Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery

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General Information:

Burial is open to all veterans discharged from active military service under conditions other than dishonorable. Their spouses, minor children, and under certain conditions, unmarried adult children are also eligible for burial. Eligible spouses may be buried, even if they predecease the veteran. Also eligible for burial are members of the reserve components of the Armed Forces, the Army and National Guard, and the Reserve Officer Training Corps who die while on active duty for training or performing service, or who have 20 years of service in reserve components of the Armed Forces creditable for retired pay.

Location:

Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery
15550 Hwy 115
Little Falls, MN 56345

Hours of Operation:

Grounds:	Daylight Hours, 7 days per week.
Office:	8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday (closed on State Holidays)

What is Provided?

Gravesite:

Next available, no pre-selection

Lawn Crypts/Graveliners/Vaults:

Effective November 1, 2003, a pre-placed graveliner (lawn crypt) will be provided by the cemetery for all casket burials in sections 10, 11 and 12. Assignment of gravesites in sections 10, 11 and 12 will be based on a first come, first served basis.

All burials in section 1 will require a graveliner/vault which will need to be purchased through the chosen funeral director. Section 1 is the only casket burial section which has been used since the cemetery opened in June, 1994. After November 1, 2003, section 1 will only be used for the interment of individuals with spouses already buried at the cemetery or for individuals who choose to purchase a sealed vault from their chosen funeral director.

Columbarium Niches:

We now have 2 options for the placement of cremated remains at the cemetery. We have constructed over 1,000 above-ground columbarium niches for cremated remains. We will also continue to provide in-ground burial of cremated remains. The choice for the placement of cremated remains either in-ground or above-ground will need to be determined by the next-of-kin.

Headstone:

Standard government upright granite

Perpetual Care:

Gravesites maintained by cemetery personnel

What is the Cost?

• Veteran: $0
• Spouse/Eligible Dependent:*
  • $700 (all burial options) effective March 1, 2013
  • $250 casket burial if the veteran was buried in the cemetery prior to November 1, 2003
    *fees for spouse/eligible dependents cannot be prepaid and are subject to change - please contact the cemetery for specific rules and regulations regarding the fee schedule.
    

Is Pre-Registration Available?

Yes. This assures your eligibility in advance and eliminates delays in providing military documents to the cemetery.

Use this form to pre-register.

How are Committal Services Handled?

The cemetery can do seven committal services a day, Monday ‑ Friday, on a first-come first-served basis. Committal service times are on the hour starting at 9am ending at 3pm. The 3pm committal time is for cremated remains only.

Times:	9:00 a.m.
	10:00 a.m.
	11:00 a.m.
	12:00 p.m.
	1:00 p.m.
	2:00 p.m.
	3:00 p.m. (cremation only)
All committal times are limited to 20 minutes.

Committal services are held in our committal service building. The remains are left in state until the family has left the cemetery, and then interred by cemetery personnel. Graveside services are not permitted. All interments are made immediately after the committal service.

Are Military Honors Provided?

Yes. The cemetery office can arrange Military Honors, to include rifle volley, taps, flag folding and presentation. Clergy services and other arrangements are the responsibility of the family or family representative. These arrangements are normally coordinated through your chosen funeral director.

More information

How do I contact the Cemetery?

Mail:	Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery
	15550 Hwy 115
	Little Falls, MN 56345
Phone:	(320) 616-2527
FAX:	(320) 616-2529
E-mail:	dswantek@integra.net

More questions?

See Frequently Asked Questions

Related resources:

Bronze Star Markers

Update:

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs now offers a medallion to mark the graves of deceased Veterans. This new burial benefit will replace current bronze star markers available through the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs for private burial sites. MDVA will no longer offer bronze star markers. 

More information

Burial Allowance Benefits

In certain circumstances, a Burial Allowance is available from the Veterans Benefits Administration. The National Cemetery Administration does not provide these benefits.

More information

Burial Flags

A United States flag is provided, at no cost, to drape the casket or accompany the urn of a deceased veteran who served honorably in the U. S. Armed Forces. It is furnished to honor the memory of a veteran’s military service to his or her country.

More information

Military Funeral Honors

Upon the family's request, Public Law 106-65 requires that every eligible veteran receive a military funeral honors ceremony, to include folding and presenting the United States burial flag and the playing of Taps. The law defines a military funeral honors detail as consisting of two or more uniformed military persons, with at least one being a member of the veteran's parent service of the armed forces. The DOD program calls for funeral home directors to request military funeral honors on behalf of the veterans' family. However, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) National Cemetery Administration cemetery staff can also assist with arranging military funeral honors at VA national cemeteries. Veterans organizations may assist in providing military funeral honors. When military funeral honors at a national cemetery are desired, they are arranged prior to the committal service by the funeral home.

More information:

• Dept. of Defense Military Funeral Honors website
• MN Dept. of Veterans Affairs Military Funeral Honors program
• US Veterans Administration

Nationwide Gravesite Locator

Search for burial locations of veterans and their family members in VA National Cemeteries, state veterans cemeteries, various other military and Department of Interior cemeteries, and for veterans buried in private cemeteries when the grave is marked with a government grave marker.

More information

Presidential Memorial Certificates

A Presidential Memorial Certificate (PMC) is an engraved paper certificate, signed by the current President, to honor the memory of  honorably discharged deceased veterans.

More information