Riverside National Cemetery,  22495 Van Buren Blvd. Riverside, CA 92518  - (951) 653-8417   https://www.cem.va.gov/cems/nchp/riverside.asp

Check out an amazing service, a 30 minute committal with all the shebangs and whistles.
From Patriot Guard Riders to the Bugles Across America Bugler, to the Memorial Honor Detail team to the best Bagpiper in California, all directed by Reverend Erica Andersen
(no excuses why you can’t get on our calendar today and have a service similar to this one at Riverside National Cemetery in Riverside, California)

The beginning of a service

Various pictures of cemetery

Important national cemetery paperwork

Urn stand ideas

Riverside National Cemetery is the busiest National Cemetery in the Nation, they do 48-60 funeral services a day.

*ARRIVING AT RIVERSIDE NATIONAL CEMETERY
Check in at the Info booth. The Rep will tell you what Staging Area/Cortège to go to for your service. They are located in the back of the cemetery, across the street from the outdoor Amphitheater. Follow the BLUE line or the YELLOW stars on the street to take you to the Cortège lanes #1-8. If you arrive at the cemetery before anyone is in the info booth, then you can view the billboard in front of the Cortège lanes, that will tell you where your family should line up. Cortège lanes are the lanes your Funeral Home (if applicable), next of kin, family & friends to meet & line up before your service. You will not stay here, do not park there with the intent to stay, once the Cemetery Rep has arrived, you will then follow in procession to the Committal Shelter.

*IN THE CORTÈGE STAGING AREAS
Family & friends wait for a Cemetery Representative to escort them to a Shelter to conduct the Committal Service.

*RESTROOMS
Are located in: the Office Building, pass the information booth on the right side, and the newest ones at the Cortège staging area and in the upper Amphitheater.

*FOR YOUR SAFETY
Please don't loiter in the street. Stay with your group. Vehicle traffic is unpredictable. And you don't want to be confused and leave with another group. The RED zone is for Cemetery Staff and the Honor Guard. Please don't park your car in other Cortège staging areas, stay in the area that you are designated to be in. If you don't have a Mortuary Staff Person present, the Cemetery Representative will require you to be present with:

• THE URN
• THE BURIAL PERMIT (With RNC as the location for the inurnment).
• A BURIAL FLAG FOR A VETERANS SERVICE (usually provided by the funeral home but you can pick up one with the deceased DD-214 & the death certificate at the Post Office)
• A COMPLETED 'MONUMENT INSCRIPTION REQUEST FORM.

And, I highly recommend that your entire group arrive 30 minutes early. And, for your safety of your personal items, PLEASE keep your vehicle doors locked while at the Cemetery.

​ ALTERNATE TRAVEL ROUTE:
*While traveling South on the 215 from the 60, If the 215 has heavy traffic I recommend exiting the 215 on Alessandro Blvd; turn right (west) on Alessandro Blvd. and make an immediate left (south) turn on 'Meridian Parkway' Proceed south and you'll drive straight into the Main Entrance of RNC As you enter RNC. Meridian Parkway then becomes: LE MAY BOULEVARD.

*While traveling North on the 215 from the 15, exit Van Buren Blvd, turn left onto Van Buren Blvd. Stay in left 2 lanes. Follow signs, make left into Cemetery 3 lights down.

Lodging options near RNC

Stay down the street from Riverside National Cemetery for your loved ones service.
​https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/ontowht-home2-suites-riverside-march-air-reserve-base/

Restaurants for large or small parties near Riverside National Cemetery
(Please call ahead)
March Museum event rental 951-902-5123
General Old Golf Course Restaurant - 951-697-6690 (next to the Cemetery)
Joanna’s Cafe - 951-789-8843
Maria’s Mexican Kitchen - 951-780-2034
Cactus Cantina - 951-789-0211
Romano's Pizza - 951-780-7399
Dorry’s Bar & Grill - 951-780-0388
Joe’s Italian - 951-653-3093 (Moreno Valley)

You can check the Daily Burial Schedule to confirm your service at https://www.cem.va.gov/cem/dailyburialschedule/

Got grief?
Riverside National Cemetery Chaplain Services offers the “By Your Side” Grief Support Group.
Please contact Chaplain Flanders for more information & support. Info below ⬇️

Rev. Caroline Flanders
MS Chap, MA, BCC, CT

Chaplain
National VA Chaplain Service
Riverside National Cemetery
22495 Van Buren Boulevard
Riverside, CA 92518
Tel: (951) 653-8417
Caroline.Flanders@va.gov

“Love One Another”

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