Burial at Cypress Hills National Cemetery: A family guide

History of Cypress Hills National Cemetery

Despite the early optimism of both the Union and Confederacy, by summer 1862, it was increasingly evident that the Civil War would be both long and costly. It was also apparent that additional burial grounds would be needed to accommodate the growing number of Union soldiers who died from battle injuries and disease.

While New York City and its outskirts were outside the area of military conflict, numerous hospitals were set up here to care for wounded Union troops. Cypress Hills began as a zone of the Interior Military Cemetery and was located within the boundaries of the large and private Cypress Hills Cemetery in Brooklyn. Almost three acres were set aside for the burial of Civil War dead in what became known as Union Grounds. In 1870, the Cypress Hills Cemetery Corporation deeded the property to the United States for a consideration of $9,600. An inspection report of September 1870 indicates that 3,170 Union soldiers and 461 Confederate POWs were already buried there. Most of the interments came from military hospitals in the area. There were also a number of reinterments from cemeteries on Long Island Sound and in Rhode Island.

Prior to 1873, eligibility for burial in a national cemetery was restricted to U.S. soldiers who died as a result of injury or disease during the Civil War. In 1873, however, Congress approved legislation extending burial rights to honorably discharged soldiers, sailors and Marines who served during the war. To accommodate the growing number of burials requested at Cypress Hills, more than 15 acres were purchased in 1884. In addition, in 1941, a small tract within the old Cypress Hills Cemetery, known as the Mount of Victory Plot, was donated by the State of New York. Today the cemetery consists of three parcels totaling a little over 18 acres: the Union grounds, a larger area on Jamaica Avenue, and the Mount of Victory. Although Cypress Hills was established to honor Civil War veterans, its grounds include the graves of soldiers who fought in the American Revolution, Spanish-American War, Korean and Vietnam wars. Cypress Hills National Cemetery was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1997.

Monuments and Memorials The 12-foot granite French Cross monument was erected in memory of 25 French sailors who died while on duty in American waters during World War I. Of the sailors who died, 22 are buried in the cemetery and three were returned to France for burial.

Notable veterans buried at Cypress Hills National Cemetery

The National Cemetery Administration documents the following veterans of note buried at Cypress Hills 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:
• First Sergeant John Mapes Adams (Boxer Rebellion). He received the Medal of Honor while serving in the U.S. Marine Corps for actions near Tientsin, China, July 13, 1900. His alias was George Lawrence Day, and he was stationed in China, the Philippine Islands, and Panama. Adams died in 1921 and is buried in Section 2, Site 8262.
• Sergeant Wilbur C. Colyer (World War I). He received the Medal of Honor posthumously for service in the U.S. Army, Company A, First Engineers, First Division in recognition of actions near Verdun, France, October 9, 1918. Colyer was later killed in action on October 10. He is buried in Section 2, Site 8588.
• Coxswain John Cooper (Civil War). He received the Medal of Honor twice, first while serving in the U.S. Navy on board the USS Brooklyn during the Battle of Mobile Bay, Alabama, August 5, 1864; and second while serving as quartermaster on the staff of Acting Rear Admiral Henry Thatcher for actions during a fire on April 26, 1865. Cooper died in 1891 and is buried in Section 2, Site 5022.
• Seaman Henry C. Courtney. He received the Medal of Honor while serving in the U.S. Navy for his actions on board the U.S. training ship Portsmouth, February 7, 1882. Courtney died in 1887 and is buried in Section 6, Site 12222.
• Sergeant Major Daniel Joseph Daly (Boxer Rebellion; Haitian Campaign, 1915). He received the Medal of Honor twice, first while serving in the U.S. Marine Corps during the battle of Peking, China, August 14, 1900; and second while serving with the 15th Company at Fort Liberte, Republic of Haiti, October 24, 1915. Daly died in 1937 and is buried in Section 5, Site 70.
• Private James J. Dougherty (1871 Korean Campaign). He received the Medal of Honor while serving in the U.S. Marine Corps for actions during the attack and capture of the Korean forts, June 11, 1871. Dougherty died in 1897 and is buried in Section 6, Site 12374.

Eligibility for burial at Cypress Hills 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 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Office Hours: Monday thru Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Closed federal holidays except Memorial Day and Veterans Day.

How to schedule a burial at Cypress Hills 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 Cypress Hills National Cemetery at the assigned time. The cemetery handles opening, closing, and perpetual care from that point.

Where Cypress Hills National Cemetery sits in the New York cemetery system

Cypress Hills National Cemetery is one of the veteran cemeteries operating in New York. 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 Cypress Hills National Cemetery is fully reserved, those alternatives are typically the next options.