News & Events: News
Mother’s Day Program flowers placed on May 9, 2025
Pet Cemeteries opened March 2025
Fair View Flag Retirement Ceremony
FAIR VIEW CEMETERY
NOVEMBER 2, 2024 @ 9:30am
Fair View flag retirement ceremony conducted by troop #352, immediately followed by flag placements on Veteran’s graves.
Come by for the ceremony and enjoy an autumn stroll as well!
Tune-in to WDBJ7 for our Interview Segment
October 20, 2024 @ 4:00PM
Interviews with Scouts and Cemetery Personnel about the history of the flag placements in Fair View.
Please tune in to see how you can be supportive!
Slideshow from the Dedication Ceremony of the Fair View Cemetery Veterans Plaza
Dedication of Veterans Plaza at Fair View Cemetery
November 11, 2015

Veterans Plaza at Fair View Cemetery Dedicated
The Veterans Plaza at Fair View Cemetery was dedicated on Veterans Day, November 11, 2015. The ceremony also commemorated the 125th anniversary of the cemetery.
Fair View offers free burial space on its grounds for any member of the U.S. Armed Forces in the Veterans Plaza.
The memorial bench designating the area has an inscription that reads:
“In appreciation to all veterans and their families for your service and sacrifice.”
The cemetery has already accepted its first military burial, and the grave was marked in time for the 11 AM program.
Roanoke City Council member Bill Bestpitch attended on behalf of the City of Roanoke.
The plot of land Fair View has sectioned off has enough space for around 1,200 to 1,500 burial plots.
WSLS10 News: Roanoke cemetery to offer free burial space to veterans
Click to read the article on the WSLS10 website.
ROANOKE (WSLS 10) – A cemetery in Roanoke is helping military families honor veterans, even in death.
The Fair View Cemetery will begin offering free burial space on its grounds for any member of the U.S. Armed Forces, just in time for Veteran’s Day.
The program is also commemorating the 125th anniversary of the cemetery.
An average burial on grounds costs more than $1,300, but for veterans, it’s free of charge to be laid to rest right in the front of the cemetery.
To designate the area on grounds, the cemetery is placing a memorial bench that reads, “In appreciation to all veterans and their families for your service and sacrifice.”
Fair View president Myrteen Heslep says she was hoping to find a way to honor the veterans here in the Roanoke community and give their families a place nearby to remember them.
“When we meet with these families, and they’ve had a choice to go elsewhere and be buried out of town, they say it’s very important that they’re close to their loved ones for visiting, and we can truly understand that because we see families visiting and placing flowers and just spending time here day in and day out, so we realize the importance of that,” explained Heslep.
The plot of land Fair View has sectioned off has enough space for around 1,200 to 1,500 burial plots.
The cemetery has already accepted its first military burial.
Heslep says they will have that grave marked on Monday, just in time for a cemetery kicking off the program at 11:00 a.m. led by City Councilor Bill Bestpitch.
Click for more information about the November 9th Veterans Plaza Dedication.

Dedication of Veterans Plaza at Fair View Cemetery, November 9, 2015
Every veteran deserves to be properly honored with dignity and respect. We recognize the sacrifice our soldiers and their families have made for our great nation. Come and honor our heroes.
You are invited to the dedication of the Veterans Plaza at Fair View Cemetery.
November 9, 2015, 11:00 AM
3300 Melrose Avenue
Roanoke, Virginia 24017
Click here for directions >>
Light refreshments to follow.
Roanoke City Council member Bill Bestpitch will be in attendance.
Other invited guests include: Roanoke mayor David Bowers, the Disabled American Veterans, and the William Fleming High School ROTC.
Honored your loved one on Memorial Day
On Memorial Day, also known as Grave Decoration Day, you are invited to stop by Cedar Lawn Memorial Park and Community Mausoleum and receive a complimentary flag to place on your family members grave.
Take Advantage of Our Annual Tent Sale

Roanoke’s Community Mausoleum at Cedar Lawn Memorial Park
Pre-planning your burial arrangements is a wonderful gift to give your family members, relieving them of the stress of having to make yet another decision at a difficult time.