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  4. The National Military Cemetery

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-2

Download the National Military Cemetery Planning E-Book today!

The National Military Cemetery at Beechwood contains four sections, spread throughout the cemetery. These include two Commonwealth War Grave sections, one section managed by Veterans Affairs Canada (Section 27) and the newest section, the National Military Cemetery of the Canadian Forces (Section 103), managed by the Department of National Defence. This page deals primarily with Section 103, but for more information on burial in Section 27, please visit our Veterans and War Dead page.

Honouring those who have served Canada

Section 103 is the National Military Cemetery of the Canadian Forces, honouring the men and women who served Canada. The section was expanded by 2 hectares in 2003 and now contains 12,000 spaces for both traditional interments and cremated remains.

The Beechwood Cemetery Foundation helped establish the National Military Cemetery in 2007 to create a link between those who died on active service, whose death was related to service, or who served honourably and who wanted to rest with their peers in the grounds of Sections 19, 27, 29 and 103.

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

Eligibility includes:

  • Currently serving and honourably released Regular and Reserve Force members of The Canadian Forces
  • Members honourably released from a former Canadian Service
  • Canadian Veterans of the World Wars or Korean War, and the Canadian Merchant Navy

One family member may also be interred in the same plot as the service member. Verification of entitlement will be established in every case through the application process.

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: 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) 

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.

Special Burial Services

If desired, a military presence can be made available at graveside service when conducted within Section 103. Subject to availability, the Honour Guard, Padre, Bugler or Piper can be provided at no charge.

For no-obligation inquiries, contact one of our Beechwood liaisons at Beechwood, Funeral, Cemetery & Cremation Services:

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The Beechwood Cemetery Foundation operates on a not-for-profit basis and is not publicly funded. We need your support to fund the diverse community projects and programs that assist in maintaining Beechwood as a National Historic Site and the National Cemetery of Canada, ensuring that this historic property will be maintained in the highest order for centuries to come.

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  • Email info@beechwoodottawa.ca
  • Location 280 Beechwood Ave.,
    Ottawa, ON K1L 8A6
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