Burial at New Albany National Cemetery: A family guide

History of New Albany National Cemetery

New Albany National Cemetery is located New Albany, IN, just across the Ohio River from Louisville, KY. Founded just below the Falls of the Ohio, New Albany was first settled in the early 1800s by farmers who recognized the town's potential as a transportation and ship-building hub. The first settlers in the region named the territory after the capital of their home state, New York. Prior to construction of the locks on the Louisville side of the river, New Albany was one of the largest cities in the Midwest due to its river location. Riverboat building and glass manufacturing were important industries. In 1858, Ashbel P. Willard, governor of Indiana and a New Albany resident, dedicated the Floyd County Fairground, and the following year the Indiana State Fair came to town. During the Civil War, the fairground was converted into Camp Noble where local regiments were mustered. New Albany became a strategic supply and training center for the Union troops fighting in the South, and a hospital center for the wounded being sent north, as well as part of the Underground Railroad for slaves escaping from the South.

New Albany National Cemetery was established in 1862 to accommodate the burial of soldiers posted at the training center. It was also intended for the reinterment of Union soldiers who died in local hospitals and were buried in nearby gravesites and soldier's plots. Most of the reinterments came from West Virginia, Virginia, Kentucky and Indiana. The original 5.5 acres were purchased from Dr. Charles Bowman in early 1862. By November 1870, more than 2,000 known dead and 698 unknowns were buried at New Albany. According to a 1870s inspection report, the African-American men of the U.S. Colored Troops were buried in segregated sections from their fellow soldiers.

Today a suburban residential community envelops the cemetery, which was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1999.

Notable veterans buried at New Albany National Cemetery

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

• Private Alonzo Ash (Civil War). Ash (unknown–1865) holds the distinction of being the first interment, being interred on March 10, 1865. (Section B, Site 1016)
• LTC William Baynard Onley, Jr. (World War II). Onley (1922–1991) was the son of a Marine Corps officer who served for thirty years in both world wars. He served in the Battle of Iwo Jima. Onley was married to Francine L. Onley, and their daughter Patricia Hock worked for the New Albany National Cemetery for over 20 years. (Section G, Site 302)
• SP4 Carlos E. Wilcox, IV (Iraq). Wilcox (1982–2009) was from Cottage Grove, MN, and enlisted in the National Guard. He was deployed to Iraq in May 2009 and died during an attack on Basra. He was one of three National Guard soldiers who were killed during that attack and was only 27 years old. (Section F, Site 135)

Eligibility for burial at New Albany 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: Monday through 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 New Albany 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 New Albany National Cemetery at the assigned time. The cemetery handles opening, closing, and perpetual care from that point.

Where New Albany National Cemetery sits in the Indiana cemetery system

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