Yesterday, November 9, 2020, the National Cemetery Administration transmitted the following message via delivery.gov to funeral director partners in Southeast New Mexico and West Texas:
“Dear Funeral Home Directors and Staff in Texas and New Mexico,
Thank you for your patience as we continue to navigate these unprecedented times. Due to increased COVID-19 positivity rates in the local community, Fort Bliss National Cemetery in El Paso, Texas, will begin conducting direct interments only starting on Tuesday, November 10, 2020. This adjustment in operations only applies to Fort Bliss National Cemetery in El Paso, Texas.
As a matter of health and safety, committal services and the rendering of military funeral honors will not be conducted until further notice at Fort Bliss National Cemetery. Immediate family members (limited to no more than 10 individuals) of the deceased may witness the interment from the proximity of their vehicles if requested.
Those families choosing to continue with interment may schedule a memorial service at a later date where military funeral honors may be rendered. Those families wishing to postpone an already scheduled interment should contact the cemetery as soon as possible to convey their wishes.
Fort Bliss National Cemetery remains open to visitors. All guests must wear a face mask and practice social distancing of 6 feet with anyone not in their immediate household.
If you have any additional, questions please do not hesitate to contact the cemetery during operating hours at (915) 564-0201. To make burial arrangements at Fort Bliss National Cemetery or any VA national cemetery, call the National Cemetery Scheduling Office at (800) 535-1117.
Again, thank you for your patience, understanding, as we must all do our part to stop the spread of COVID-19.”
As a reminder, complete details about conducting burials during the COVID-19 pandemic can be found on the "Cremation and Burials" page of our COVID-19 Information Hub, www.nfda.org/covid19. This page has information about state and national veterans cemeteries, with links to current information about their operational status.