Source: National Cemetery Administration · cem.va.gov · scraped May 2026
History of City Point National Cemetery
City Point National Cemetery is located in the historical district of Hopewell, VA. The cemetery received its name from the town City Point which was in Prince George County before being annexed by the City of Hopewell in 1923. At the confluence of the James and Appomattox rivers, City Point was a vital transportation center for railroads such as the Norfolk and Petersburg Railroad, and was a well-established inland port on the James River and Kanawha Canal at the onset of the Civil War. City Point's transportation advantages and proximity to Richmond, the longest-enduring capital of the Confederacy, led Union General Ulysses S. Grant to establish a supply depot for his army here.
In the last year of the Civil War, Union troops, artillery and all manner of supplies were amassed at City Point in preparation for Grant's final assaults to capture Petersburg—another key communications center—and Richmond. From June 1864 until April 1865, the relentless Union advances and the Confederate's stubborn and often-desperate defense tactics resulted in many wounded and dead who were transported to City Point and other regional hospitals. Seven hospitals in City Point administered most of the care for the injured and mortally wounded.
Casualties were originally interred in burial grounds near the hospitals, and later they were reinterred at City Point National Cemetery. Through the years, additional burial sites from various Civil War battles have been discovered as local construction projects, such as subdivision development and road widening were made near the cemetery. Many of these remains—both Union and Confederate—were reinterred at City Point National Cemetery. Unlike other Civil War-era national cemeteries in the Richmond area, here the number of known interments exceeds unknowns. Reinterments include remains from another City Point burial ground, Point of Rocks cemetery (Chesterfield County), and Harrison's Landing (Charles City County). City Point National Cemetery was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1995.
According to an 1871 report, the superintendent's lodge at that time was a "small wooden cottage, in poor condition" and the cemetery lot was enclosed by a wooden picket fence. Sometime afterward, City Point became one of many early national cemeteries with sturdy Victorian superintendent lodges constructed according to a design by U.S. Quartermaster General Montgomery C. Meigs.
In 1922, four late-19th century buildings stood on the cemetery grounds: the superintendent's lodge; a four-room brick outbuilding that served as a wagon shed, coalhouse, stable, and workshop; a well house; and a public restroom. During 1928, the original Meigs lodge and all other structures were demolished. By December 1928, construction of a new Dutch Colonial style superintendent's lodge and service outbuilding had been completed. The cemetery is enclosed by a 19th century uncoursed fieldstone wall and wrought-iron gates. City Point National Cemetery was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1995.
Monuments and Memorials The Army of the James Monument is a large, 20-foot high white marble memorial erected in memory of the dead of the Army of the James. The monument was constructed under the direction of Major General B.F. Butler, commander of the Army of the James from April 1864 to January 1865.
Notable interments
Veterans, public figures, and citizens of note buried at City Point National Cemetery, listed by section and site as recorded by the National Cemetery Administration.
Albany native Levi Kankapot, enlisted in the U.S.
Army's Second New York Heavy Artillery on March 3, 1862, during the Civil War. He was killed June 16, 1864, the second day of the siege of Petersburg, Virginia. Pvt. Kankapot was a member of the Mohican Nation's Stockbridge tribe, and wrote about the tribe's leadership and claim to 600 acres of ancestral land in New York. Pvt. Kankapot is buried in City Point National Cemetery, where he shares a headstone with E. L. Warren .
Section C, Site 2099
Eligibility for burial at City Point 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.
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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
Richmond International Airport is approximately four miles east of Richmond's city limits. Take I-295 south. Exit 15A (Hopewell/Route 10. Follow Route 10 to 6th Avenue (Signal/right turn only) and take a right. Take another right onto Davis Street and follow to 10th Avenue.
Floral and grounds policy
Our cemetery floral regulations exist only to reflect the honor and respect we hold for our Nation's Veterans, by preserving the dignity and solemnity of their final resting place.
Fresh cut flowers may be placed at gravesites at any time using cemetery-supplied floral vases. The vases may be found in a bin at the front of the cemetery next to the trash receptacle.
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 City Point National Cemetery.
A National Cemetery System City Point National Cemetery 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 City Point National Cemetery (by straight-line distance):
- Fort Harrison National Cemetery — Richmond, VA (9 mi · closed)
- Glendale National Cemetery — Richmond, VA (10 mi · closed)
- Seven Pines National Cemetery — Sandston, VA (15 mi · closed)
Nearby veteran-friendly funeral homes
The following funeral homes within a 50-mile radius of City Point National Cemetery have demonstrated a commitment to serving veterans through specialized services, VA benefits coordination, or dedicated honors details.
Bermuda Memorial Park is a premier funeral home located at 1901 Bermuda Hundred Road in Chester, VA. The property features well-appointed spaces including cemetery property, landscaped gardens, and monuments. Professional offerings include cemetery services, traditional ground burial, and lawn crypts, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically Asian Funeral Traditions, Buddhist Funeral Traditions, Catholic Funeral Traditions, Hispanic Funeral Traditions, Qingming Festival, Hindu Funeral Traditions, Muslim Funeral Traditions, Christian Funeral Traditions, Jewish Funeral Traditions, Black Funeral Traditions, Chung Yeung Festival, and Día de los Muertos. The firm's dedication to service is reflected in their 2.6-star Google rating across 10 reviews.
E. Alvin Small Funeral Homes is a premier funeral home located at 2033 Boulevard in Colonial Heights, VA. The property features well-appointed spaces including colonial heights chapel, crater road chapel, and on-site crematory. Professional offerings include funeral services, cremation services, and traditional services, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $2,300. For families preferring a traditional approach, basic burial services begin at $3,250, while direct cremation is available from $3,175. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically Catholic, Baptist, and United Methodist.
J.T. Morriss & Son - Petersburg Chapel is a premier funeral home located at 103 S. Adams St. in Petersburg, VA. The property features well-appointed spaces including chester chapel, hopewell chapel, and petersburg chapel. Professional offerings include funeral services, memorial services, and pre-planning, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $3,545. For families preferring a traditional approach, basic burial services begin at $3,545, while direct cremation is available from $3,645. The standard basic services fee for the funeral director and staff is $2,595. Additional typical expenses include embalming ($250) and use of facilities for viewing ($595). The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically Catholicism, Christianity, Baptist, Congregational, Methodist, Episcopal, Lutheran, Presbyterian, Church of Christ, Church of God, and United Pentecostal.
Washington Memorial Park is a premier funeral home located at 6217 Memorial Drive in Sandston, VA. The property features well-appointed spaces including chapel, waterside views, and mausoleums. Professional offerings include traditional burial, lawn crypts, and mausoleum entombment, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $810. Direct cremation services are provided starting at $1,045. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically Asian Funeral Traditions, Buddhist Funeral Traditions, Catholic Funeral Traditions, Hispanic Funeral Traditions, Hindu Funeral Traditions, Muslim Funeral Traditions, Christian (Protestant) Funeral Traditions, and Jewish Funeral Traditions.
Morrissett Funeral and Cremation Service is a premier funeral home located at 6500 Iron Bridge Road in North Chesterfeld, VA. The property features well-appointed spaces including modern facility, reception center, and visitation room. Professional offerings include funeral service, cremation services, and pre-planning, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $4,145. For families preferring a traditional approach, basic burial services begin at $7,145, while direct cremation is available from $4,145.
Walter J. Manning Funeral Home is a premier funeral home located at 700 North 25th St. in Richmond, VA. The property features well-appointed spaces including chapel and funeral home. Professional offerings include funeral services, memorial services, and graveside services, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $1,365. Direct cremation services are provided starting at $1,365. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically Catholic, Non-denominational Christian, National Baptist Convention, Southern Baptist Convention, American Baptist Churches, Episcopal, United Methodist, Assemblies of God, Muslim, Presbyterian, Reform Judaism, Church of God in Christ, Progressive National Baptist Convention, and Church of our Lord Jesus Christ of the Apostolic Faith.
Scott-Lightfoot Funeral Home is a premier funeral home located at 3021 North Street in Richmond, VA. The property features well-appointed spaces including scott's chapel. Professional offerings include traditional funeral services, personalized funeral services, and limousine services, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. Direct cremation services are provided starting at $2,030. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically Baptist and Masonic.
March Funeral Homes - Laburnum Chapel is a premier funeral home located at 2110 E. Laburnum Avenue in Richmond, VA. With deep roots in the community, they provide a peaceful and accommodating environment to honor the memory of loved ones.