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Information and Application
The Onondaga County Veterans Memorial Cemetery is owned, operated and maintained by Onondaga County Department of Parks & Recreation. Administrative processing to apply for burial is accomplished through the Veterans Service Agency.
The Vets Cemetery is located in the Town of Onondaga, on Howlett Hill Road, @400 yards west of the Harris Road junction. It is next to the Loomis Hill Cemetery. The Vets Cemetery consists of 52 acres of grounds. The first section was opened in 1986. There is a Committal Chapel/Administrative Office. All burials are conducted through the Committal Chapel. There are no graveside services permitted.
The Onondaga County Legislature authorized the Veterans Memorial Cemetery be created as a “self-sustaining” entity. The current fee is $500.00, each, for burial of a deceased Veteran, spouse or minor dependent. A payment in advance secures “Guaranteed Right To Burial”.
The fee covers opening and closing of the grave, setting of the headstone and perpetual maintenance. The only headstone authorized is the flat, gray granite type furnished by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs. If a Veteran is ineligible for a government marker or a non-Veteran spouse desires a separate marker the same design must be followed. No other designs are permitted. Local monument companies can furnish cost information.
The Vets Cemetery is open for any Veteran who is discharged; separated from active duty under Honorable Conditions; retired from the armed forces or a member of the Reserve Components; who is currently a resident of Onondaga County. If not currently a resident the applicant must have resided in Onondaga County for a prior period of 5 years. Evidence required for military service is a discharge, DD-214, or statement of service from a Reserve Component Commander. Evidence of prior residency varies and most is acceptable.
The Vets Cemetery is open to spouses of Veterans who will be, or are, buried there. A marriage document establishes the relationship. Minor children and those dependents certified by a physician to be or have been incapable of self-support prior to the age of 18 for either physical or
mental causes are also eligible. The physician's statement establishes this eligibility. In any circumstance the Veteran must be buried or pre-register in the Vets Cemetery.
Should you desire to apply, please contact this agency. Applications are done using a computer program that allows access by this agency between the hours of 9:00 AM and 3:00PM. The application process takes approximately forty-five (45) minutes, so plan to arrive by 2:15 PM if you come in the afternoon. Certain accommodation may be made for former county residents unable to come personally due to geographic distances. A funeral director or a representative may also appear on behalf of a Veteran and/or eligible spouse to make application.
Bring the military documentation and, if required, marriage certification. Payment may be made check or money order in the amount of $500.00, each, made payable to: “Treasurer - Onondaga County”. A receipt will be provided with a copy of the fully annotated application.
Please note: If you are sending a representative to act on your behalf, insure all information such as next-of- kin names, addresses and telephone numbers are available to your representative. Dates of birth and Social Security Numbers are also required.
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