The National Cemetery of the Alleghenies is located in southwestern Pennsylvania, approximately 12 miles southwest of the city of Pittsburgh. The 292 acre site is located along Interstate 79 in Washington County near Bridgeville and Cannonsburg.
Basic Eligibility:
Veteran of the armed forces who was discharged under conditions other than dishonorable.
For enlisted , service beginning after September 7, 1980 (Oct. 16, 1981 for officer), service must be a minimum of 24 months of continuous active duty, or serve the full period which a person was called to active duty (typically applies to a Reservist).
Member of Armed Forces who dies on active duty.
Reservist/National Guard who were entitled to retired pay (Title 10) at the time of death, or would be entitled at the age of 60. Reservists/Guard who die while hospitalized/being treated at the time of death for an injury/disease incurred under honorable conditions while performing active or inactive duty for training.
Veteran/Member has NOT been convicted of a capital crime.
Spouses are eligible for burial, even if the veteran is not interred in a National Cemetery.
For remarried spouses who die after January 1, 2000, whose subsequent marriage was to a non-veteran, eligibility remains based on marriage to veteran. Divorce and annulment of marriage disqualifies former spouses from interment.
Minor Children are eligible who die prior to age 21, or age 23 if pursuing a full time course of instruction at an approved educational institution, or became physically or mentally incapable of self support prior to age 21, or 23 if in school.
For Specific situations not covered by the above, please contact your local National Cemetery for more information.
History and Background: The National Cemetery Administration purchased the northern section of the new national cemetery in 2003. Before being converted to a cemetery, the site has been constantly farmed since the 1800's, and was the flash point of the historic Whisky Rebellion of 1794. The National Cemetery became a National Cemetery in 2005 and serves an estimated 323,000 veterans in southwestern Pennsylvania and northern West Virginia. Currently, between three and five acres of land are developed. By the end of 2007, 80 acres will be developed. The cemetery accommodates casketed and cremated remains. Cremated remains are buried in the ground in specially designated sections of the cemetery.
All visitors are welcome daily and open to the public during daylight hours. Specific gravesites may be found by visiting the office. A Nationwide Gravesite Locator for national cemeteries is also available on the Internet at
http://www.cem.va.gov
General cemetery information is available in the office. Visitors to specific gravesites may park along the road near the gravesite they are visiting. Restrooms are located at the front of the cemetery. No water fountains are available.
Visitors attending committal services should gather at the office. Roadway parking is available throughout the cemetery and near the committal shelter during services. Special observances and ceremonies are held in designated areas.
Patriotic ceremonies are held throughout the year. For the times and dates of ceremonies, call the cemetery office.
While they invite visitors to the National Cemetery of the Alleghenies, they remind them of the solemn purpose of these grounds and ask that they act in a dignified manner while on cemetery grounds. For this reason, sports and recreational activities are not permitted, including: Bicycling, Jogging, Picnicking, Public gatherings of a partisan nature, Rollerblading, and Walking of pets.
Floral Policy: They welcome and encourage fresh-cut flowers throughout the year and provide flower containers for gravesite display. Cemetery visitors are free to use the containers located in receptacles placed throughout the grounds. Once the blooms are spent or damaged by weather, they are removed. They also may be removed for routine mowing or other maintenance. Artificial flowers are allowed only after the mowing operations in the fall on October 15th and must be removed when mowing operations resume in the spring on April 15th. On Easter and Memorial Day: Potted plants and artificial flowers may be placed on gravesites 10 days before through 10 days following the holiday. During the holiday season, from December 1st through January 20th, seasonal floral items and gravesite pillows may be placed on gravesites. To maintain the dignity of the cemetery, commemorative items, balloons, pinwheels, wind chimes, glass items, votive lights, statues, shepherd's hooks and permanent plantings, among other items, are not allowed. No item or object may be attached to a headstone or marker in a national cemetery. Animals may eat fresh flowers and arrangements.
Making Cemetery Arrangements: Burial arrangements can be made through a funeral home or by the next-of-kin directly with cemetery staff. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., except for federal holidays.
Before they can approve burial of a veteran, spouse, or dependant, they must have proof of the veteran's eligibility. The best way to prove eligibility is with documentation of service and discharge, such as the DD 214. Once eligibility is determined, they can schedule the burial.
National cemetery interment includes U.S. government-provided benefits including: a burial plot; assistance with a committal service; gravesite opening and closing; a headstone, gravesite marker, or columbarium cover with inscriptions; a United States burial flag; perpetual care of the gravesite; and a memorial certificate signed by the President. Funeral director's services are not covered.
Almost all veterans are eligible for military honors, which may be requested through the family's funeral director and provided by the Department of Defense.
Gravesites are assigned and cannot be selected in advance. Assignments are made without regard to rank, ethnic or religious background, branch of service or other factors. A husband and wife are interred in the same plot unless both were veterans. In that case, they may be buried side by side in separate plots. Cremated remains are buried in the ground in specially designated sections of the cemetery.
All veterans interred at the national cemetery are eligible for a headstone or marker. It normally takes less than 60 days following a burial for the headstone or marker to be completed and in place.
Burials and interments are scheduled at one-hour intervals between 9 a.m. and 2:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except for federal holidays. Out of respect for all persons buried that day, the cemetery's main flag is lowered to half-staff 30 minutes before the first service, where it remains until 30 minutes following the last service.
WHAT THE CEMETERY PROVIDES FREE OF CHARGE:
* A gravesite, to include opening, closing and perpetual maintenance.
* A grave liner (type varies by cemetery) for casketed burials.
An engraved headstone (varies by cemetery, NCOTA'S are upright marble). NCOTA allows for 2 lines of 15 characters of additional inscriptions. 30 Emblems of belief (such as a cross) are also available.
* A burial flag.
* A Presidential Memorial Certificate.
Contact: National Cemetery of the Alleghenies Cemetery Administrative Office
1158 Morgan Road Phone: (724)746-4363
Bridgeville, Pennsylvania 15017 Fax: (724)746-4360