Burial at Nashville National Cemetery: A family guide

History of Nashville National Cemetery

Nashville National Cemetery is located in Madison, TN, in Davidson County approximately six miles northeast of Nashville's city center. The tracks of the Louisville & Nashville Railroad bisect the cemetery. An easement for the right of way was granted to the railroad in perpetuity in 1912.

Most of the land for Nashville National Cemetery was acquired shortly after the Civil War. In July 1866, 45 acres were transferred to the United States from Morton B. Howell, master of the Chancery Court of Nashville, in accordance with the decree of the court. During the first few months of 1867, another 17 acres were conveyed in the same manner. The final portion, about 1-1/2 acres, was purchased by the United States in 1879 from J. Watts Judson.

The original interments were the remains of soldiers removed from temporary burial grounds around Nashville's general hospitals, as well as the Civil War battlefields at Franklin and Gallatin, TN, and Bowling Green and Cave City, KY. There are 4,141 unknowns interred at Nashville National Cemetery; Roll of Honor, No. 22.

The stone wall around the cemetery and the limestone archway at the entrance were both constructed in 1870. At one time, rumors held that the remains of three Union soldiers were entombed at the top of the archway, but there is no evidence to support this claim. The present lodge, the third constructed at the cemetery, was built near the site of the original lodge and was completed in 1931.

Notable veterans buried at Nashville National Cemetery

The National Cemetery Administration documents the following veterans of note buried at Nashville 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:
• Corporal John Carr (Indian Wars). He received the Medal of Honor while serving in the U.S. Army, Company G, 8th U.S. Cavalry, for actions in the Chiricahua Mountains, Arizona Territory, October 29, 1869. Carr died in 1891 and is buried in Section KK, Site 16550.
• Private Charles P. Cantrell (Spanish-American War). He received the Medal of Honor while serving in the U.S. Army, Company F, 10th U.S. Infantry, for actions at Santiago, Cuba, July 1, 1898. Cantrell died in 1948 and is buried in Section 1, Site 132.
• Corporal William Franklin Lyell (Korea). He received the Medal of Honor posthumously for service in the U.S. Army, Company F, 17th Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division, in recognition of gallantry and self-sacrifice near Chup'a-ri, Korea, August 31, 1951. Lyell is buried in Section 1, Site 151.
• Other Burials Staff Sergeant Barry A. Sadler, (Vietnam), U.S. Army, he wrote the famous song, "The Ballad of the Green Beret," (Section NN, Site 64).
• One of the oldest private markers in the cemetery is a spire located in Section M, Site 16234, which was dedicated in memory of James Leonard of the 1st Kansas Battery. He was killed by guerrillas on January 23, 1864 and interred on January 27, 1864.
• Erastus Milo Cravath (1833–1900) was born in New York and his father was active in the abolition movement, politics and, reportedly, in the Underground Railroad. He graduated from Oberlin College's School of Theology in 1857; in 1860 he went on to earn a graduate degree in divinity and he married. In 1863 Cravath enlisted in the Union Army during the Civil War, serving as chaplain in the 101st Ohio Infantry, which saw action in Tennessee. After he mustered out in 1865, Reverend Cravath worked as a field agent for the American Missionary Association, which helped establish Fisk University in Nashville as a liberal arts school. He was president of the university for 25 years and dedicated his career to the education of African Americans. Cravath established the Fisk Jubilee Singers and traveled abroad with them raising awareness and funds for the school. Cravath is buried in Section MM, Site 16694.

Eligibility for burial at Nashville 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 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Closed federal holidays except Memorial Day.

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

Where Nashville National Cemetery sits in the Tennessee cemetery system

Nashville National Cemetery is one of the veteran cemeteries operating in Tennessee. The cemetery is currently operating with limited burial availability. Families should verify status before planning.

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