For more than a decade, the Coastal Bend State Veterans Cemetery has provided a final resting place for thousands of Texas veterans, creating a solemn sanctuary just outside Corpus Christi that honors those who served their country.
A Growing Memorial for Texas Heroes
Opened on December 14, 2011, this 55-acre cemetery serves an estimated 50,000 veterans across 15 counties along the Texas coast. As the state’s fourth veterans cemetery, the site currently holds 2,650 veteran graves, according to figures from Wreaths Across America — but has capacity for many more.
“This pristine, meticulously maintained property hosts solemn military honors impeccably scheduled and executed for each veteran,” notes Everloved, a funeral planning resource. The cemetery’s full development plan will eventually accommodate approximately 31,500 total burials.
Located at 9974 IH 37 Access Road, just northwest of downtown Corpus Christi, the cemetery operates under the Texas Veterans Land Board, a division of the Texas General Land Office, with funding support from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, as documented by The LA Group, which participated in the cemetery’s design.
Facilities and Services
What makes the cemetery stand out beyond its meticulous grounds? The 30-acre developed portion includes “a covered, open-air structure for committal services, a visitor’s center, a computer kiosk,” and other amenities, according to FindAGrave. These facilities were designed specifically to provide a tranquil place for remembrance and reflection.
For families considering the cemetery for their veterans, burial costs range from $2,150 to $3,900 for a single plot space. Total burial expenses typically start at $8,550 when including opening and closing fees, outer burial containers, grave markers, installation, and other services, as detailed by cemetery information resources.
Regional Significance
The cemetery’s establishment filled a crucial need in the Coastal Bend region, which previously lacked a dedicated veterans cemetery despite its large military population. Visitors can contact the cemetery office at (361) 248-4830 for information about interment eligibility, services, or to locate specific graves within the grounds.
Beyond serving as a burial site, the cemetery has become a focal point for community remembrance events, including annual Memorial Day ceremonies and the Wreaths Across America program, which places holiday wreaths on veterans’ graves each December.
For the thousands of military families across South Texas, the Coastal Bend State Veterans Cemetery stands as both a final tribute to those who served and a lasting reminder of the sacrifices made by generations of American veterans.
