Eligibility Requirements
There are a number of specific eligibility requirements for burial in the Cemetery and inurnment in the Columbarium. For burial in the Cemetery, Naval Academy graduates must attain flag rank while on active duty. All Naval Academy graduates are eligible for inurnment in the Columbarium.
The latest version of the USNA Instruction governing the cemetery can be found here.
Eligibility for Burial in the Naval Academy Cemetery:
- Those eligible for burial in the Naval Academy Cemetery are:
- Officers, midshipmen, or enlisted persons of the Navy or Marine Corps on active duty at the Naval Academy, Naval Station, Annapolis, or the staff of the Naval Medical Clinic, Annapolis.
- Those Naval Academy graduates who have served on active duty with the rank of Rear Admiral or Brigadier General, or senior thereto, and such others as the Secretary of the Navy or the Superintendent may designate.
- Unremarried spouse of an officer or enlisted person of the Navy or Marine Corps who is buried or eligible to be buried in the Naval Academy Cemetery. In the event the spouse remarries, his or her eligibility is automatically terminated.
- Any officer, former officer, or enlisted person of the Navy or Marine Corps whose spouse is buried in the Naval Academy Cemetery.
- Stillborn and infant children of the officers or enlisted persons on active duty at the Naval Academy; Naval Station, Annapolis; or Naval Medical Clinic, Annapolis. For purposes of this regulation, an infant is considered to be a child who has not reached 7 years of age.
- Graduates of the Air Force Academy or West Point who cross commissioned to the Navy or Marine Corps and completed 20 years of commissioned service with the rank of Rear Admiral or Brigadier General, or senior thereto.
- Distinguished Graduates of the Naval Academy.
- Individual lots in section 9 or 10 are not reserved in advance. They are assigned sequentially at the time of need.
- Nothing in these regulations will change or alter cemetery reservations and commitments made under previous regulations.
Eligibility for Inurnment at the Naval Academy Columbarium
- Those eligible for inurnment in the Naval Academy Columbarium are:
- Officers, midshipmen, or enlisted persons of the Navy or Marine Corps on active duty at the Naval Academy, Naval Station, Annapolis, or the staff of the Naval Medical Clinic, Annapolis.
- All Naval Academy graduates, who retired or were honorably discharged from the armed services or pass on active duty.
- Unremarried widow(er) of a graduate inurned. Such inurnments will be in the same niche as the spouse.
- Stillborn and infant children of officers or enlisted persons on active duty at the Naval Academy; Naval Station, Annapolis; or the Naval Medical Clinic, Annapolis. For purposes of this regulation, an infant is considered to be a child who has not reached 7 years of age. Such inurnments shall be in the same niche as the eligible sponsor.
- Unremarried widow(er) of Naval Academy graduates who have no known grave (i.e., lost at sea, etc.).
- Civilian faculty members who complete at least 30 years service at the Naval Academy and life members of the Naval Academy Alumni Association.
- Graduates of the Air Force Academy or West Point who cross commissioned to the Navy or Marine Corps and complete 20 years of commissioned service.
- Distinguished Graduates of the Naval Academy.
- Others whose inurnment is specifically approved by the Superintendent.
- There shall be no reservations for future inurnments in the Naval Academy Columbarium. Niches are assigned sequentially at the time of need.
