Source: National Cemetery Administration · cem.va.gov · scraped May 2026
History of Allegheny Cemetery Soldiers' Lot
Allegheny Cemetery in Pittsburgh, PA, is among the oldest rural cemeteries in the United States. Forty of the most prominent citizens of the city — merchants, manufacturers, professionals and politicians — chartered the non-profit cemetery on April 24, 1844. The group purchased the first 100 acres for the cemetery for $50,000. Today the cemetery is composed of approximately 300 acres, in which about 120,000 persons are interred.
The soldiers' lot is located in Section 33, lot 66, and consists of 303 individual interments. While most of the burials are Union Civil War soldiers, the lot also includes 15 Confederates and a small number of Spanish-American War veterans.
Soldiers were originally interred in two places within Allegheny Cemetery: the plot donated to the federal government by the cemetery association, and the "stranger's field," also known as the "potter's field," an area for the poor. It is likely that all the remains were consolidated into the soldiers' lot in the 1870's.
Allegheny Cemetery, including the National Cemetery Administration's soldiers' lot, was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in December 1980.
Monuments and Memorials Following the Civil War, the Allegheny County Ladies Memorial Association commissioned local artist Fred Mayer to sculpt a monument for the soldier's lot. Erected in 1876, the 16-foot-tall limestone monument was dedicated in memory of those who died during the Civil War. The figure of a woman holding a wreath with her head bowed sits atop the monument, with four sculpted cannons located on the monument base. Two small cannons mounted on concrete bases mark the front of the soldiers' lot.
Notable interments
Veterans, public figures, and citizens of note buried at Allegheny Cemetery Soldiers' Lot, listed by section and site as recorded by the National Cemetery Administration.
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 M.
Kendig (Civil War). He received the Medal of Honor while serving in the U.S. Army, Company A, 63rd Pennsylvania Infantry, for actions at Spotsylvania, VA, May 12, 1864. His citation was awarded under the name of Kindig. He died in 1869 and is buried in Section 33, Lot 66, Site 32.
Eligibility for burial at Allegheny Cemetery Soldiers' Lot
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.
Request eligibility status for:
Veteran or servicemember Spouse Dependent family member Apply online »
Burial in a VA national cemetery is open to all members of the armed forces who have met a minimum active duty service requirement and were discharged under conditions other than dishonorable.
Directions
Take US 119 out of Grafton to Morgantown, WV. Then take Interstate 68 West ramp towards Interstate 79. Merge onto Interstate 68 West. Take Interstate 79 North towards Washington, PA. Take Interstate 70 West/Interstate 79 North exit on the left towards Washington, PA. Merge onto Interstate 79 North. Take Interstate 79 North exit towards Pittsburgh, PA. Merge onto Interstate 79 North. Take the Interstate 279 North exit number 14 towards Pittsburgh. Merge onto US 22 East. Stay straight to go onto Interstate 279 North. Take Interstate 279 North towards Ft. Duquesne Boulevard/Convention Center/Strip District. Take the PA 28 North exit number 13 towards Chestnut Street/East Ohio Street/ETNA. Merge onto PA 28 North. Take the 40th Street Bridge exit number 2, on the left. Turn right onto Washington Crossing Bridge. Washington Crossing Bridge becomes 40th Street. From 40th Street turn left onto Butler Street.
Floral and grounds policy
Contact the cemetery for information regarding the floral/grounds policy.
Weapons policy
VA regulations 38 CFR 1.218 prohibit the carrying of firearms (either openly or concealed), explosives or other dangerous or deadly weapons while on VA property, except for official purposes, such as military funeral honors.
Possession of firearms on any property under the charge and control of VA is prohibited. Offenders may be subject to a fine, removal from the premises, or arrest.
Education and visiting programs
More than half of VA's national cemeteries originated with the Civil War and many are closed to some burials. Other sites were established to serve World War veterans and they continue to expand. Historic themes related with NCA's cemeteries and soldiers' lots vary, but visitors should understand "Why is it here?" NCA began by installing interpretive signs, or waysides, at more than 100 properties to observe the Civil War Sesquicentennial (2011–2015). Please follow the links below to see the interpretive signs for Allegheny Soldiers' Lot.
A National Cemetery System Allegheny Soldiers' Lot Visit the Veterans Legacy Program and NCA History Program for additional information. Thank you for your interest.
Nearest cemeteries
The three closest veteran cemeteries to Allegheny Cemetery Soldiers' Lot (by straight-line distance):
- National Cemetery of the Alleghenies — Bridgeville, PA (15 mi · open)
- Grafton National Cemetery — Grafton, WV (79 mi · closed)
- West Virginia National Cemetery — Grafton, WV (84 mi · open)
Nearby veteran-friendly funeral homes
The following funeral homes within a 50-mile radius of Allegheny Cemetery Soldiers' Lot have demonstrated a commitment to serving veterans through specialized services, VA benefits coordination, or dedicated honors details.
Walter J. Zalewski Funeral Homes, Inc. is a premier funeral home located at 3201 Dobson St. in Pittsburgh, PA. With deep roots in the community, they provide a peaceful and accommodating environment to honor the memory of loved ones. Direct cremation services are provided starting at $1,495.
Ralph Schugar, Inc. Funeral Chapel is a premier funeral home located at 5509 Centre Avenue in Pittsburgh, PA. The property features well-appointed spaces including chapel, wheelchair accessible facility, and hearing impaired equipment. Professional offerings include chapel service followed by transfer to another city, receiving of deceased from another funeral home, and memorial service, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $3,325. For families preferring a traditional approach, basic burial services begin at $5,495, while direct cremation is available from $3,325. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically Jewish Community, Orthodox Families, Conservative Families, Reform Families, Reconstructionist Families, and Unaffiliated Families.
John A. Freyvogel Sons, Inc. is a premier funeral home located at 4900 Centre Ave. in Pittsburgh, PA. The property features well-appointed spaces including on-site parking, handicap-accessible facility, and well-appointed mansion. Professional offerings include traditional funeral services, cremation services, and home funeral services, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. Direct cremation services are provided starting at $2,950. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically Catholic, Presbyterian, and Christian (general, implied by 'religious considerations' and 'coordination with clergy').
Stephen M. Brady Funeral Home, Inc. is a premier funeral home located at 920 Cedar Ave. in Pittsburgh, PA. The property features well-appointed spaces including viewing rooms, chapels, and limousines. Professional offerings include traditional funeral service, cremation services, and immediate burial, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $1,190. For families preferring a traditional approach, basic burial services begin at $1,850, while direct cremation is available from $1,190. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically Catholic.
Perman Funeral Home And Cremation Services, Inc. is a premier funeral home located at 923 Saxonburg Blvd. in Pittsburgh, PA. The property features well-appointed spaces including funeral home, visitation rooms, and reception area. Professional offerings include funerals, memorial services, and cremation, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $2,895. For families preferring a traditional approach, basic burial services begin at $2,895, while direct cremation is available from $2,895. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically Catholic, Lutheran, Jewish, Buddhist, Eastern Orthodox, and Christian.
Edward P. Kanai Funeral Home is a premier funeral home located at 500 Greenfield Ave. in Pittsburgh, PA. The property features well-appointed spaces including funeral home, chapel, and viewing rooms. Professional offerings include funeral service arrangements, pre-planning, and grief support, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $3,500. For families preferring a traditional approach, basic burial services begin at $3,000, while direct cremation is available from $1,650. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically Catholic, Christian, and All Faiths.
Lawrence T Miller Funeral Home Inc is a premier funeral home located at 460 Lincoln Avenue in Pittsburgh, PA. The property features well-appointed spaces including funeral home, on-site chapel, and viewing rooms. Professional offerings include personalized services, advanced planning, and preplanning, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $2,500. For families preferring a traditional approach, basic burial services begin at $5,895, while direct cremation is available from $2,500. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically Catholic.
Boron Funeral Home Inc is a premier funeral home located at 1719 Brownsville Road in Pittsburgh, PA. The property features well-appointed spaces including parking lot and on-site apartments. Professional offerings include burial, cremation, and mausoleum entombment, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors.