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Veterans Memorial Cemetery
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Formally dedicated on May 30, 1987, the Onondaga County Veterans Memorial Cemetery honors Onondaga County residents and family members who dedicated portions of their lives to the military and defense of our nation.
Since the first burial of decorated World War II Navy veteran Leo McInerney on June 11, 1986, the cemetery has performed services for more than 3,000 service members from the Army, Navy, Marines, Coast Guard, and Air Force, including visionary Onondaga County Legislators Jack Haley and Jim Salanger as well as legendary paratrooper/Syracuse University football coach Ben Schwartzwalder.
The 52 acre Veterans Cemetery grounds have been enhanced by additions of a Memorial Garden (1998) and enlarged Chapel (2000), with recent expansion necessary to provide a fitting final resting place for veterans today and those who will serve in the future.
Eligibility
All honorably discharged veterans of military service are eligible for interment in the Onondaga County Veterans Memorial Cemetery. Veteran status must be documented.
Veterans must be or have been a resident of Onondaga County. If not a current resident, verification of prior residency of at least five years is required.
The legal spouse of the veteran is eligible with documentation verifying marriage. If the spouse is also a veteran, he or she is entitled to a separate and adjacent plot.
Dependent children of the veteran – under the age of 18 – or children with a mental or physical disability that was evident prior to age 18, are eligible. In all cases, the Onondaga County Veterans Service Agency will be responsible for determining eligibility and for maintaining appropriate records.
All committals are performed at the cemetery chapel. Operation of the Veterans Cemetery, including burials, plot assignments, burial records and care of the grounds is the responsibility of Onondaga County Parks.
Visitation Hours
The Onondaga County Veterans Memorial Cemetery is open year-round from dawn to dusk for visitation.
“Taps” is played nightly at dusk.
Cemetery staff is on duty Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm for your assistance.
Burials may be scheduled weekdays, plus Saturday mornings until 11:00 am.
No burials are performed Sundays, or the Thursday through Monday of Memorial Day Weekend, Independence Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day or New Year’s Day.
Contact Information
Application for purchasing of a Right - To - Burial may be made by contacting the Onondaga County Veterans Service Agency in the John H. Mulroy Civic Center at (315)435-3217.
Questions, comments or concerns contact: Cemetery Superintendent Walter F. Zelie
(315) 689-9367Veterans Memorial Cemetery Office
4069 Howlett Hill Rd, Syracuse, NY 13215
(315) 484-1564
Memorials
Indian Hill Memorial in Pompey features a 1917 stone monument honoring what was purported to be the first Catholic mass in New York State
Iroquois Memorial 1935 bronze marker at Three Rivers in Clay commemorates early Indian settlement at that site.
Hoppers Glen Memorial Park on West Seneca Turnpike contains graves of War of 1812 Captains Benjamin Branch and Henry Crouch
Butterfly Garden for Hope
Butterfly Garden for Hope along the Onondaga Lake Parkway is a beautiful memorial created and maintained by Hope for Bereaved volunteers. This is a popular spot for wedding ceremonies and photos. For more information, contact Hope for Bereaved.