Burial at San Francisco National Cemetery: A family guide

History of San Francisco National Cemetery

When Spain colonized what would become California, this area was selected as the site for a fort, or presidio, to defend San Francisco Bay. About 40 families traveled here from northern Mexico in 1776 and built the first settlement, a small quadrangle, only a few hundred feet west of what is now Funston Avenue. Mexico controlled the Presidio following 1821, but the fort became increasingly less important to the Mexican government. In 1835, most soldiers and their families moved north to Sonoma, leaving it nearly abandoned. During the Mexican War, U.S. troops occupied and repaired the damage to the fort.

The mid-century discovery of gold in California led to the sudden growth and importance of San Francisco, and prompted the U.S. government to establish a military reservation here. By executive order, President Millard Fillmore established the Presidio for military use in November 1850. During the 1850s and 1860s, Presidio-based soldiers fought Native Americans in California, Oregon, Washington and Nevada. The outbreak of the Civil War in 1861 re-emphasized the importance of California's riches and the military significance of San Francisco's harbor to the Union. This led, in 1862, to the first major construction and expansion program at the Presidio since the United States acquired it.

The Indian Wars of the 1870s and 1880s resulted in additional expansion of the Presidio, including large-scale tree planting and a post beautification program. By the following decade the Presidio had shed its frontier outpost appearance and was elevated to a major military installation and base for American expansion into the Pacific.

In 1890, with the creation of Sequoia, General Grant and Yosemite national parks in the Sierra Nevada mountains of California, the protection of these scenic and natural resources was assigned to the U.S. cavalry stationed at the Presidio. Soldiers patrolled these parks during summer months until the start of World War I in 1914. The Spanish American War in 1898 and subsequent Philippine-American War, from 1899 to 1902, increased the role of the Presidio. Thousands of troops camped in tent cities while awaiting shipment to the Philippines. Returning sick and wounded soldiers were treated in the Army's first permanent hospital, later renamed Letterman Army General Hospital. In 1914, troops under the command of Gen. John Pershing departed the Presidio for the Mexican border in pursuit of Pancho Villa and his men. When World War I began, Pershing became commander of the American Expeditionary Forces in Europe.

Notable veterans buried at San Francisco National Cemetery

The National Cemetery Administration documents the following veterans of note buried at San Francisco 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:
• Second Lieutenant William Allen (Indian Wars). He received the Medal of Honor while serving in the U.S. Army, Company I, 23rd U.S. Infantry, for actions at Turret Mountain, Arizona Territory, March 27, 1873. Allen died in 1892 and is buried in Section OS, Row 48, Site 2.
• Signal Quartermaster Matthew Arthur (Civil War). He received the Medal of Honor while serving in the U.S. Navy for actions on board the USS Carondelet at the reduction of Forts Henry and Donelson, February 6 and 14, 1862. His citation was awarded under the name of Arther. Arthur died in 1899 and is buried in Section OS, Row 16, Site 1.
• Commander William Badders. He received the Medal of Honor while serving in the U.S. Navy for actions during the rescue and salvage operations after the sinking of the USS Squalus, May 13, 1939. Badders died in 1986 and is buried in Section A, Site 788-A.
• Lieutenant Colonel James Coey (Civil War). He received the Medal of Honor while serving in the U.S. Army, 147th New York Infantry, for actions at Hatcher's Run, VA, February 6, 1865. Coey died in 1918 and is buried in Section OS, Row 89, Site 1.
• Sergeant James Congdon Madison (Civil War). He received the Medal of Honor while serving in the U.S. Army, Company E, 8th New York Cavalry, for actions at Waynesboro, VA, March 2, 1865. While his real name was James Madison, he served under the alias James Congdon during the war and the citation was awarded in that name. He maintained Congdon as part of his name for the remainder of his life. He died in 1926 and is buried in Section OSA, Row 15, Site 7.
• Colonel Matthias W. Day (Indian Wars). He received the Medal of Honor while serving in the U.S. Army, 9th U.S. Cavalry, for actions at Las Animas Canyon, New Mexico Territory, September 18, 1879. Day died in 1927 and is buried in Section OS, Row 11, Site 2.

Eligibility for burial at San Francisco 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 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Office Hours: Contact the Golden Gate National Cemetery Administrative Office from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

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

Where San Francisco National Cemetery sits in the California cemetery system

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