Community News
Upper Cumberland State Veterans Cemetery Planned
The Upper Cumberland State Veterans Cemetery is planned for a site of more than 127 acres on Country Club Road, just east of downtown Sparta in White County, Tennessee. The Tennessee Department of Veterans Services (TDVS) has secured $7.5 million in federal funding from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ National Cemetery Administration to cover planning, design, construction, and initial operations.
Purpose and Significance
The cemetery will be Tennessee’s sixth state-run veteran’s cemetery and will provide no-cost burial services for eligible veterans, spouses, and dependents. It will also improve regional access, as many Upper Cumberland families previously had to travel to the Nashville area for the nearest veteran’s cemetery.
Funding and Timeline
- Grant program: Funding comes through the Veterans Cemetery Grants Program, with funds to be obligated by Sept. 30, 2026.
- State land purchase: The state completed the land purchase in early 2026.
- Construction timeline: The construction schedule has not been finalized and still requires state approval because the cemetery will be built on and maintained as state property.
- Future expansion: Additional grant funding may be pursued to expand facilities later.
Facilities
Planned facilities include:
- Administrative building
- Maintenance building
- Enclosed chapel for services
Upper Cumberland State Veterans Cemetery Federal grants do not cover all infrastructure required for the facility and the area American Legion Posts will be conducting fundraisers to cover these costs.