GRAVESITES ARE STILL AVAILABLE in the West Point Cemetery. There also is a columbarium (a gift from a member of the Class of ’42) located in the lower level of the Old Chapel. As of July 2004, there are still 142 niches available.

Eligibility for interment or inurnment at the USMA Cemetery is restricted. Any requests for exception to policy must be made in writing to the Office of the Superintendent, USMA.

EXCEPTS FROM REGULATIONS FOR BURIAL IN THE USMA CEMETERY. There are two options: interment and inurnment in the columbarium. There is still space available for interment in the USMA Cemetery. The following regulations apply to both.

Interment/Inurnment
Regulations for the USMA Cemetery
Eligibility for Interment/Inurnment
at the USMA Cemetery, West Point, NY

A graduate of the United States Military Academy, provided he/she also:

1. Served in the U.S. Corps of Cadets as a U.S. citizen, was also a citizen at the time of death, and subsequent service in the Armed Forces of the United States, if any, terminated honorably, or

2. Served on active duty in the Armed Forces of the United States and such service terminated honorably, or

3. Served during time of war in the Armed Forces of a nation allied with the United States during such war, provided he/she was a United States citizen at the time of entry into such service, at time of death, and provided such military service terminated honorably.

   1. Members of the Armed Forces of the United States, including cadets, who are on active duty at USMA at time of death.

   2. Members of the Armed Forces of the United States who were on active duty at USMA at time of retirement or whose last duty station was USMA prior to retirement for physical disability and, except for any “Professors, USMA,” prior to 1 July 1992. For the purposes of this regulation, personnel (not otherwise eligible) transferred from another duty station to the Medical Holding Detachment, Keller Army Hospital, for medical boarding and medical disability retirement are not, regardless of length of time at USMA, considered to be eligible for interment/inurnment at the USMA Cemetery and Columbarium.

4. Persons having bona fide reservations assigned by the Superintendent under previous regulations and policies. However, eligibility of members of families of plot assignees is not automatic and must be determined on an individual basis.

5. The wife, husband, widow, widower, minor child and dependent unmarried child (including those who have never been married, widows, and divorcees) of eligible persons enumerated . . . above. Persons who, at the time of their death, are dependents of active duty military personnel assigned to the United States Military Academy are also eligible for burial . . . Eligibility of wife or husband, established in this paragraph, is terminated by divorce. Likewise, eligibility of widow or widower, established by this paragraph, is terminated by remarriage to a non-eligible person.

6. Exception to Policy for Interment/Inurnment. Requests for exceptions to policy will be in writing and addressed to the Superintendent, United States Military Academy, West Point, NY 10996-5000.

7. Assignment of Gravesites/Niches. Gravesites/niches are assigned by the Memorial Affairs Office in accordance with the following criteria:

   1. Gravesites

      1. Gravesites will be assigned for burial of eligible personnel when the actual need for interment/inurnment arises. The transfer of assigned site by one assignee to another is prohibited.

      2. Only one gravesite will be assigned for eligible members of a family.

      3. Once an initial interment is made in a gravesite, each additional interment/inurnment of eligible members must be made in the gravesite.

         A small, white, marble headstone will be furnished and installed without cost for each interment. Standard, simplified inscription includes name, rank, date of birth, date of death, war service record, and religious emblem (if desired).

         A request must be made and approved for private monuments. Any unusual sizes or designs are subject to review by the West Point Museum, Historical and Memorialization Committee.

         The next of kin are responsible for all costs concerning the placement of private monuments.

      4. Gravesite reservations are no longer accepted for the USMA Cemetery. Constrained space precludes gravesite assignment in advance of actual need. Previously granted reservations will continue to be honored unless expressly declined, in writing, by reservation holders.

   2. Inurnment

      1. The USMA Cemetery now has a 432-space columbarium located under the Old Cadet Chapel.

   3. Niches

      1. Niches will not be reserved. Niches will be assigned for inurnment of eligible personnel when the actual need for inurnment arises.

      2. Niches will be assigned in consecutive order, right to left, top to bottom, beginning with the upper right niche of the columbarium. The transfer of assigned niche by one assignee to another is prohibited.

      3. One liner will be placed in one niche and the niche next to the one used will be utilized by the surviving spouse or any dependent children.

      4. The liners must be purchased in advance. [See company address below.] An 8" internal liner with cover currently costs $25.

   4. Markers

      A bronze niche marker will be furnished for each inurnment without cost. The rank, name, date of birth, and date of death along with the class year is inscribed on the marker.

There are no cemetery charges at the West Point Cemetery. A standard headstone is provided as well. However, burials of any type, including those at West Point, are expensive due to the other necessary arrangements that are covered in this article. Costs vary significantly from funeral home to funeral home.

It is the family’s responsibility to make initial arrangements with their local funeral home. The funeral director will assist the family in choosing and in making arrangements with a funeral home in the West Point vicinity.

To make arrangements with the West Point Cemetery, either the family or the funeral director should contact:
 
Dan Londot
Memorial Affairs Officer/Cemetery Administrator
Memorial Affairs Office, Bldg. 329
West Point, NY 10996
 
845 938-2504
Dan.Londot@usma.edu

Mr. Londot assists the family in arranging a date for burial or inurnment; contacts the West Point chapel for services; and contacts military personnel such as the band and escorts. The following types of funeral services can be provided:

1. Chapel service and then onto gravesite for a committal service or a graveside committal service only.

2. For military members, funeral honors that are either full or modified:

   1. Full Honors — firing party, the colors, detachment from USMA Band.

   2. Modified Honors — firing party, the colors, bugler and drummer.

3. If services are held in the chapel prior to being inurned in the columbarium, the gravesite committal service is held to the left of the chapel at the Margaret Corbin site. Services are not held in the columbarium.

In addition to funeral honors for military members, representatives from the Association of Graduates and from the Superintendent’s office attend the service. The family is not responsible for coordinating these representatives.

The family will be charged by their local funeral home for preparation of the remains (approximately $1,000). Caskets and alternative containers range in price from $100 to $18,000. The local funeral director also will charge professional fees for his services ($500 and upward, depending on the services required).

If the family wishes to have all services in the West Point area funeral home, it is possible to ship the remains directly to that home for preparation. There are West Point area funeral homes that offer special rates to USMA graduate families; please inquire when calling for prices. Expect an additional charge ($500 – $1,800) for transferring of the remains from the local funeral home to the airport. There are many other options available that need to be discussed with the funeral director.

The local funeral director should make the arrangements with the mortuary affairs office of the airline flying the casket to a West Point-area airport. The closest is Stewart International Airport, located approximately 20 miles from West Point in Newburgh, NY. Using a metropolitan airport, however, means a larger transportation fee to West Point. Funeral homes consider a local transfer to encompass only a 10- to 25-mile radius. Larger airports include Newark Airport, NJ, approximately 65 miles from West Point; LaGuardia Airport, in the New York metropolitan area, approximately 65 miles away; and Kennedy Airport, approximately 75 miles away, also in NYC.

A licensed funeral director must claim the remains from the airport and transport them back to either the funeral home or to West Point. There are many funeral homes in the vicinity of West Point that are willing to accommodate military families. Your local funeral director has a listing of all licensed funeral directors in the United States.

Fees vary greatly in the WP area for receiving remains from another funeral home. Other services included are: the transfer of remains to the funeral home, securing necessary authorizations, the services of the funeral director, and local transportation to the WP Cemetery. Fees range from $495 to $830. This area is unique because local funeral homes in the vicinity can be in any of four counties, all varying greatly in cost-of-living. This variance is reflected in the fees charged.

The WP Cemetery does not require a concrete vault for the casket. If the family wishes to have one, it is the responsibility of the WP-area funeral director to make the necessary arrangements.

If the family chooses to have the remains cremated and buried in the cemetery, there are no restrictions on size and type of urn. However, should they desire the cremains to be placed in the columbarium, they must make an advance purchase of a liner for the niche. An 8" internal liner with cover currently costs $25 and can be ordered through:
 
Armento Liturgical Arts
P.O. Box 39
Buffalo, NY 14217-0039
 
716 875-2423

The cremains do not need to be handled by a funeral director in the West Point area and can be transported either through the mail or hand-delivered by the family.

Be aware that funeral directors are required by the Federal Trade Commission to send a detailed price list of the maximum prices they charge for services to the family, if requested.

There is an enormous list of options and details for the family to consider. It is best for the family to have their local funeral director shop around for the best prices. It may be wise to consider now what price range you can afford. Do not force your loved ones to make what should be objective financial decisions at such an emotional time.

FOLLOWING THE FUNERAL. In some instances, the family may arrange a reception following the funeral. There are many locations nearby that can accommodate them, including the Herbert Alumni Center, the Hotel Thayer, and the West Point Club. There also are many local restaurants available for small receptions.

Some points of contact for arranging receptions at West Point:

Herbert Alumni Center — Patty Pfanzelter, 845-446-1582
 
Hotel Thayer — 845-446-4731, ask for sales department
 
West Point Club (formerly Officers Club) — Nancy Amendola, 845-446-5545

ADDITIONAL GUIDANCE RELATED TO BURIALS AT WEST POINT

Dealing with the death of a loved one is difficult. Planning a funeral and burial can also be stressful, and if there is no advanced planning, additional stress and disappointment are possible.

The majority of the information above is extracted directly from the USMA regulation. In addition to the information relating to reception locations and points of contact, the Office of the Director of Class Support takes specific actions, as follows:

1. Classmates living in the area are contacted and notified about the funeral.

2. A member of the AOG Executive Staff attends the burial of a graduate and presents a card of condolence to the widow/widower/next of kin.

3. Continued contact is maintained with the USMA Memorial Affairs Officer.

It is important that you have as much information as possible to help you through this difficult time. The following information provides some additional information and recommendations:

Assistance from the U.S. Military Academy — The guide provides the name, telephone number, e-mail and mailing address of the Memorial Affairs Officer (MAO) who is the primary point of contact for scheduling a funeral. In addition to scheduling the funeral, reserving the chapel of your request, scheduling clergy and coordinating with the honor guard, the bugler, the military police, and the cemetery personnel, the MAO will also schedule transportation for the family from the Hotel Thayer (or the 5-Star Inn) to the Chapel/Gravesite and return, if requested. Any additional transportation requirements are your responsibility (see Transportation below). The Academy cannot assign an Aide to assist you through the funeral and burial.

Chapel/Chaplain — If you request a Chaplain from the U.S. Military Academy, the Memorial Affairs Officer will contact the Chaplain’s office and indicate your desire and reserve the Chapel. The chaplains provide support for funerals as an extension of their support to the Corps of Cadets and always do so to the best of their abilities. However, as this is an additional duty, they may not be able to provide the same extended pastoral care as the family’s local clergy. The Chaplain or a member of his/her staff will contact you to discuss the service.

Music — If you desire an organist, that request should also be communicated to the MOA, who will convey that request when the chapel, chaplain is scheduled. If you desire a vocalist, it is recommended that you contact the Organist/Choirmaster directly at 845 938-7352. While the chaplain’s and organist’s services are provided without cost, there is a charge if you request a vocalist. If any audiovisual or recording equipment (CD player, etc.) is required, that also should be requested when the chaplain or staff member in the chaplain’s office contacts you. The ability to provide such support is limited and it may be necessary to rent such equipment for your use at your cost. If a funeral is being held at some location other than West Point, we can provide sheet music for use at the service at no cost. Contact the Class Support Office at 800 232-4723, ext. 1538. CDs of the Glee Club singing traditional West Point songs also may be purchased at the AOG Gift Shop. You can purchase them online. Once you are at the website, type in “CD” in the search box at the top right corner of the page.

Note: For Catholic funerals, family members should contact the Catholic Chapel Music Director at 845 938-3544. In keeping with liturgical requirements of the church, all music in the Most Holy Trinity Chapel must be live. The Catholic Chapel Music Director and Organist work very closely with families to provide the names of local vocalists.

Transportation — Any additional transportation requirements, beyond to and from the funeral, will be your responsibility. A list of local car rental services, taxis, limo service, etc., is attached (and will be included in the guide).

Flags — A flag will be provided to the next-of-kin at West Point funerals. If a memorial service is held away from West Point, or if the burial is at another non-military location, the funeral director should have the necessary information to assure that a flag is provided. Flags can be obtained at most Post Offices or Veterans’ Affairs Offices by providing a copy of the death certificate and the DD-214.