The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced today the construction of a new national cemetery in Albuquerque, New Mexico, set to begin in 2025. The cemetery will be named Albuquerque National Cemetery and will become the third national cemetery in the state.

"Albuquerque National Cemetery will serve nearly 78,000 Veterans," said Acting Under Secretary for Memorial Affairs Ronald Walters. "We are pleased to extend access to VA burial benefits for Veterans in the Santa Fe/Albuquerque area and provide them with a final resting place in honor of their service to the nation."

The name Albuquerque National Cemetery was selected after VA solicited input from local Veterans and community leaders. It adheres to Title 38 United States Code § 531, which requires VA property to be named for the geographic area where it is located.

In March 2023, VA purchased 230 acres of land adjacent to the Petroglyph National Monument, west of Albuquerque, for $2,840,706. Upon completion, the new cemetery will offer options for casketed and cremation burials. Reflecting the surrounding desert environment, the cemetery will feature water-wise landscaping with finely crushed granite as ground cover in burial sections. Similar landscaping can be found at VA’s national cemeteries in El Paso, Texas; Phoenix, Arizona; and Bakersfield, California.

VA operates 155 national cemeteries and 34 soldiers’ lots and monument sites across the nation. Over 5.4 million people — including 4.1 million Veterans from every war and conflict — are buried in VA national cemeteries.

For updates on the development and opening of Albuquerque National Cemetery or information about VA burial benefits, visit one of VA’s national cemetery locations in person or call toll-free at 800-827-1000. Additional planning resources are available on NCA’s pre-need eligibility website.