Veteran Cemeteries

Arkansas State Veterans Cemeteries

(Managed by the AR Department of Veterans Affairs)

  • Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery at North Little Rock

  • Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery at Birdeye

Arkansas Federal Cemeteries

(Managed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs)

  • Fayetteville National Cemetery

  • Fort Smith National Cemetery

  • Little Rock National Cemetery

  • National Gravesite Locator

The Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery gates are open from 6:00 a.m. until dusk. The cemetery is open every day of the year. The administrative offices are open from 7:30 am to 4:00 pm Monday through Friday. We are closed on weekends and state holidays. In order to assist the cemetery staff in maintaining the appearance of the cemetery in an appropriate manner, we ask that you review and follow cemetery regulations. Please contact our office at (501) 683-2259 if you have any questions regarding these policies. The cemetery does not assume any responsibility for damaged or missing flower arrangements.

  • Must be discharged under conditions other than dishonorable.

    Any member of the Armed Forces of the United States who dies on active duty.

    Any veteran who was discharged under conditions other than dishonorable. With certain exceptions, service beginning after Sept. 7, 1980, as an enlisted person, and service after Oct. 16, 1981, as an officer, must be for a minimum 24 continuous months or the full period for which the person was called to active duty.

  • Eligible for retirement pay at age 60; —or—
    Members called to active duty for 2 years or more, (does not have to be consecutive; HAS TO BE OTHER THAN TRAINING) or completed the full period for which they were called up.

    Members who die under honorable conditions or while hospitalized or undergoing treatment, at the expense of the United States, for injury or disease contracted or incurred while performing active duty for training.

    Members who die under honorable conditions while performing full time AGR service.

    Members who receive a Hardship Discharge while on active duty.

    Members discharged due to a service-connected disability while on active duty.

    Commissioned Officers of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Commissioned Officers of the Regular or Reserve Corps of the Public Health Service,WWII Merchant Mariners, and Philippine Armed Forces.

  • The Veteran's spouse.

    Unmarried child, (under the age of 21 or 23 if still enrolled in school); or

    A verifiable life-long dependent of the veteran.

  • Veteran's military discharge papers (DD-214 or equivalent).

    Signed cemetery pre-eligibility application.

    Marriage License (if married).

    Check for $807 (spouse and dependent only)

Interment Eligibility

Steven Veazey

Cemetery Division Director

  • ($807 for spouse or qualified dependent).

  • Upright federal government supplied headstone or niche cover.

  • Provided by funeral home

  • Military Funeral Honors must be arranged and coordinated by the Funeral Home Director and/or the family. The Arkansas Department of Veteran Affairs and the Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery do not conduct or arrange these services.

  • Item description

Interment Benefits

  • Gravesite and niche locations cannot be reserved. Assignment of graves and niches are without regard to military rank, race, creed, or gender of the qualifying service member and are assigned by next available location.

    Columbariums

    Niches are available for entombment of cremations. The eligibility requirements and costs are the same as full-size grave spaces. The niche covers are not big enough for the same amount of inscription as the upright headstones, so there is no space for additional inscription. Internal size is 15" H x 20" L x 10 1/2" W.

  • Fresh Flowers: Fresh cut flowers may be placed on graves at any time. Flowers will be removed from graves and disposed of by cemetery personnel when they become withered, faded, or otherwise unsightly.
    Artificial Flowers: Artificial flowers are not permitted in grass cutting areas from April 15 through October 15th. Potted plants will be permitted on graves 10 days before and 10 days after Easter Sunday only.
    Columbarium Flowers: Niche flowers may only be placed on the ground below the niches. Any items that are placed directly on the niches or columbarium will be removed and disposed of by cemetery personnel.

  • Christmas Season: Christmas wreaths and floral grave blankets will be permitted from December 1 through January 14.
    Memorial Day\Veteran’s Day: Graves will be decorated on the Wednesday prior to Memorial Day and Veteran’s Day with small flags.  These flags will be removed the Wednesday after Memorial Day and Veteran’s Day and are not permitted on graves at any other time.  Only one flag per grave is permitted.

  • Permanent planting, statues, pictures, balloons, vigil lights, breakable items of any kind, and similar commemorative items are not permitted on graves or markers.  Upright metal grave markers (flag holders) are not permitted.  Unauthorized items will be removed and disposed of by cemetery personnel.  PLEASE DO NOT ATTACH OR PLACE ANY OBJECT ON THE MARKERS\NICHE COVERS DUE TO THE POSSIBLITY OF DAMAGING THEM.

  • Loitering; soliciting; littering; cutting of trees, shrubs, grass, or other plantings; allowing pets to run loose; releasing of birds or balloons; recreational activities such as fishing, hunting, jogging, skating, bicycling, etc.; public gatherings of a partisan nature.

Rules and Regulations

In order to remain responsive to the public, artificial flowers and other commemorative or religious items that are placed on graves in violation will be collected by cemetery personnel and placed in an inconspicuous holding area. Such items will be held for a period of one (1) month prior to disposal. Within that month period, assistance will be given to families for retrieval of the tributes, if requested. Please note that the cemetery is not responsible for items left on graves.

Steve Veazey, a retired Command Sergeant Major with the Arkansas National Guard, has been promoted to Cemeteries Division Director for the Arkansas Department of Veterans Affairs (ADVA) effective January 14, 2025.

Veazey joined ADVA in May 2023 as Assistant Director of the Veterans Service Officer Division following a long career in the Army National Guard.

“This is such an awesome honor for me to be able to lay a veteran to their final resting place and take care of their family at the same time. Who could ask for a better job than that?” Veazey said.
Veazey joined the Army National Guard in 1979 and graduated from boot camp with honors at Fort Benning, Georgia. He returned to Arkansas, where he served in every rank, beginning as a private and advancing to Command Sergeant Major.

In 2001, he deployed to Bosnia as First Sergeant, Delta Company, 1-153rd Infantry. He was promoted to Command Sergeant Major in 2003 and deployed to Iraq. In 2007, he was called upon again to serve in Iraq as the 39th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (BCT) Sergeant Major.

Veazey assumed the role of the State Command Sergeant Major for the Arkansas National Guard in 2011, overseeing the welfare of 7500 soldiers and the well-being of their dependents.

“My prior experience gives me a great toolbox for helping families with empathy and patience so I can understand their grief and frustrations,” Veazey said.

His awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, two Bronze Stars, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Combat Infantryman Badge, and several others.

Veazey lives in Sheridan with his wife of 43 years, Leanna. They have two kids, seven grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. He is a member of East Union Baptist Church.

Eligibility

Family Info Sheet

Pre-Eligibility Data

Monument Data

Emblems

Interment Form

Cremation

Once filled out, forms can be emailed HERE

Contacts

Arkansas National Guard Military Funeral Honors Program:
1-866-280-7542
Fax: 501-212-5843

United States Marine Corps:
866-826-3628

Air Force:
501-987-6317

Navy:
877-478-3988

Coast Guard:
314-269-2321 (M-F 8am to 4pm)
314-606-6361 (after-hours number)

Army, Casualty Assistance Center, Ft. Sill, OK
580-442-4627
580-442-4547
580-442-4014
580- 442-8592
Fax: 580-442-6914