Long Island National Cemetery

Long Island National Cemetery is a military burial ground in Farmingdale covering 364 acres of maintained grounds. The space is arranged with uniform white headstones set in precise rows across grass-covered sections.

The cemetery was established in 1936 to address burial space shortages after World War I when New York City urban cemeteries reached capacity. Its founding reflects the growing need to accommodate veterans outside densely populated urban areas.

The cemetery serves as a final resting place for Medal of Honor recipients, the jazz musician John Coltrane and his wife, and soldiers from different nations who served in various conflicts. These graves reflect the diversity of those buried here and their individual stories.

The grounds welcome visitors daily and provide space for walking and personal reflection. Office buildings on site can help during weekdays if you need information about locating specific graves.

One section holds the remains of 36 Italian prisoners of war who died during a torpedo attack off Algeria's coast. This burial place marks a lesser-known chapter of the war that is often overlooked.

Location: Farmingdale

Inception: 1936

Address: 2040 Wellwood Avenue, Farmingdale, New York 11735-1211

Phone: +6314544949

Website: http://cem.va.gov/CEMs/nchp/longisland.asp

GPS coordinates: 40.75486,-73.39459

Latest update: December 7, 2025 20:45