Progress continues at Elko National Cemetery

The VA National Cemetery Administration (NCA) is building Elko National Cemetery, its first national cemetery in Nevada. In the past three months, construction crews have completed grading the property and have begun installing utilities. In October, crews have started installing pre-placed crypts for casketed burials at the cemetery and pouring the foundation for the Public Information Center and restrooms building. 

The crypts are installed with a survey grid marking so that they line up correctly within a cemetery section. These crypts will be covered with topsoil and turf until used for burial.  Crews are pouring the foundation for the building that will have restrooms and serve as the Public Information Center.  The storm drain system was installed at the site. 

Upcoming Construction Activities 

In the next three months, we expect the following construction activities: 

• Continuing to install pre-placed crypts 

• Building the Committal Shelter and structure for the restroom 

• Constructing the columbarium, a memorial wall and other cemetery elements 

• Placing perimeter ornamental fencing piers 

Project Details 

Size: 15.37 acres 

Phase 1 will include 1,045 gravesites:  

• Casketed gravesites: 364 

• In-ground cremation burials: 213 gravesites 

• Columbarium niches: 470 niches  

• Other project details: This phase of the project includes a committal shelter, restroom, a memorial wall, flagpoles, roads, and other infrastructure.  

This cemetery has space available to accommodate casket burials, in-ground cremation burials, and urn placements in columbarium niches. The cemetery has been planned and will be constructed in multiple phases. Each phase will provide 15 years of burial service. The Sacramento Valley National Cemetery will have management and oversight of Elko National Cemetery once it’s built.