National Cemetery of the Alleghenies

Visitation to the National Cemetery of the Alleghenies is from dawn until dusk every day. The cemetery office is open from 8:00 a.m. till 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday except holidays.

The cemetery employees believe that the National Cemetery of the Alleghenies is not only the resting place for your loved ones, but also a place for the living to treasure their memories in a peaceful and beautiful atmosphere.

It is our goal to preserve the dignity, beauty, and serenity of these hallowed grounds at the National Cemetery of the Alleghenies. We ask your assistance in reaching and maintaining these goals by adhering to the Floral Regulations.

Staff and weather permitting, a golf cart is available to transport handicapped/disabled individuals to the grave sites Monday through Friday, 8:00a.m. to 4:00 p.m., excluding Federal Holidays.

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.

Floral Regulations — Traditional Gravesites
Only one floral arrangement that is accompanying the casket or urn at the time of burial will be placed on the completed gravesite.

Fresh cut flowers may be placed at the gravesite at any time. The National Cemetery of the Alleghenies will provide flower containers which are located in bins next to the burial sections.

Flowers will be removed from gravesites and disposed of by cemetery personnel when they become withered, faded, or otherwise unsightly or when it becomes necessary to facilitate cemetery operations such as mowing, internments or any renovations. Due to the open nature of the grounds, we cannot guarantee against theft, vandalism or the effects of nature.

To maintain the dignity of the cemetery, items left at the grave must be floral in nature and may not stand taller than the headstone. No permanent plantings are allowed. Other items, to include hazardous materials, glass, metal, toys, candles, vigil/votive lights, statues, wind chimes, balloons, pinwheels, decorative flags, breakable objects of any kind and similar commemorative items are not permitted. Unauthorized items will be removed.

Floral items and other types of decorations will not be secured to or placed on top of the headstone.

Artificial flowers will be permitted on gravesites during the period from October 10 through April 15; however, seasonal flower arrangements, such as Thanksgiving and Valentine's Day, will be removed 10 days after the holiday. Artificial flowers and potted plants will be permitted on gravesites 10 days before and 10 days after Easter Sunday and 10 days before and ten 10 days after Memorial Day.

During the Christmas Season, Christmas wreaths, grave floral blankets and other such Christmas floral arrangements will be permitted commencing December 1 and allowed to remain on the grave through January 20 of each year. Grave floral blankets may not be larger than 2 feet by 3 feet.

Floral Regulations — Columbarium
Only one floral arrangement accompanying the urn at the time of burial will be placed in the gravel area next to the appropriate niche.

Fresh cut flowers may be placed anytime. The National Cemetery of the Alleghenies will provide flower containers.

Flowers will be removed and disposed of by cemetery personnel when they become withered, faded, or otherwise unsightly or when it becomes necessary to facilitate cemetery operations such as maintenance or any renovations. Due to the open nature of the grounds, we cannot guarantee against theft, vandalism or the effects of nature.

To maintain the dignity of the cemetery, items left must be floral in nature. Other items, to include hazardous materials, glass, metal, toys, candles, vigil/votive lights, statues, wind chimes, balloons, pinwheels, decorative flags, breakable objects of any kind and similar commemorative items are not permitted. Unauthorized items will be removed.

Floral items and other types of decorations may not be secured to or placed on top of the Columbarium or niche cover.

Artificial flowers will be permitted throughout the year in the Columbarium area; however, seasonal flower arrangements, such as Thanksgiving and Valentine's Day will be removed 10 days after the holiday. Artificial flowers will be removed to perform cemetery maintenance, as required, or when they become faded or unsightly. Items removed from Columbarium will be placed in a holding area for one month prior to disposal.

Potted plants will be permitted 10 days before and 10 days after Easter Sunday and Memorial Day.

If you have any question you would like to address, please contact us at the above address. Together we can make these hallowed grounds of our Heroes and loved ones a place for everlasting rest and solitude for you and all our visitors.

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.

A columbarium is also available for cremated remains.

The cemetery staff maintains a list of Veterans Service Organization units that may be contacted by the Funeral Home or Next of Kin to arrange a military honor group in addition to or in lieu of the Department of Defense Military Funeral Honors.

More than 323,000 veterans live in western Pennsylvania; the 292-acre national cemetery will serve the veterans and their families well into the next century. The cemetery is located approximately 20 miles southwest of downtown Pittsburgh.

Note: The cemetery is actually located in Washington County, Cecil Township, Cecil, PA.

Phase I construction was completed in July 2008, and the staff moved into their new facilities in August 2008.

Yearly events include a Memorial Day Ceremony held on May 25 at 11:00 a.m. and a Veterans Day Ceremony held on Veterans Day at 11:00 a.m.

A Wreaths Across America ceremony is held each year in December. For more information about the Wreaths Across America program, date/time of the ceremony visit www.wreathsacrossamerica.org. Please note that the cemetery does not coordinate donations for the wreaths.

There is a gravesite locator (Kiosk) in the Public Information Building for those who may not know the location of a gravesite.

The cemetery has a Volunteer Program. If you want to volunteer in our Public Information Center or Administration Building, please contact us for more information.

Directions from Nearest Airport
From Pittsburgh International Airport, go East on I-376 to I-79 South. Take Exit 48 Southpointe Hendersonville, turn left at light onto Southpointe Blvd. and at the next light turn left onto Morganza Road. Go to first stop sign and turn left onto Morgan Road. Travel over Interstate 79 and the main entrance to the cemetery will be on the right.