Burial at Richmond National Cemetery: A family guide

History of Richmond National Cemetery

Richmond National Cemetery is located in Henrico County, VA, about three miles east of the state capital. The cemetery lies just within the fortification lines constructed by the Confederate army during its defense of Richmond during the Civil War. Three of the cemetery's 10 acres were purchased in July 1867 from William Slater; additional acreage was subsequently purchased in 1868 and 1906.

The first burials at Richmond National Cemetery were reinterments from Oakwood and Hollywood cemeteries in Richmond, the cemetery at Belle Island Confederate Prison, the battlefields of Cold Harbor and Seven Pines, and from locations in Chesterfield and Hanover counties, VA.

Richmond National Cemetery was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1995.

Monuments and Memorials This cemetery contains no monuments or memorials.

Notable veterans buried at Richmond National Cemetery

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

• Joseph Anthony Baar (1947–1968) was born in Virginia and he graduated from Highland Springs High School, Richmond, before joining the U.S. Navy. Fireman Baar was one of 99 sailors onboard the nuclear submarine, USS Scorpion, when she disappeared in May 1968. The wreckage of the submarine was found off the coast of the Azores in October that year; the 12 officers and 87 crewmen perished. The cause of the disaster is not known. A memorial service for Baar was held in June 1968. In May 2018, the navy observed the fiftieth anniversary of the loss of the Scorpion with a ceremony attended by the descendants of the lost crew. Baar is memorialized in Richmond National Cemetery (Section 4A).

Eligibility for burial at Richmond 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 thru Friday 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Closed federal holidays except Memorial Day and Veterans Day.

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

Where Richmond National Cemetery sits in the Virginia cemetery system

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