Sarasota National Cemetery and Patriot Plaza
9810 State Road 72, Sarasota
Park hours are Monday - Friday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
The park is closed on federal holidays
Grave visitation is sunrise to sunset
(941) 922-7200
cem.va.gov/cems/nchp/sarasota.asp
This 295-acre national cemetery in the Sarasota
area is located in Sarasota County along State Road
72, approximately four miles east of Interstate 75.
In April 2007, the Department of Veterans
Affairs purchased the site from private citizens. This
cemetery includes approximately 18,200 full
casket gravesites, including 15,200 pre-placed
crypts, 9,000 in-ground cremains and approximately
7,200 columbarium niches for above-ground
cremains.
The cemetery also has a 2,800-seat ceremonial
amphitheater called the “Patriot Plaza,” donated by
The Patterson Foundation of Sarasota. Under normal
circumstances (pre-COVID-19) there are guided
tours of the artwork within the Plaza.
At the park you will also fi nd a memorial walkway,
two committal shelters and public restrooms. Pets
are not allowed on the cemetery grounds at any
time, picnicking is not allowed, public gatherings
are prohibited without authorization, and smoking is
only allowed in designated smoking areas.
The Sarasota National Cemetery is a beautifully-appointed fi nal resting place for local veterans.
November/December • 2020 • GASPARILLA MAGAZINE 33
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