July 18, 2025 Your Source for Brentwood News

Los Angeles National Cemetery Columbarium Expansion

Los Angeles National Cemetery to hold columbarium dedication ceremony

By Sam Catanzaro

The Department of Veterans Affairs will formally dedicate Los Angeles National Cemetery’s Columbarium Expansion and provide an opportunity for Veterans, families, and community members to see the site and pay tribute to the service and sacrifice of the Veterans it honors.

The ceremony, which will include remarks by VA and elected officials, the unveiling of a dedication plaque and military honors, will take place on Saturday, October 5, 2019, 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. at the Los Angeles National Cemetery (across the street from the main entrance).

Speakers will include a Keynote by the Robert Wilkie, Secretary of Veterans Affairs, Randy Reeves, Under Secretary for Memorial Affairs. Ted Lieu, U.S. Congressman, District 33, California and actor and humanitarian Gary Sinise.

The Department of Veterans Affairs National Cemetery Administration (NCA) recently completed the first phase of its columbarium expansion project at Los Angeles National Cemetery. The cemetery closed to new burials for casketed remains in 1978. The new columbarium is an above-ground, cremation-only facility that will serve Veterans and their eligible family members the Greater Los Angeles Area for decades to come.

Construction started in September 2017 for the 4.4-acre project that will include 10,357 niches with an estimated final capacity of 90,854 niches. The first phase of the project includes a committal shelter, restrooms and a gravesite locator kiosk.

The columbarium expansion is the first project under NCA’s Urban Initiative to open.

“The Urban Initiative improves access to burial benefits in certain densely populated areas to better serve Veterans, their spouses and families. In some of the largest urban areas that VA serves – New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, the San Francisco Bay Area, and Indianapolis – the national cemeteries which still have capacity are more than 60 miles removed from the service area core,” says NCA.

“The Urban Initiative improves access to burial benefits in certain densely populated areas to better serve Veterans, their spouses and families. 

National Cemetery Administration (NCA) U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

These cemeteries inter a smaller percentage of eligible veterans than other large-city national cemeteries that are located closer to its urban core. In most cases, sites that are large enough to provide the full range of burial services over an extended period are not available. VA determined that these cities could be better served by developing space-efficient, columbarium-only cemeteries within or nearer the urban core. The nearest cemetery for Los Angeles Veterans is Riverside National Cemetery, which is approximately 80 miles away.

On October 1, 2019, the National Cemetery Scheduling Office will begin to schedule committal services in the new columbarium for services beginning October 15, 2019. The new columbarium is above- ground, cremation-only.

in News
Related Posts

Nearly $1B Secured for Refinancing of Westfield Century City Mall

July 18, 2025

July 18, 2025

The proceeds will replace a $925 million commercial mortgage-backed securities loan, originally issued by Morgan Stanley in 2023 and due...

West Coast Premiere of ‘The Opposite of Love’ Opens at Hudson Backstage Theatre

July 18, 2025

July 18, 2025

Produced by Neil Gooding Productions, behind shows like Back to the Future: The Musical, the play runs Thursdays through Saturdays at...

Study Highlights Economic Impact of Cap-and-Trade Extension in Los Angeles

July 17, 2025

July 17, 2025

Governor Gavin Newsom and legislative leaders are pushing to reauthorize the program this year, citing its role in generating 287,000...

Man Arrested in Brentwood for Impersonating Firefighter During Palisades Fire

July 17, 2025

July 17, 2025

The suspect faces at least 28 criminal counts—including 23 felonies—spanning incidents from 2023 to May 2025 Federal and local law...

Mayor Bass Hails National Guard Withdrawal as Victory for Unity

July 17, 2025

July 17, 2025

The Pentagon’s decision to reduce the troop presence follows weeks of legal challenges and public demonstrations Mayor Karen Bass celebrated...

(Video) Did You Know Emma Chamberlain’s Coffee Shop is in Century City?

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

The outpost is a first for the popular influencer Did You Know Emma Chamberlain’s Coffee Shop is in Century City?...

Tesla Seen Nearly Crashing into West LA Home After Collision

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

Footage depicted a blue Prius on the road with significant front-end damage A crash involving injuries was reported around 12:30...

DUI Checkpoints to be Conducted Across LA This Weekend

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

The LAPD selects checkpoint sites based on data indicating high incidents of impaired driving-related crashes and arrests The Los Angeles...

Dodgers to Host Back to School Bash for Fire-Affected Families

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

The free event will offer free groceries, school supplies, outfits, haircuts, medical screenings, and carnival rides The Los Angeles Dodgers...

What to Expect at This Weekend’s “Conquer The Pier 5K and 1 Mile Race/Walk” in Venice

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

Proceeds will fund community programs, youth sports, and park enhancements The Conquer The Pier 5K and 1 Mile Race/Walk will...

LA Sees Second Straight Year of Homelessness Decline, Leaders Celebrate Progress

July 15, 2025

July 15, 2025

The survey, designed by the University of Southern California, reported a 17.5% drop—the largest two-year decrease on record The Los...

Hundreds of Red-Legged Frog Tadpoles Released in Santa Monica Mountains

July 15, 2025

July 15, 2025

Once widespread in California, red-legged frogs vanished from the Santa Monica Mountains by the 1970s Nearly 600 California red-legged frog...

Federal Judge Sides with Santa Monica, Other Local Governments Against Immigration Raids

July 15, 2025

July 15, 2025

Santa Monica Mayor Lana Negrete praised the ruling, saying it reaffirmed the city’s commitment to protecting residents from unjust detention...

California Hits Two-Thirds Clean Energy Milestone

July 14, 2025

July 14, 2025

This year, clean energy has powered the state for an average of seven hours daily, with over 90% of days...

Beverly Hills Plans Major Apartment Development Near Civic Center

July 14, 2025

July 14, 2025

The site, currently holding 13 residential units, is slated for demolition to make way for the new development A proposal...