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Cemetery grounds are open daily from 7:30 a.m. until sunset.
Administration Office Hours
8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays
Closed on state holidays
Location Information
Iowa Veterans Cemetery at Van Meter
34024 Veterans Memorial Drive (R16)
Adel, Iowa 50003
Phone (515) 996-9048
Fax (515) 996-9102
General Information
Please take note of the following items.
Graveside services are not allowed due to safety concerns. This permanent structure is a space for conducting the equivalent of a graveside service.
Gravesites may be visited after the committal service when it is declared safe by cemetery staff. This usually takes about two hours for caskets and 15 minutes for urns. Sites at the columbarium wall may be visited immediately after a committal service.
A temporary marker is placed on a grave until the permanent marker is in place.
The family will be notified when the permanent marker is installed at the gravesite. This is usually about 60 days after burial.
Graves are filled and leveled at the time of burial. Appearance might be imperfect until growing conditions allow for grass to planted and get established.
Smoking is not allowed on cemetery property. Sport or recreation activities, public parties, picnics,, driving off paved road, and letting pets run loose are also banned.
The National Cemetery Administration offers an online gravesite locator service. It's available on smartphones and other electronic devices.
Need to find a grave in the cemetery? An electronic grave locator is available every day in the entrance hall of the Administration Building.
Donated burial flags are accepted and displayed during special holidays and events as part of the "Avenue of Flags".
The cemetery accepts private donations for memorials and beautification projects. Donations are tax deductible. The donor slot is in the entrance hall of the Administration Building.
Cemetery Regulations
Please follow the regulations below to help keep the grounds looking neat and honorable.
Flowers can be placed on graves at any time. They will be removed when they wilt and don't look good.
Artificial flowers can be placed on graves the week before and the week of Memorial Day. They can also be added between October 1st and March 31st.
Plastic vases and stakes are provided by the cemetery. They are available in bins around the grounds. Breakable vases are not allowed.
Small flags up to 12" X 18" may be placed at grave sites. Larger flags and medallion-style holders aren't allowed.
Nothing may be attached to headstones or niche covers.
The following items inconsistent with the dignity of the cemetery will be removed from grave sites - (1) statues, (2) lights, (3) breakable objects, (4) grave blankets, (5) shepherds crooks, (6) stuffed animals, (7) pinwheels, (8) balloons etc.
Plantings are not allowed at grave sites or the columbarium wall.
These services are held the 2nd or 3rd Saturday of December at 11:00 a.m. but subject to change. Check the IVA events calendar or visit Wreaths Across America website for current dates.
