Burial Planning at the Presbyterian Cemetery and Columbarium

The Presbyterian Cemetery and Columbarium offers a peaceful and historic resting place, located within the Wilkes Street Cemetery Complex in Alexandria, Virginia. We understand that planning a burial can be overwhelming, whether it follows the recent passing of a loved one or is part of making thoughtful arrangements for the future. We hope to help with practical steps and helpful information to support you during this important time.

Contact our Cemetery Superintendent

burial planning

What to Do When a Loved One Passes Away

Begin by contacting a licensed funeral home or cremation society of your choice. The funeral home will help you with essential arrangements, including transportation, permits, and preparation of remains. We frequently work with several Alexandria-based funeral homes, but we welcome services from any licensed provider.

A few local options include:

Demaine Funeral Home – 520 S. Washington St. | 703-549-0074
Cunningham-Turch Funeral Home – 811 Cameron St. | 703-549-1800
Everly-Wheatley Funeral Home – 1500 W. Braddock Rd. | 703-998-9200
Jefferson Funeral Chapel – 5755 Castlewellan Dr. | 703-971-7400

Once you’ve selected a funeral home, please contact Superintendent David Heiby to coordinate

burial details.

Traditional Burial vs. Cremation

We support both traditional (casketed) interments and cremation (inurnments) within our cemetery.

Casket Burial: Requires a vault or liner. The funeral home provides a canopy, chairs, and mats for the service.
Cremation Burial: No vault is required. Biodegradable urns are welcome. The cemetery provides the service setup.
Columbarium Niches: Our columbarium contains 192 niches (12” x 12” x 12”), each able to hold two small urns.
Scattering of Ashes: Permitted in limited circumstances and only with prior written approval from the Superintendent.

Scheduling a Funeral or Committal Service

Services are typically held weekdays between 9 am and 2 pm. We no longer conduct services on Saturdays. All services must be conducted by an ordained, licensed, or commissioned

Christian clergy member. Please provide the following when contacting the Superintendent:

Deceased's name, date of birth, and date of death
Name of the funeral home and director
Clergy name and affiliated church
Whether a plot/niche has already been purchased

Purchasing a Plot or Niche

If you need to purchase a plot or columbarium niche, the Superintendent will guide you through the options available and help select a site that meets your needs. Appointments are required. A deed will be issued upon purchase.

Memorial Stones and Niche Engraving

We require the use of our approved memorial vendor, Kline Memorials, for all headstones and niche engravings. The Superintendent will assist in coordinating this process, including:

Submitting your desired inscription
Receiving a proof (template) from Kline Memorials
Confirming your signed approval
Scheduling engraving and notifying your family upon completion

Niche faceplates allow up to 66 characters and follow a standard engraving style.

Kline Memorials

What to Expect on the Day of the Funeral

The cemetery will be closed to the public one hour before and one hour after each service to ensure privacy and a peaceful atmosphere. Vehicles may enter and park within the cemetery grounds. There is no limit on the number of attendees.