Overview
The Alabama State Veterans Memorial Cemetery at Spanish Fort sits on over 120 acres of land and includes an administration building, maintenance facility, committal shelter, and a memorial walk. The cemetery, located in Baldwin County, was dedicated in December 2012 and began interments in April 2013. There are a total of 5,000 graves within ground crypts, traditional graves, columbarium niches, and a scatter garden. The lifespan of the entire cemetery is 100 years.
Pre-registration is available and allows a veteran and their spouse to establish, in advance, their eligibility for burial at the Alabama State Veterans Memorial Cemetery at Spanish Fort, and the future Alabama State Veterans Memorial Cemetery - North Alabama.
Contact Info
Joseph S. Buschell, Cemetery Director
Kathy Miller, Assistant Cemetery Director
Alabama State Veterans Memorial Cemetery at Spanish Fort
34904 Alabama Highway 225
Spanish Fort, AL 36527
Phone: (251) 625-1338 / (251) 626-7183
Fax: (251) 626-9204
Disclaimer
The Alabama State Veterans Memorial Cemetery receives full staffing and operational funding from the State through the Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs (ADVA), its parent state agency, and does not rely upon private individuals or fund-raising organizations for agency operations and services. However, ADVA recognizes and appreciates the voluntary contributions received from other organizations, veteran families, and individuals including The Alabama State Veterans Memorial Cemetery at Spanish Fort Foundation, Inc. (Foundation). The Foundation is a separate, nongovernment, nonprofit organization which promotes the mission of the cemetery and supports other veteran organizations, activities, and programs which promote the welfare of veterans and commemorate the honorable service provided by veterans.
Unclaimed Veteran Cremains
Alabama law, Ala. Code § 34-13-122, specifically requires funeral establishments to use their best effort to determine whether unclaimed cremated remains belong to a veteran eligible for burial in a veterans cemetery. For this purpose, the law authorizes the funeral establishment to release identifying information to the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, the Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs (ADVA), or to a veterans service organization or a nonprofit organization approved by the ADVA.
Veterans service organizations and nonprofit organizations seeking approval shall submit a formal request letter to the ADVA, along with evidence of their nonprofit status and any information that demonstrates their mission. Requests will be considered by the ADVA Commissioner for approval. Request should be mailed to the Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs, PO Box 1509, Montgomery, AL 636102.
In addition to the government entities authorized by law, the following organization(s) have been approved to receive identifying information for the purpose of determining eligibility:
Missing in America Project
POC: Eldon Woodie, (205) 612-9316, eawoodie@gmail.com
POC: Rich Argo, (205) 531-7641, richargo@bellsouth.net
1336 Caliston Way, Pelham, AL 35124