Arkansas State Veterans Cemeteries

Veterans and Members of the Armed Forces:

• Must be discharged under conditions other than dishonorable.

• Any member of the Armed Forces of the United States who dies on active duty.

• Any veteran who was discharged under conditions other than dishonorable. With certain exceptions, service beginning after Sept. 7, 1980, as an enlisted person, and service after Oct. 16, 1981, as an officer, must be for a minimum 24 continuous months or the full period for which the person was called to active duty.

National Guard or Reserve Service:

• Eligible for retirement pay at age 60; —or—

• Members called to active duty for 2 years or more, (does not have to be consecutive; HAS TO BE OTHER THAN TRAINING) or completed the full period for which they were called up.

• Members who die under honorable conditions or while hospitalized or undergoing treatment, at the expense of the United States, for injury or disease contracted or incurred while performing active duty for training.

• Members who die under honorable conditions while performing full time AGR service.

• Members who receive a Hardship Discharge while on active duty.

• Members discharged due to a service-connected disability while on active duty.

• Commissioned Officers of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Commissioned Officers of the Regular or Reserve Corps of the Public Health Service,WWII Merchant Mariners, and Philippine Armed Forces.

The Veteran’s Dependents:

• The Veteran's spouse.

• Unmarried child, (under the age of 21 or 23 if still enrolled in school); or

• A verifiable life-long dependent of the veteran.

Gravesite and Niche Locations

• Gravesite and niche locations cannot be reserved. Assignment of graves and niches are without regard to military rank, race, creed, or gender of the qualifying service member and are assigned by next available location.

• Columbarium- Niches are available for entombment of cremations. The eligibility requirements and costs are the same as full-size grave spaces. The niche covers are not big enough for the same amount of inscription as the upright headstones, so there is no space for additional inscription. Internal size is 15" H x 20" L x 10 1/2" W.

Flowers

• Fresh Flowers: Fresh cut flowers may be placed on graves at any time. Flowers will be removed from graves and disposed of by cemetery personnel when they become withered, faded, or otherwise unsightly.

• Artificial Flowers: Artificial flowers are not permitted in grass cutting areas from April 15 through October 15th. Potted plants will be permitted on graves 10 days before and 10 days after Easter Sunday only.

• Columbarium Flowers: Niche flowers may only be placed on the ground below the niches. Any items that are placed directly on the niches or columbarium will be removed and disposed of by cemetery personnel.

Holidays & Events

• Christmas Season: Christmas wreaths and floral grave blankets will be permitted from December 1 through January 14.

• Memorial Day\Veteran’s Day: Graves will be decorated on the Wednesday prior to Memorial Day and Veteran’s Day with small flags.  These flags will be removed the Wednesday after Memorial Day and Veteran’s Day and are not permitted on graves at any other time.  Only one flag per grave is permitted.

Unauthorized Decorations

• Permanent planting, statues, pictures, balloons, vigil lights, breakable items of any kind, and similar commemorative items are not permitted on graves or markers.  Upright metal grave markers (flag holders) are not permitted.  Unauthorized items will be removed and disposed of by cemetery personnel.  PLEASE DO NOT ATTACH OR PLACE ANY OBJECT ON THE MARKERS\NICHE COVERS DUE TO THE POSSIBLITY OF DAMAGING THEM.

Prohibited Activities

• Loitering; soliciting; littering; cutting of trees, shrubs, grass, or other plantings; allowing pets to run loose; releasing of birds or balloons; recreational activities such as fishing, hunting, jogging, skating, bicycling, etc.; public gatherings of a partisan nature.

Removed Items & Retrieval Policy

• In order to remain responsive to the public, artificial flowers and other commemorative or religious items that are placed on graves in violation will be collected by cemetery personnel and placed in an inconspicuous holding area. Such items will be held for a period of one (1) month prior to disposal. Within that month period, assistance will be given to families for retrieval of the tributes, if requested. Please note that the cemetery is not responsible for items left on graves.

Arkansas National Guard Military Funeral Honors Program:
1-866-280-7542
Fax: 501-212-5843

United States Marine Corps:
866-826-3628

Air Force:
501-987-6317

Navy:
877-478-3988

Coast Guard:
314-269-2321 (M-F 8am to 4pm)
314-606-6361 (after-hours number)

Army, Casualty Assistance Center, Ft. Sill, OK
580-442-4627
580-442-4547
580-442-4014
580- 442-8592
Fax: 580-442-6914