Burial at Philadelphia National Cemetery: A family guide

History of Philadelphia National Cemetery

Philadelphia National Cemetery is located in Philadelphia County, PA, two miles north of Germantown in the city of Philadelphia.

Philadelphia National Cemetery was one of 14 national cemeteries established in 1862, and it was one of several established near large troop-recruitment and training areas. In its first year, the cemetery was composed of burial lots in seven different locations that were either donated to or purchased by the federal government. These were intended to be used specifically for soldiers who died in one of the many hospitals in the Philadelphia area. In 1885, the United States purchased a little over 13 acres from Henry J. and Susan B. Freeman to concentrate the scattered remains of soldiers into one geographic location. The remains were disinterred and consolidated at this location, occupied by Philadelphia National Cemetery today.

Philadelphia National Cemetery was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1997.

Monuments and Memorials The Mexican War Monument is a marble obelisk that was erected by the Scott Legion in honor of 38 men who served and died in that conflict. The men were originally buried at Glenwood Cemetery and were re-interred at Philadelphia National Cemetery in 1927. The date of dedication is unknown.

Notable veterans buried at Philadelphia National Cemetery

The National Cemetery Administration documents the following veterans of note buried at Philadelphia 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:
• Seaman Alphonse Girandy. Alphonse Girandy was born in the French West Indies and he immigrated to the United States. In 1896 he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and received naturalized citizenship. Seaman Girandy served on the USS Brooklyn during his first tour, and in 1899 he re-enlisted. Between 1900 and 1904 Girandy was on the USS Petrel when, in 1901, the ship caught fire. His actions, "fearlessly exposing own life to danger for the saving of others," were recognized in March 1902 when Girandy received the Medal of Honor. As a civilian, he lived in Philadelphia, where he died on April 3, 1941. He is buried in Section N, Site 66.
• Major General Galusha Pennypacker (Civil War). Pennypacker received the Medal of Honor while serving in the U.S. Army, 97th Pennsylvania Infantry, for actions at Fort Fisher, North Carolina, January 15, 1865. Pennypacker died in 1916 and is buried in Section OFF, Site 175.
• Other Burials Sixty-six Buffalo Soldiers.

Eligibility for burial at Philadelphia 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 sunset. Office Hours: This cemetery is administered by Washington Crossing National Cemetery.

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

Where Philadelphia National Cemetery sits in the Pennsylvania cemetery system

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