This information is furnished for veterans and family members for the purpose of answering questions about the new National Cemetery under construction in Medina County, Ohio. 

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

In 1987 the Department of Veterans Affairs identified the Cleveland area as one of ten areas of the country most in need of burial space for veterans based on veteran population.  In 1993 the Secretary of Veterans Affairs selected a 274-acre site in Medina County, 45 miles south of Cleveland, on Rawiga Road in Rittman.  A contract to develop the master plan was awarded to Behnke Associates, Inc., Cleveland, in September 1994.  Welty Building Company of Akron was awarded the construction contract on June 26, 1998.  Construction is scheduled to be completed within 18 to 24 months from the date of the award.  Initial burial sites 
are available. A dedication ceremony took place in October 2000.

The initial construction will develop approximately 60 acres and will include:

* 15,900 full-casket gravesites 

* 3,000 sites for cremated remains 

* cemetery entrance area 

* administration/maintenance complex 

* 2 committal shelters 

In March, 1999 the cemetery was officially designated the Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery.  The name  refers to the part of the Northwest Territory that was formerly known as the Connecticut Western Reserve, a tract of land in northeast Ohio reserved by the State of Connecticut when it ceded its claims for western lands to the U.S. Government in 1786.

The cemetery director is Jeffrey L. Teas.  Mr. Teas is the former director of Camp Nelson National Cemetery in Kentucky.  He has been with the National Cemetery System for 13 years and is a U. S. Air Force veteran.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Who is eligible to be buried in the National Cemetery?

*         Most veterans who have been discharged from active duty military service under other than dishonorable conditions are entitled to burial in a National Cemetery. 

*        There are time restrictions for enlisted personnel who began their active service after September 7, 1980 and officer personnel who entered service after October 17, 1981. They must have completed 24 months of continuous service or the full period for which called to active duty, whichever is shorter.

*        Veterans discharged due to a hardship discharge or a service-connected disability prior to completing 24 months of continuous service

*        Any member of the US Armed Forces who dies while serving on active duty 

*        Any person who has retired from the Army or Air National Guard or from the Reserves

*        The spouse of an eligible active duty member or veteran, even if the veteran or active duty member is not interred in a National Cemetery

Minor dependent children of an eligible active duty member or veteran who are unmarried and under age 21 have entitlement to National Cemetery burial.  A dependent child who has reached age 21 and is pursuing a course of instruction in an approved educational institution retains their eligibility until they reach age 23.  The veteran's or active duty member's unmarried adult children who are incapable of self-support due to a permanent disability sustained prior to reaching age 21 can be buried in the National Cemetery.  The adult child's next of kin must provide the following documents to the cemetery at the time of burial:  (a) a statement of the decedent's marital status, (b) a statement of the degree of dependency; and (c) a statement from the attending physician as to the nature and duration of the disability.

What are the costs to the family for services provided by the National Cemetery?

There is no charge for any service provided by a National Cemetery.  We provide the gravespace, a graveliner, open and close the grave and supply an upright headstone or flat marker.  The National Cemetery provides all perpetual care of the grave.

What type and size of gravesite will the cemetery provide?

One 5' X 10' or 3' X 10' casketed gravesite will be provided for the burial of the veteran and all eligible family members.  For those desiring cremation, a 3' X 3' cremation gravesite or columbarium space will be provided.  A gravesite cannot be reserved before it is needed for burial.  When death occurs and interment in the National Cemetery is authorized, the gravesite is assigned in the name of the veteran.

What type of marker is provided?

For full casket sites an upright headstone will be ordered and placed on the gravesite.  A flat marker will be used for the 3’ X 3’ in-ground cremation sites.  A decision on the type of stone to be used, granite or marble, will be made in the near future.  The columbarium sites will be marked with granite niche markers.

What is inscribed on the marker?

Mandatory items on the marker for a veteran are:  name of decedent, branch(es) of service, years of birth and death.  Optional items inscribed at Government expense may include:  religious emblem, grade, rate or rank and war service(s).  The following awards are inscribed at government expense:  Medal of Honor, Distinguished Service Cross, Navy Cross, Air Force Cross, Silver Star, and Purple Heart.  Complete month and day for dates of birth and death may be used if desired by next of kin.  Space permitting, an additional inscription is available at government expense.  Examples of additional inscriptions are terms of endearment or quotations. 

What is a graveliner and why is it used for casketed burials?

The graveliner is used to encase the casket before being placed in the ground.  The purpose of the graveliner is to minimize settlement of the grave, thereby reducing grave repair and maintenance.  The graveliner is not a sealed vault.  If the family desires to provide a vault for a casketed burial, they may do so at their expense.  The government graveliner is furnished at no expense to the family.

How does one arrange for burial in the National Cemetery?

Because there are no advanced arrangements to be made, when death occurs the next of kin of the decedent should contact a funeral home, providing a copy of the veteran's discharge document or whatever military service-related documents are available.   The funeral director will then contact the National Cemetery office to arrange interment.

The complete name of the veteran, along with military rank, service and social security numbers and any VA Claim number; dates of service; date and place of birth and death should also be furnished.  If all of this information is not available, as much as possible should be provided. Because the military service of each veteran must be verified, failure to provide the required data may result in a delay of burial.

A tentative date for the interment may be set pending verification of military service. Verification of military service is usually accomplished within two work days; however, some cases may take longer.  When verification is complete, the cemetery staff will notify the funeral director that burial is authorized.  The proposed date and time for the interment should not be announced nor should the decedent be transported to the National Cemetery until the funeral director has been notified that the interment is authorized.  

Are military honors provided by the National Cemetery?

National Cemeteries do not provide military honors, however nearby military installations may be able to provide an honor guard to render military honors.  The funeral director or the person arranging the funeral is responsible for obtaining this service.  If the honor guard from a nearby military installation is not available, local veterans service organizations, such as the Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, Disabled American Veterans, etc., may be able to provide the honors.

What are the floral regulations at the National Cemetery?

Fresh cut flowers may be placed on the graves at any time.  Temporary flower containers are available to place flowers on the grave.  Flowers will be removed from graves and disposed of by cemetery personnel when they become unsightly.  Artificial flowers and potted plants are permitted on graves 10 days before through 10 days after Easter Sunday, Memorial Day, and Veterans Day.  Artificial flowers will be permitted on graves during the period from November 1 through April 15. During the Christmas season, Christmas wreaths, potted plants, and floral blankets will be permitted from December 1 through January 20.

Where are the interment services held in the National Cemetery?

All funeral services will be held at one of 2 committal shelters, which are located away from the gravesite.  These shelters afford the family an intimate setting for the funeral service.  When the committal service is over, cemetery personnel will transport the deceased to the actual gravesite for immediate burial.