The Missouri Veterans Cemetery in Higginsville held a groundbreaking ceremony to begin a project constructing a new columbarium wall on Thursday, November 7.

The project will construct a 1,600-niche columbarium wall, costing around $1.7 million. Cemetery Director Kelly Larkin says there was a need to begin this project because the existing walls are reaching capacity.

Larkin says there are plans to expand each of the wall in the decades to come.

The project was funded through the Veterans Health and Care Fund and the Veterans Commission Capital Improvement Fund. There will be a dedication ceremony once construction is complete in May.