National cemeteries to resume operations

The Vancouver Barracks National Cemetery will resume committal services after a three-month hiatus due to COVID-19.

While the cemetery remained open for visitors, it paused new committal services and military honors as of March 23. The services will resume today at both the Vancouver cemetery and at Willamette National Cemetery just outside of Portland.

Families with interments scheduled on or after June 9 will be offered the option of a committal service. Military funeral honors, provided by the Department of Defense and volunteer honor guards, will be based on local availability.

Services will be limited to 10 family members and guests, in accordance with guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Management of the Vancouver cemetery was recently switched over from the Department of the Army to the Department of Veterans Affairs. The change eased restrictions on who can be laid to rest at the site, but also restricted new burials to cremated remains, rather than casketed internments. Family members of existing veterans at the cemetery are an exception.

To make burial arrangements at Willamette or Vancouver Barracks National Cemeteries, contact the National Cemetery Scheduling Office at 800-535-1117.