Big Woods Cemetery

01/04/2026

Happy New Year from the Big Woods Cemetery! Please consider donating a little something extra this year when paying your dues. All money goes towards maintaining the cemetery.

05/26/2025

We pause to remember. Thank you.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 22, 2025

LDVA TO HONOR FALLEN AND REMEMBER LEGACIES ON MEMORIAL DAY, SECRETARY MEGINLEY TO GIVE REMARKS AT SEVERAL EVENTS

BATON ROUGE, La.—Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Charlton Meginley, COL (USAF Ret) and the LDVA team will honor Louisiana’s fallen and remember their legacies in observance of Memorial Day at events across the state. LDVA’s five state veterans cemeteries will host somber ceremonies memorializing the more than 10,000 veterans interred at the cemeteries.

Secretary Meginley will deliver remarks at the annual Memorial Day Garden of Flags event on Saturday, May 24 at 8:30 a.m. hosted by Blue Star Mothers of Louisiana, Chapter 1 on the State Capitol grounds. Secretary Meginley will also speak on Memorial Day at Acadiana Veteran Alliance’s Memorial Day ceremony at Moncus Park in Lafayette at 8 a.m. followed by St. Landry Parish Veterans Memorial Day ceremony at the Yambilee Building in Opelousas at 10:30 a.m.

“A nation that forgets its veterans and service members, will itself, soon be forgotten,” said Secretary Meginley. “As we gather at events across the state to honor Louisiana’s fallen this Memorial Day, those words should ring loudly in our ears. Memorial Day is not merely a date on the calendar, but a day when we collectively pause to honor the men and women who have given their lives in service to our nation.”

LDVA’s state cemeteries provide a final resting place of honor for veterans to ensure their legacies are preserved for future generations. The cemeteries’ Memorial Day ceremonies will be held on Monday, May 26 at 11 a.m. and will include words of remembrance, prayers and the playing of Taps. Deputy Secretary Jerome Buller will deliver remarks at the Northeast Louisiana Veterans Cemetery in Rayville, which is located at 2413 Highway 425.

Central Louisiana Veterans Cemetery · 337.238.6405
3348 University Parkway · Leesville, LA 71446

Northeast Louisiana Veterans Cemetery · 318.728.4346
2413 Highway 425 · Rayville, LA 71269

Northwest Louisiana Veterans Cemetery · 318.925.0612
7970 Mike Clark Road · Keithville, LA 71047

Southeast Louisiana Veterans Cemetery · 985.646.6458
34888 Grantham College Drive · Slidell, LA 70460

Southwest Louisiana Veterans Cemetery · 337.246.7094
1610 Evangeline Road · Jennings, LA 70546

For more information about our Memorial Day ceremonies, please contact each cemetery directly.

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Governor Jeff Landry

04/08/2025

Here is a good information from the National Park Service on cemetery etiquette that we thought we might share with you.

Cemetery Etiquette
A cemetery is a unique place. While it is part of the everyday scene, it is not part of everyday life. That is to say, it is a place where tranquility and quiet are the desired norm, and activities of everyday life should be suspended.

Making the Most of This Unique Place

Cemetery visitors should:

Be sympathetic.
Do not play loud music in cars, with the windows down, for everyone to hear.

Keep children in ‘check.’
No running, yelling, or rolling around on the ground. This is not a place for childhood games. Don't let them play on any of the
monuments. While it is good to get children used to paying respects at a cemetery, they often don't fully understand the meaning of everything in the cemetery.

Do their best to not walk over the graves.
Common sense leads you to know the basic shape of a grave; walk in between the headstones, and don’t stand on top of a burial place.

Follow cemetery rules.
Most have a sign near the entrance stating hours, rules about decorations, etc. Obey these rules. Rules about decorations serve to
make sure the cemetery doesn't collect too much debris that the caretakers need to clean up. Flowers and other things can blow in the wind. It would be especially nice if any trash along the way was picked up, regardless of who left it.

Try not to remain in the cemetery after dark.
Most cemeteries are open from dawn to dusk.

Don't litter.
This creates extra work for the caretakers, and shows disrespect to the other families who come to mourn their loved ones. “Pack your
trash” is a good rule of thumb: take your refuse with you when you go, or put it in trash receptacles.

Leash your pets.
When you bring your pets, be sure to clean up after them.
Follow the roadways and don't drive on the grass.
Drive slowly and obey any traffic signs posted in the cemetery. Be careful to avoid any people since they might be upset and not paying complete attention to where they are going.

Be respectful.
Keep the volume of voices down, and don’t use offensive language.
Don't be overly friendly when talking to strangers.
Other visitors may want to be alone.

Don't touch any monuments or gravestones.
They are very meaningful to the families who placed them there. Some older memorials might be in disrepair and might fall apart under the slightest touch.

Don't take photos of other people or other funerals.
This is a very private time for people. It's best to steer clear of any funerals occurring, and don't get in the way of funeral processions.

07/22/2024

WE NEED YOUR HELP PLEASE. If anyone knows where the old cornerstone to the church building is, please PM us . The museum in Lake Charles would like to display this and is missing from the graveyard. Thank you for helping us locate this important part of our history.

05/29/2023

While it is always appropriate to thank those who serve our country, let’s not confuse Memorial Day with Veteran’s Day. Today we remember those who died in service to our country.

If you have trouble telling the difference between the two holidays honoring members of our military, this video will help.

12/25/2022

Merry Christmas to all from Antioch Primitive Baptist Church of Big Woods. May your loved ones Rest In Peace on this joyous day.

Crucifix at sunset – Download this photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash

07/04/2022

12/25/2021

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” – John 3:16

Merry Christmas

09/20/2020

Well here we go again almost 15 years to the day. As you can see we have many trees down. If you or someone you know would like to coordinate clean up efforts, please pm us. Any help is appreciated. God bless