Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery
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Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery
10175 Rawiga Road, Rittman, OH 44270
(330) 335-3069
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History
In 1987 the Department of Veterans Affairs identified the
Cleveland area as one of 10 areas of the country most in need of burial
space for veterans, based upon veteran population. In 1993, a 274-acre
site was selected on Rawiga Road in Rittman. Burial operations begain on
June 19, 2000.
The initial construction developed approximately 60 acres
and includes 15,900 full-casket gravesites, 3,000 sites for cremated
remains, an entrance area, an administration/maintenance complex and two
committal shelters.
The cemetery was officially designated the Ohio Western
Reserve National Cemetery, after the part of the Northwest Territory
formerly known as the Connecticut Western Reserve.
Eligibility
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. Others
include veterans 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 hte veteran or active duty member is not interred in a National
Cemetery; and minor dependent children of an eligible active-duty member
or veteran who are unmarried and under the age of 21.
Spousal Interment
If the spouse of an eligible veteran passes away before
the veteran, the spouse may be interred at a National Cemetery. Space
for the veteran will be reserved in the same site.
Costs
There is no charge for any service provided by a National
Cemetery, including gravespace, a graveliner, the opening and closing of
the grave, an upright headstone or flat marker and all perpetual grave
care.
Arrangements
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.
