Burial at Congressional Cemetery Government Lots: A family guide

History of Congressional Cemetery Government Lots

Established in 1807, Congressional Cemetery is located in the southeast quadrant of Washington, D.C., overlooking the Anacostia River. The National Cemetery Administration has jurisdiction over 806 burial plots located throughout the larger cemetery, including some of the oldest and most significant historic resources maintained by the agency.

The original 4.5 acres of Congressional Cemetery was purchased by a group of Washingtonians for a private burial ground. On July 19, 1807, Uriah Tracy of Connecticut became the first congressman buried in the cemetery. In 1812 the group deeded the cemetery to Christ Church as The Washington Parish Burial Ground. Five years later, Christ Church set aside 100 burial lots for members of Congress who died in Washington. From this time forward, the nickname Congressional Cemetery has been used, although in 1849 the official name was changed to Washington Cemetery.

By the 1820s, Congressional Cemetery was the traditional burial site of senators, congressmen, and other high-ranking federal officials who died in Washington. In 1823, the church donated an additional 300 gravesites for congressional use, and in 1834 Congress appropriated funds for the erection of a keepers house, planting trees, and placing boundary stones. Since 1849, the piecemeal expansion of additional ground led to its present size of approximately 30 acres.

In 1953, the cenotaphs were among the 806 gravesites (about 350 burials) — collectively occupying about a half-acre — that became federal property through a land swap between the U.S. Army and the cemetery; in turn, these were transferred to VA in 1973 along with most of the country's national cemeteries.

Notable veterans buried at Congressional Cemetery Government Lots

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

• Choctaw Chief Pushmataha came from the area that is now Mississippi. A prestigious warrior and diplomat in the early 1800s, he took pride that the Choctaw never "drew bows against the United States." He became a key treaty negotiator for his people. Pushmataha and the Choctaw sided with the Americans during Tecumseh's War. They served under Andrew Jackson during the War of 1812 when he was dubbed "The Indian General." During a trip to Washington, DC, Pushmataha died of croup (also documented as diphtheria and pneumonia) on December 24, 1824 (Section 1115, Row 31, Site 41).
• Elbridge Gerry, vice president under President James Madison, is also interred in a National Cemetery Administration government lot, in Section 1115, Lots 9-10-11. Gerry was a signer of the Declaration of Independence, and was the Governor of Massachusetts before coming to Washington. As governor, he sponsored a redistricting bill in Massachusetts, from which the word gerrymander is derived.
• South Carolinian Hugh George Campbell (1760–1820) led a distinguished naval career from the Revolutionary War through the War of 1812. He volunteered on board the first man of war commissioned by South Carolina in 1775, and served in the Caribbean (1799–1800), Mediterranean (1804–1805), and Georgia coast (1812). Later he was captain of the warships USS Constellation and USS Constitution. During his tenure with the Revenue Cutter Service, Campbell commanded the Eagle and captured more French privateer vessels than any other captain. Campbell died in Washington, DC, on November 11 and two days later was interred in the "national burying ground" with full military honors (Section 1115, Row 29, Site 26).
• There are approximately 15 senators and 43 congressmen buried in Congressional Cemetery. In addition, there are many other notables in U.S. history interred here, including William Thorton, one of the architects of the U.S. Capitol, Robert Mills, architect of the Washington Monument, and William Wirt and William Pickney, attorneys general of the United States.

Eligibility for burial at Congressional Cemetery Government Lots

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 sunrise to sunset. Office Hours: This cemetery is supervised by Baltimore National Cemetery.

How to schedule a burial at Congressional Cemetery Government Lots

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 Congressional Cemetery Government Lots at the assigned time. The cemetery handles opening, closing, and perpetual care from that point.

Where Congressional Cemetery Government Lots sits in the District Of Columbia cemetery system

Congressional Cemetery Government Lots is one of the veteran cemeteries operating in District Of Columbia. The cemetery is currently closed to new in-ground burials but may accept cremated remains in some cases. Families should verify status before planning.

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