Burial at Loudon Park National Cemetery: A family guide

History of Loudon Park National Cemetery

Loudon Park National Cemetery, originally a military cemetery located within the private Loudon Park Cemetery, is located in southwest Baltimore, MD. It was one of the 14 original national cemeteries established under the National Cemetery Act of July 17, 1862.

The first inhabitants arrived in the region during the early 17th century, but the city of Baltimore was not founded until 1729. Due to an excellent harbor, Baltimore became an important port for the export and import of goods, particularly tobacco and grain. It was an important shipbuilding center, especially during the American Revolution and early 1800s when the famous Baltimore Clippers were built here. After the War of 1812, Baltimore experienced a period of dramatic growth due to the construction of the National Road and, later, the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad. During the Civil War, the city harbored pro-Southern sympathizers. When the 6th Massachusetts Regiment passed through Baltimore on its way south, for example, a mob attacked the Union soldiers. Despite being located less than 100 miles from the nation's capital, no major Civil War battles occurred in Baltimore. However, as a major port city and home of the B&O railroad, it was a key transportation center during the war.

Loudon Park National Cemetery was established in 1862 with most of the original interments coming from Baltimore hospitals, as well as the Relay House and Elkridge Landing. The Relay House was a popular hotel for B&O passengers in the 19th century. Located on the mainline route, Union regiments occupied the town of Relay beginning in May 1861. The Relay House became the headquarters for Union officers and enlisted men stationed in the area to protect the railroad from Confederate saboteurs. Elkridge Landing was another important Maryland transportation center at risk of enemy occupation or destruction during the war. Not only was Elkridge Landing a deep-water port in use since the Colonial period, but the Annapolis & Elkridge Railroad ran through it as a vital link to the B&O, iron mines and furnaces.

Nearby, Fort McHenry served as a prison camp for Confederate soldiers and Southern sympathizers during the war. In summer 1863, the prison became overcrowded after nearly 7,000 POWs from the Battle of Gettysburg were brought there. Although death rates at Fort McHenry were lower than at other Union prison facilities, a number of Confederate soldiers died while imprisoned there and they were buried at Loudon Park National Cemetery.

Notable veterans buried at Loudon Park National Cemetery

The National Cemetery Administration documents the following veterans of note buried at Loudon Park 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:
• Private Henry G. Costin (World War I). He received the Medal of Honor posthumously for service in the U. S. Army, Battery H, 115th Infantry, 29th Division, in recognition of actions near the Bois-de-Consenvoye, France, October 8, 1918. Costin died that day and is buried in Section B, Site 460.
• Corporal James T. Jennings (Civil War). He received the Medal of Honor while serving in the U.S. Army, Company K, 56th Pennsylvania Infantry, for actions at Weldon Railroad, VA, August 20, 1864. Jennings died in 1865 and is buried in Section A, Site 1410.
• First Sergeant Henry Newman (Indian Wars). He received the Medal of Honor while serving in the U.S. Army, Company F, 5th U. S. Cavalry, for actions in the Whetstone Mountains, Arizona Territory, July 13, 1872. Newman died in 1915 and is buried in the Post Section, Site 739.
• First Sergeant William O. Philipsen (Indian Wars). He received the Medal of Honor while serving in the U.S. Army, Troop D, 5th U.S. Cavalry, for actions at Milk River, Colorado, September 29, 1879. Philipsen died in 1913 and is buried in the Post Section, Site 896.
• Captain William Taylor (Civil War). He received the Medal of Honor while serving in the U.S. Army, Company H and M, 1st Maryland Infantry, respectively, for actions at Front Royal, Virginia, on May 23, 1862, and at Weldon Railroad, Virginia, on August 19, 1864. Taylor died in 1902 and is buried in the Officers Section, Site 16.

Eligibility for burial at Loudon Park 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 sunrise to sunset. Office Hours: This cemetery is supervised by Baltimore National Cemetery.

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

Where Loudon Park National Cemetery sits in the Maryland cemetery system

Loudon Park National Cemetery is one of the veteran cemeteries operating in Maryland. 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 Loudon Park National Cemetery is fully reserved, those alternatives are typically the next options.