cemetery — Hammond, OR (121 mi · open)
Nearby veteran-friendly funeral homes
The following funeral homes within a 50-mile radius of Tahoma National Cemetery have demonstrated a commitment to serving veterans through specialized services, VA benefits coordination, or dedicated honors details.
Edline-Yahn & Covington Funeral Chapel is a premier funeral home located at 27221 156Th Avenue Southeast in Kent, WA. The property features well-appointed spaces including chapel. Professional offerings include burial, cremation, and alkaline hydrolysis, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $2,700. For families preferring a traditional approach, basic burial services begin at $2,700, while direct cremation is available from $2,700. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically Lutheran, Presbyterian, and Catholic.
Marlatt Funeral Home is a premier funeral home located at 713 Central Avenue North in Kent, WA. The property features well-appointed spaces including chapel, viewing rooms, and outside reception space. Professional offerings include pre-planning services, burial options, and honoring veterans, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $1,695. For families preferring a traditional approach, basic burial services begin at $4,195, while direct cremation is available from $1,695. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically Lutheran (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America), Methodist (United Methodist Church), Episcopal, and Catholic.
Yahn & Son Funeral Home & Crematory is a premier funeral home located at 55 West Valley Hwy. S in Auburn, WA. The property features well-appointed spaces including funeral home facility, chapel, and reception area. Professional offerings include visitation, funeral service, and reception, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. For families preferring a traditional approach, basic burial services begin at $3,995, while direct cremation is available from $1,400. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically All faiths and cultures (non-denominational chapel available) and Christian denominations (including Catholic and Methodist, based on nearby churches and obituary mentions). The firm's dedication to service is reflected in their 4.5-star Google rating across 43 reviews.
Return Home is a premier funeral home located at 4146 B Place Northwest in Auburn, WA. The property features well-appointed spaces including terramation center, 74 custom-designed vessels, and the woodland. Professional offerings include terramation, human composting, and natural organic reduction, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $5,450. Direct cremation services are provided starting at $5,450. The standard basic services fee for the funeral director and staff is $1,350.
Edwards Memorial Funeral Home - Federal Way is a premier funeral home located at 31919 6Th Avenue South in Federal Way, WA. The property features well-appointed spaces including chapel, audio visual equipment, and private gathering spaces. Professional offerings include cremation services, funeral & memorial services, and funeral preplanning, 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 $2,500, while direct cremation is available from $1,570. The standard basic services fee for the funeral director and staff is $2,260. Additional typical expenses include embalming ($780) and use of facilities for viewing ($515). The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically Diverse religious and cultural traditions (e.g., Ritual Washing).
Weeks' Enumclaw Funeral Home is a premier funeral home located at 1810 Wells Street in Enumclaw, WA. The property features well-appointed spaces including on-site chapel, crematory, and cemetery. Professional offerings include funeral, cremation, and memorial services, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. For families preferring a traditional approach, basic burial services begin at $1,875, while direct cremation is available from $1,875. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically Christian denominations and Catholic.
Columbia Funeral Home & Crematory is a premier funeral home located at 4567 Rainier Ave. S in Seattle, WA. The property features well-appointed spaces including fireside room. Professional offerings include funeral, cremation, and memorial services, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $2,495. For families preferring a traditional approach, basic burial services begin at $5,095, while direct cremation is available from $2,495. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically Catholic, Lutheran, and Christian (general).
Sunset Hills Memorial Park is a premier funeral home located at 1215 145Th Place Southeast in Bellevue, WA. The property features well-appointed spaces including flexible event space, large-capacity chapel, and celebration of life center. Professional offerings include funeral services, cremation services, and water cremation, 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 $2,995, while direct cremation is available from $1,995. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically Catholic, Jewish, and Christian.