Fort Sheridan National Cemetery

Cemetery policies are conspicuously posted and readily visible to the public.

Three floral arrangements accompanying the casket or urn at the time of burial will be placed on the completed grave.

Fresh cut flowers may be placed on graves at any time of the year. They will be removed when they become unsightly or when it becomes necessary to facilitate cemetery operations such as mowing.

Artificial flowers will be permitted on graves during the period of October 1 through April 1, and will be removed as soon as they become unsightly. Holiday wreaths or blankets are permitted on graves during the holiday season beginning December 1. All Holiday decorations will be removed on Martin Luther King Day.

Permanent plantings, statues, vigil lights, breakable objects and similar items are not permitted on the graves. The Department of Veterans Affairs does not permit adornments that are considered offensive, inconsistent with the dignity of the cemetery or considered hazardous to cemetery personnel. For example, items incorporating beads or wires may become entangled in mowers or other equipment and cause injury.

No items such as stickers or balloons may be attached to a headstone or marker at any time.

Permanent items removed from graves will be placed in an inconspicuous holding area for 30 days prior to disposal. If not retrieved by donor, they are then governed by the rules for disposal of federal property.

Please exercise caution if placing personal, sentimental or valuable items on gravesites. Fort Sheridan National Cemetery is not responsible for any items placed on gravesites and cannot replace or reimburse items that have been damaged, lost or stolen. All items placed on gravesites become the property of the United States Government.

Weapons Policy
VA regulations 38 CFR 1.218 prohibit the carrying of firearms (either openly or concealed), explosives or other dangerous or deadly weapons while on VA property, except for official purposes, such as military funeral honors.

Possession of firearms on any property under the charge and control of VA is prohibited. Offenders may be subject to a fine, removal from the premises, or arrest.

Fort Sheridan National Cemetery was transferred to NCA by the Department of the Army in December 2019. Fort Sheridan served as an active Army post from 1887 to 1993. The cemetery, which was established in 1889, contains 2,354 occupied gravesites. The cemetery is administered by the Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood, Illinois.

Directions from Nearest Airport
From O'Hare Airport: Take I-90E. Take exit 44A for Keeler Ave toward Irving Park Rd/IL-19 and turn left. Merge left onto I-90W/I-94W. Keep right at the fork to continue on I-94 W and follow signs for Milwaukee/Interstate 94 W/Edens Expwy. Continue onto US-41 N (signs for Waukegan). Continue straight onto Skokie Valley Rd. Take a slight right onto S Skokie Hwy (signs for Half Day Rd/IL-22). Turn right onto Half Day Rd. Turn left onto Summit Ave. Turn right onto Old Elm Rd. Turn left onto Sheridan Rd. Turn right then turn left (cemetery will be on the right).