The National Military Cemetery
To the men and women of Canada’s Armed Forces who have served their nation with distinction in war and in peace
National Military Cemetery of the Canadian Armed Forces
Located within Beechwood Cemetery, the National Military Cemetery of the Canadian Armed Forces stands as a place of national remembrance dedicated to honouring the men and women who have served Canada in uniform.
The National Military Cemetery is composed of four distinct military sections located throughout the cemetery grounds. These include two Commonwealth War Graves sections, Section 27, historically managed in partnership with Veterans Affairs Canada, and Section 103, the National Military Cemetery of the Canadian Armed Forces, administered in collaboration with the Department of National Defence.
While military remembrance is woven throughout Beechwood Cemetery, this page focuses primarily on Section 103. For information regarding burial within Section 27 and the Field of Honour, please visit our Veterans and War Dead page.
Honouring Those Who Served Canada
Section 103 serves as the National Military Cemetery of the Canadian Armed Forces and is dedicated to honouring members of the Canadian Armed Forces, Veterans, and those who served Canada with honour and distinction.
Expanded by more than two hectares in 2003, the section now provides approximately 12,000 spaces for traditional burials and cremated remains.
Established through a partnership between the Department of National Defence and the Beechwood Cemetery Foundation, the National Military Cemetery was formally dedicated in 2007. It was created to ensure that those who died while serving Canada, whose deaths were connected to service, or who served honourably during their lifetime, would have the opportunity to rest among their peers within Canada’s national place of military remembrance.
The National Military Cemetery builds upon Beechwood’s long-standing military heritage, which includes the historic military sections of 19, 27, and 29.
Central Monument
The central monument of Section 103 is dedicated to the men and women of the Canadian Forces who served our country with honour and distinction. The monument is located at the top of a ceremonial walkway, and is flanked by two flagpoles; one flies the Ensign of the Canadian Forces and the other flying the Canadian flag.
Tri-Service Monument
At the end of the walkway is the Tri-Service Monument, unveiled on 28 June 2004. The monument has three sides, each one devoted to one branch of the Canadian Armed Forces: the Royal Canadian Navy, the Canadian Army and the Royal Canadian Air Force. Inscribed in each side is a poem for each branch of the Canadian Armed Forces: the Naval Hymn, In Flanders Fields and When I Think of Famous Men.
Eligibility for Interment
Eligibility for interment within the National Military Cemetery includes:
- Currently serving members of the Regular or Reserve Force honourably serving Canada
- Honourably released members of the Canadian Armed Forces or former Canadian military services
- Veterans of the First World War, Second World War, and Korean War
- Members of the Canadian Merchant Navy
In addition, one eligible family member may be interred within the same plot as the service member.
All eligibility is reviewed and verified through the official application process administered by the Department of National Defence.
Application and Registration
Click here to obtain a PDF of the application. Forward completed applications to the DND at the below address. If approved, you will be notified and authorized to make arrangements directly with the National Military Cemetery at Beechwood.
The Centre
c/o Director of Casualty Support Management
National Defence Headquarters
Major-General Georges R Pearkes Building
101 Colonel By Drive
Ottawa, Ontario, K1A 0K2
Email:Â NationalMilitaryCemetery-CimetiereMilitaireNational@forces.gc.ca
Phone: 1-800-883-6094
Visit DND Website | Operating Policies of the National Military Cemetery of the Canadian Forces | NMC Application Form (PDF)Â
Arrangements
Beechwood can assist in all types of pre-arrangements or at time-of-need arrangements. Beechwood can also help coordinate the purchase, production and installation of a headstone adhering to specifications pre-determined by DND. Please note that graves cannot be pre-selected, and are not allocated on the basis of rank, service, regiment or personal preference.
Special Commemorative Services
To honour the memory of our Canadian service personnel, an urn or casket can be placed on the large, black granite plinth in the Hall of Colours, an area for the exclusive use of military members and veterans. Through the Hall’s beautiful memorial stained-glass window, donated by the Canadian Military Chaplains’ Association, sunlight shines on the plinth and the laid-up Colours of Canada’s Military Regiments. Families, colleagues and friends may visit the urn or casket prior to interment in the National Military Cemetery.
Military Honours and Burial Services
Where requested and subject to availability, military ceremonial elements may be provided during graveside services held within Section 103.
These may include:
- Honour Guard
- Military Chaplain (Padre)
- Bugler
- Piper
These ceremonial honours are provided in recognition of service to Canada and are coordinated in partnership with the Canadian Armed Forces.
Contact Beechwood
For information regarding eligibility, arrangements, preplanning, or military services at the National Military Cemetery of the Canadian Armed Forces, please contact Beechwood Funeral, Cemetery and Cremation Services.