1. Background and Purpose
NPS-61, “Guideline for National Cemeteries,” (Release No. 1, November 1985) is replaced by
Director’s Order #61 and this Reference Manual. The purpose of this Reference Manual is to
supplement Director’s Order #61 (National Cemetery Operations) and provide guidance on the
operation of NPS-administered national cemeteries. The guidance and procedures contained
herein are consistent with NPS national cemetery regulations published at 36 CFR part12, NPS
Management Policies 2006 and Director’s Order #61.
The National Park Service currently manages 14 national cemeteries. These cemeteries are
administered to preserve the historic character, uniqueness, and solemn nature of both the
cemeteries and the historical parks of which they are a part.
National Cemeteries administered by the National Park Service are classified as either "active" or
"closed." Active cemeteries have casket or cremation gravesites available for first interments.
Closed cemeteries have no available gravesites for either casket or cremation first interments but
may inter eligible family members of previously interred individuals (See section 1 of Director’s
Order #61 and section 3.3 of this document).
There are two active national cemeteries currently administered by the NPS: Andersonville
National Cemetery and Andrew Johnson National Cemetery. Antietam, Battleground,
Chalmette, Fort Donelson, Fredericksburg, Gettysburg, Poplar Grove, Shiloh, Stones River,
Vicksburg, Yorktown and Custer National Cemeteries are closed.
2. Authority and Related Guidance
Authority to issue this Reference Manual is contained in section 4 of Director’s Order #61:
National Cemetery Operations, the NPS Organic Act (16 USC 1 through 4), and in delegations
of authority found in Part 245 of the DOI Manual. Other specific authorities and requirements
governing NPS administration of national cemeteries are found in Director’s Order #61 (National
Cemetery Operations), 36 CFR Part 12 (National Cemetery Regulations). National cemeteries
are addressed in section 8.6.10.1 of NPS Management Policies 2006.
3. Requirements and Instructions
3.1 Operation and Maintenance of National Cemeteries as Cultural Resources
National cemeteries encompass all types of cultural resources, including sites, landscapes,
structures, objects, and archival and collections items. The operation and maintenance of
national cemeteries will broadly follow NPS policy and guidance for similar classes of cultural
resources. These cultural resources will be identified and evaluated through appropriate and
relevant reports such as historic resource studies, cultural landscape reports, cultural resource
inventories, and National Register nominations. In addition, each national cemetery will have its
own legislative and administrative history or be included in the legislative and administrative
history of the historical park in which the cemetery is located.