When a member separates from the Air Force, most burial benefits cease with the exception of eligibility for interment in a government cemetery. If retired, limited transportation costs for the member will be reimbursed if death occurred as a properly admitted patient to a military hospital. The same entitlement is extended to the dependent of a retired member provided they died in a military hospital as an admitted patient.

There are not normally any costs associated with the services provided by the USAFA staff when funeral services are held at the chapel and/or graveside. The standard costs borne by the next of kin are related to the services provided by the funeral home selected by the family. Such services could be costs associated with a funeral home in your local area (if not residing in Colorado Springs) and a receiving funeral home in Colorado Springs if a casket service is planned. Costs could also include preparation of the remains, casketing, professional services of the funeral director, flowers, obituary notice, donation to clergy, etc.

A phone call is placed to the Mortuary Affairs Office by either the next of kin or funeral home selected by the family. A military chaplain of the requested denomination will be contacted by the Mortuary Affairs Office and provided information such as music and scripture selections, picture and biography (if available) and any other pertinent information. The chaplain will contact the next of kin to begin arranging the funeral service. Funeral services are normally conducted between the hours of 9:00 and 2:00, Monday through Friday, excluding Federal holidays.

The USAFA Mortuary Affairs Office hours of operation are currently 6:30 to 3:30; subject to change and depending upon security threat.

We are unable to reserve gravesites before the need arises. However, when a death occurs, the family can request a specific location at the cemetery for interment.

Flat, bronze markers are provided for each military member and eligible family member by the Veteran's Administration at no cost to the family. The Mortuary Affairs Office places the order, receives the marker and gives to the cemetery caretaker for installation.

Upon request by the next of kin, the Mortuary Affairs office will make arrangements with the Base Honor Guard to provide military honors to eligible veterans.

We welcome visiting clergy to officiate funeral services. A U.S. Air Force Academy chaplain is made available to provide any assistance that may be required.

Flowers are allowed at the Academy cemetery, to include artificial flowers, provided they can be positioned into the vase that is placed at the head of the grave upon installation of the permanent grave marker. Fresh flowers are permitted year round as long as they are not in a glass container. Flowers will not be removed unless they become unsightly.

Flowers may be delivered at any time. A directory is located at the southwest side of the cemetery so that grave sites can be easily located.

The Air Force provides at no cost to the family, a plot, vault, temporary and permanent grave marker, vase, opening and closing of the grave and perpetual care of the grave-site.

Visiting hours vary based on current security directives. Please visit our current access procedures found here. 

Ground burial
- Inside dimensions for outer burial container are
  14 1/2" x 14 1/2" x 14 1/2" x 14 1/2"
Columbarium
- Located on the east side of the Memorial Pavilion (exterior of building)
- Companion niche inside dimensions are
  9 1/2" wide x 7 3/8" high x 12 1/2" deep
    -- Designed for two urns
    -- Single 5"x7" anodized aluminum nameplate will
       be provided at no cost to the NOK
    -- Flowers/flags may not be adhered to nameplate
 

On December 14th, 2024, the U.S. Air Force Academy Cemetery relocated its Memorial Marker section to a new location south of the Memorial Pavilion.

The markers were carefully moved in their original order to ensure accuracy with cemetery records and to maintain proper memorialization.

Updated plot information can be found at the cemetery directory (northeast of the Cemetery Entrance) or here.

This relocation expands the cemetery, increasing the number of memorial plots from 240 to 530 to permit the burial of both casketed and cremated remains in the former memorial section.