If you’re exploring disposition options in Texas you may have heard about the Texas State Cemetery in Austin, TX. It’s a unique final resting place that is often confused with Texas state veterans cemeteries and is very different from the many conventional cemeteries. But despite the name, the Texas State Cemetery isn’t open to every Texan – unless you just want to take a tour.
Although there are thousands of burial plots available, only a select few Texans can reserve one and be forever memorialized at the Texas State Cemetery.
What Makes the Texas State Cemetery Different
The official Texas State Cemetery is a one of a kind place. It’s located in Austin, TX not far from the state capitol and is managed by the Texas State Preservation Board.
It’s as much a historic landmark and living museum as it is a cemetery where internment still takes place. Since 1851 the cemetery has been run by the state and serves as a final resting place for the most notable individuals in Texas. That’s why some people call it “the Arlington of Texas”.
Location Details
The Texas State Cemetery is roughly 20 acres in size, which makes it much smaller than the 639-acre Arlington National Cemetery. Within the cemetery there are eight sections:
The Confederate Field: This area is strictly historical and has the graves of 2,088 Confederate veterans from Texas.
Capitol Point: This section on the far east side of the cemetery is currently vacant, but there are hundreds of designated spaces for graves.
Cenotaph Garden: There are 22 burials in Cenotaph Garden that include notable figures and their spouses as well as many cenotaphs. A cenotaph is a marker for an individual that is buried at another cemetery.
Monument Hill: This is the largest active area of the cemetery with 517 burials and many other burial plots that are within four designated sections. It is about a fourth of the cemetery, making up the entire southeast portion.
Patriot’s Hill: Located on the far west side, two of the three sections are more than half full. In total there are 545 gravesites in Patriot’s Hill.
Republic Hill: Republic Hill is one of the oldest and most famous portions of the Texas State Cemetery where Stephen F. Austin is buried.
Statesman’s Meadow: This portion is located in the middle of the cemetery. With 974 occupied burial plots, Statesman’s Meadow has very few vacant plots.
Columbarium Wall: At the eastern edge of the Texas State Cemetery there’s a huge columbarium that’s split into two sections.
Visiting Gravesites at the Texas State Cemetery
Because the cemetery is a state landmark that’s open to the public, there’s also a visitor’s center, walking paths and historical monuments onsite. You can locate a grave by name or an interactive map online prior to visiting. If you’d like to see the cemetery in general the Texas State Preservation Board offers guided tours Monday through Friday.
Burials by the Numbers
While the Texas State Cemetery isn’t as large as some other cemeteries, it does have space for 8,500 gravesites and there is the possibility of expansion. Currently there are 3,200 graves, and 1,500 burial sites have been reserved.
People from 20 different professions have been buried in the Texas State Cemetery. A significant number are veterans and state officials, however there are also artists, scientists and activists who helped shape Texas.
Who is Eligible to be Buried at the Texas State Cemetery
To be sure, the Texas State Cemetery is the most prestigious and prominent cemetery in the state. As you can imagine, many Texans would like to make it their final resting place, but that is reserved for a very limited number of people. There are actually state laws dictating eligibility.
The only people who are eligible to be buried at the Texas State Cemetery are Texans that helped shape the state’s culture and history. This includes:
- Elected state officials
- Appointed officials who served 10+ years
- Individuals who have been recognized for making significant contributions in the state
- Individuals who have been approved by the Cemetery Committee, state legislature or governor
- Spouses of approved individuals
- Some dependents of approved individuals
But simply belonging to one of the groups above doesn’t automatically mean a burial can occur. There is a formal approval process that must be followed.
How Cremated Remains Are Handled at the Texas State Cemetery
There are actually multiple internment options for an eligible individual who prefers cremation and would like a final resting place in the Texas State Cemetery. They can choose to bury their cremated remains in a plot or have them stored in a columbarium niche on the Columbarium Wall.
Each side of the Columbarium Wall has 10 bays with 9-15 niches that can hold the cremated remains of one or two people.
The Other State Cemetery: Texas Veterans State Cemeteries
The state of Texas also oversees the operation of veteran state cemeteries in conjunction with the Department of Veterans Affairs. These cemeteries are only open to military veterans that meet service eligibility requirements, their spouses and dependent children. There are both burial plots and columbarium niches available.
While these are national cemeteries they aren’t considered historic sites like the Texas State Cemetery. A unique feature of veteran state cemeteries is that they include memorial walls to honor servicemembers whose remains were never recovered.
Currently there are 10 state-operated veteran cemeteries in Texas and five national VA cemeteries. They are located in major metros like Houston and San Antonio as well as smaller areas such as Killeen and Brownsville.
Cremation.Green is a Texas-based funeral home that can help arrange death care services for notable figures, veterans and any other Texan. We’re known for providing eco-friendly disposition and compassionate care in all situations. If you’d like to know more about arranging funeral services in Texas please give us a call, text or email at any time.
