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.