Burial at Biloxi National Cemetery: A family guide

History of Biloxi National Cemetery

Biloxi National Cemetery is located in Harrison County, about five miles west of the center of Biloxi on the grounds of the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC) and adjacent to the Keesler Field Air Force Base in Mississippi.

The cemetery was established in March 1934 as part of the VA Medical Center. Biloxi Cemetery's first burial was held on March 24,1934, with the interment of Private Edgar A. Ross, 1st Regiment of the Tennessee Infantry.

From 1934 to 1973 the purpose of Biloxi Cemetery was to provide a final resting place solely for veterans who died in the adjoining medical center. The allocation of cemetery space in Biloxi remained restricted until the passage of the 1973 National Cemetery Act, which opened the cemetery to all honorably discharged veterans and their dependents, active duty personnel and their dependents regardless of home of residence or where death occurred. The first interment after the facility was designated Biloxi National Cemetery was Chief Master Sergeant Robert E. Callender, U.S. Air Force.

Since its establishment in 1934, Biloxi's has increased in size twice as the result of land transfers from the VAMC. In 1982, 17 acres were added to the original 25 and, in 1996, 12 more were added for a total of 54 acres.

Notable veterans buried at Biloxi National Cemetery

The National Cemetery Administration documents the following veterans of note buried at Biloxi National Cemetery, listed by section and site as recorded in the cemetery's official register.

• Medal of Honor The Medal of Honor is the highest award for valor in action against an enemy force that can be bestowed upon an individual serving in the Armed Services of the United States. Recipients receive the Medal of Honor from the President on behalf of Congress. It was first awarded during the Civil War and the eligibility criteria, medal design, and recognition on a recipients' grave marker have all evolved over time. There are 434 Medal of Honor recipients interred at VA national cemeteries including 6 double recipients.
• » Medal of Honor recipients interred or memorialized here:
• Colonel Ira C. Welborn (Spanish-American War). He received the Medal of Honor while serving in the U.S. Army, 9th U.S. Infantry, for actions in Santiago, Cuba, July 2, 1898. Welborn died in 1956 and is buried in Section 12, Row 4, Site 12.
• Other Burials Six unknown soldiers who served in the Mexican-American War are buried in Section H, grave 4 and 5, and Section DD, graves 25, 26, 27 and 28. They were reinterred at Biloxi National Cemetery on Veterans Day 1989 and Memorial Day 2010, respectively. These soldiers died at Camp Jefferson Davis on Greenwood Island in 1848. The camp was established as a homecoming port for soldiers returning to the United States from the Mexican-American War. The burials became visible on the island as a result of beach erosion. Archaeological efforts in the late 1970s–1980s and again in 2008–2009 resulted in the identification of the men as U.S soldiers.

Eligibility for burial at Biloxi National Cemetery

Planning ahead for a Veteran's or loved-one's final resting place can eliminate unnecessary delays and reduce stress on a family at a difficult time.

The Department of Veterans Affairs covers the grave plot, opening and closing of the grave, perpetual care, a government-furnished headstone or marker, and a U.S. burial flag at no cost to eligible families.

Visiting hours

Visitation Hours: Open daily from dawn to dusk. Office Hours: Monday thru Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Closed federal holidays except Memorial Day. VA will continue its practice of honoring special requests for weekend burials for religious purposes, in cases of service members killed in action and on at least one day of any three-day Federal holiday weekend at all open VA national cemeteries.

How to schedule a burial at Biloxi National Cemetery

1. The funeral home or family contacts the National Cemetery Scheduling Office at 1-800-535-1117 (24/7 for active funeral arrangements).
2. Provide the veteran's full name, date of birth, social security number, dates of service, branch, and date of death.
3. Fax or email the DD-214 to the cemetery's interment office for verification.
4. Once eligibility is confirmed (typically 30–60 minutes for complete documentation), the cemetery assigns a date, time, and committal shelter.
5. The funeral home transports the deceased to Biloxi National Cemetery at the assigned time. The cemetery handles opening, closing, and perpetual care from that point.

Where Biloxi National Cemetery sits in the Mississippi cemetery system

Biloxi National Cemetery is one of the veteran cemeteries operating in Mississippi. The cemetery is currently accepting new in-ground and columbarium interments. Families should verify status before planning.

For families considering alternatives, the nearest veteran cemeteries appear in our cemetery sidebar. If Biloxi National Cemetery is fully reserved, those alternatives are typically the next options.