UPDATE – 4/23/2025 – State Issues Statement After Removing Memorial Benches At Cheltenham Veterans Cemetery
CHELTENHAM, Md. — Families with loved ones buried at Cheltenham Veterans Cemetery are speaking out after discovering that memorial benches placed at gravesites were removed without notice, sparking confusion across the community.
The situation first came to light through a widely shared Facebook post from a family who visited their grandparents’ grave, only to find a custom bench missing. That post revealed the removals were not isolated, and dozens of similar benches had vanished from nearby sections.
According to the Maryland Department of Veterans and Military Families, the removals were triggered by a recent federal compliance audit. Under federal regulations, only one official memorial is permitted per veteran, typically a headstone. Benches are considered secondary memorials and, during the latest inspection, were also flagged as potential safety hazards due to wear and age.
Officials stated that many of the benches had deteriorated from decades of exposure to the elements. The last memorial bench was accepted in 2013, meaning some benches were only 12 years old while others had stood for nearly 30 years. Approximately 60 benches have been removed to date.
Families said on social media that cemetery staff expressed their apologies and shared that the order came from the federal level. Many were upset that no advance notice was provided, and some benches—especially those without plaques or identifying markers—were taken without allowing families to retrieve them.
The cemetery has paused further removals and is now working to notify families.
Federal compliance audits occur every three years, and Cheltenham’s most recent inspection prompted the cemetery to take immediate action to bring the grounds into alignment with national standards. Officials confirmed that vases are not considered secondary memorials and will not be removed.
Cheltenham Veterans Cemetery is among five cemeteries operated by the state. While not all locations had benches, those that do are undergoing similar removals to ensure continued eligibility for partial federal funding.
The BayNet contacted Cheltenham Veterans Cemetery and was referred to the communications office at the Maryland Department of Veterans and Military Communications, Outreach, and Advocacy division, where these details were confirmed.
A formal press release is expected soon. Families with questions are encouraged to call Cheltenham Veterans Cemetery at 301-372-6398.
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