Clarification Regarding Future Veterans Cemeteries in Idaho

Potential Confusion Has Arisen Regarding the Proposed 2nd Idaho State Veterans Cemetery to be located in Blackfoot and the National Veterans Cemetery being built in Buhl.

Background - Proposed 2nd State Veterans Cemetery in Blackfoot, ID

In August 2012, Idaho Division of Veterans Services (IDVS) submitted the formal pre-application (forms SF-424, 424C and 424D) to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Cemetery Construction Grant Program for a Veterans Cemetery in Eastern Idaho. This placed IDVS on a Pending Priority List. As of October 1st, Idaho was ranked #27 out of 105 pre-applications, and IDVS is hopeful to obtain grant opportunity in federal FY2019, which is this coming October 2018. IDVS has 40 acres of property designated for exclusive use as a Veterans Cemetery east of the State Hospital South Cemetery parking lot. Preliminary construction costs for the proposed cemetery are estimated at $7.6 million, with approximately $6.7 million of that covered by the federal government. IDVS will use funds already set aside to cover the remaining state portion of the cost.

In preparation for a grant opportunity, we have been working with the state's Department of Public Works on a 75 to 100-year design of the Veterans Cemetery to be built in Blackfoot using the 40-acre property. The new Veterans Cemetery is expected to provide burial services for over 20,000 Veterans and their families. We anticipate our operations based on staffing to facilitate up to five funeral services a day, Monday thru Friday, and, based on the Veteran population and age demographics, roughly 12 funeral services a week could be the average.

Proposed 2nd State Veterans Cemetery Site in Blackfoot Idaho

Background - National Veterans Cemetery to be constructed in Buhl, ID

The Department of Veterans Affairs National Cemetery Administration is developing a new national cemetery in the Twin Falls area. The property was purchased in September of 2016.

The land for this new cemetery is located at 1585 East, 4150 North, Buhl, Idaho, which is 14 miles west of Twin Falls, Idaho. The new cemetery will serve more than 14,000 Veterans, their spouses and eligible family members located within the vicinity of Twin Falls, Idaho.

The new cemetery will become the first VA national cemetery in the state. Complementing the mission of the Idaho State Veterans Cemetery located in Boise. This cemetery will not be operated by the state of Idaho.

The new cemetery is a part of the National Cemetery Administration Rural Initiative program. The initiative’s primary goal is to build small national cemeteries in states without an open national cemetery. Of the 22 million Veterans nationwide, 5.3 million live in rural communities. Between fiscal years 2006-2014, there was a 7 percent increase in VA-enrollment by Veterans who reside in rural areas.

VA will construct in-ground casket and cremation burial sites, above-ground columbarium niches, a memorial wall, flagpoles, a memorial walkway, roads and other infrastructure.

Buhl VA National Cemetery Site

Timeline for Buhl VA National Cemetery