Source: National Cemetery Administration · cem.va.gov · scraped May 2026
History of Crown Hill Confederate Plot
The Crown Hill Confederate Plot is located in Section 32, Lot 285, of Crown Hill Cemetery in Indianapolis, IN. Crown Hill Cemetery is notable as one of the largest private cemeteries in the country at 555 acres. Incorporated September 25, 1863, as a non-denominational facility, Crown Hill Cemetery provided much needed burial grounds at a time when space was diminishing in the city cemetery. Following the contemporary movement to locate cemeteries away from urban cores, Crown Hill Cemetery was established approximately three miles away from downtown Indianapolis. Among the many notables buried in Crown Hill Cemetery are President Benjamin Harrison, 11 governors of Indiana, and the notorious bank robber John Dillinger.
The Crown Hill Cemetery Confederate Plot was established in 1931 as a memorial and burial place for 1,616 unknown Confederate Soldiers. Most of the soldiers interred here died at Camp Morton, a Union prison on the north side of Indianapolis. Between 1862 and 1865, at least 9,000 Confederate prisoners passed through the gates of Camp Morton. Initially, deceased prisoners were interred in the nearby Greenlawn Cemetery. In 1912, the federal government erected an imposing, 27' tall Confederate monument in Greenlawn Cemetery, featuring the names of persons who perished at Camp Morton. However, Greenlawn Cemetery closed in 1928, and the Confederate monument was relocated to the city's Garfield Park to make it more visible to the public. Five years later, the remains of the Confederate soldiers were moved to Crown Hill Cemetery, and placed in a mass grave. On top of the mound a new granite monument was erected, commemorating the unknown Confederate dead.
Crown Hill Cemetery, including the Confederate Plot and the nearby Crown Hill National Cemetery - established for the Union dead - was listed on the National Register for Historic Places in February 1973.
Monuments and Memorials The original inscription on the 6' tall granite monument erected on the site in 1933 read: "Remains of 1616 Unknown Confederate Soldiers who died at Indianapolis while Prisoners of War." In 1993, a local effort led to the rededication of the site, which included a modification of the original monument. Today, a bronze tablet on its base reads: "Confederate Mound: These Confederate soldiers and sailors died at Indianapolis while prisoners of war. They were transferred here from Greenlawn Cemetery in 1933 to rest eternal. A large monument to these dead now stands in Garfield Park, Indianapolis, Indiana." In addition, ten bronze tablets on granite bases were placed nearby, which contain the names of the Confederate dead believed to have been re-interred here.
Notable interments
Veterans, public figures, and citizens of note buried at Crown Hill Confederate Plot, listed by section and site as recorded by the National Cemetery Administration.
Under Development.
Eligibility for burial at Crown Hill Confederate Plot
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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
Travel east on Airport Expressway. Take Interstate 74 West/Interstate 465 North exit. Merge onto Interstate 465 North/Interstate 74 West. Continue straight to Interstate 465 North. From Interstate 465 North take the 38th Street exit, exit number 17. Keep right at the fork in the ramp. Merge onto West 38th Street. Turn Left onto Clarendon Road. From Clarendon Road turn left onto West 38th Street. The cemetery will be on the right.
Floral and grounds policy
Natural, fresh-cut flowers may be placed on graves at any time of the year and will be removed when they become unsightly or when it becomes necessary to facilitate cemetery operations.
Artificial flowers are permitted on graves only from October 10 through April 15. Christmas wreaths, grave blankets and other seasonal adornments may be placed on graves from December 1 through January 20.
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 Crown Hill Cemetery Confederate Plot.
A National Cemetery System Crown Hill Cemetery Confederate Plot 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 Crown Hill Confederate Plot (by straight-line distance):
- Crown Hill National Cemetery — Indianapolis, IN (0 mi · closed)
- Crown Hill National Cemetery Annex — Indianapolis, IN (0 mi · unknown)
- Marion National Cemetery — Marion, IN (56 mi · open)
Nearby veteran-friendly funeral homes
The following funeral homes within a 50-mile radius of Crown Hill Confederate Plot have demonstrated a commitment to serving veterans through specialized services, VA benefits coordination, or dedicated honors details.
Crown Hill Funeral Home & Cemetery is a premier funeral home located at 700 West 38Th Street in Indianapolis, IN. The property features well-appointed spaces including large open-concept facility, chapel, and reception hall. Professional offerings include funeral planning, cremation services, and traditional burial, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $2,550. For families preferring a traditional approach, basic burial services begin at $6,310, while direct cremation is available from $2,550. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically Buddhism, Catholicism, Greek Orthodoxy, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, and Protestantism.
Sprowl Funeral & Cremation Care is a premier funeral home located at 1134 West 30Th Street in Indianapolis, IN. With deep roots in the community, they provide a peaceful and accommodating environment to honor the memory of loved ones. The firm's dedication to service is reflected in their 4.8-star Google rating across 62 reviews.
Sprowl Funeral and Cremation Care is a premier funeral home located at 1134 West 30th St. in Indianapolis, IN. The property features well-appointed spaces including on-site facility for services. Professional offerings include burial services, cremation services, and pre-arrangements, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $1,490. For families preferring a traditional approach, basic burial services begin at $1,750, while direct cremation is available from $1,490. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically Christian.
Stuart Mortuary Inc is a premier funeral home located at 2201 North Illinois Street in Indianapolis, IN. The property features well-appointed spaces including stuart mortuary chapel, viewing rooms, and chapels. Professional offerings include traditional funeral service, memorial service, and burial, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $895. For families preferring a traditional approach, basic burial services begin at $3,575, while direct cremation is available from $895. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically Christian (general), Church of Christ, Church of Christ (Holiness) USA, and Non-denominational.
Bell Mortuary & Crematory - Royster-Askin-Sandrock Chapel is a premier funeral home located at 2310 West Washington Street in Indianapolis, IN. The property features well-appointed spaces including gathering spaces, on-site chapel, and reception hall. Professional offerings include funeral services, cremation services, and burial services, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. For families preferring a traditional approach, basic burial services begin at $5,865, while direct cremation is available from $1,200. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically Christian and All religions and cultures served.
Indiana Memorial & Cremation Service, Inc. is a premier funeral home located at 3562 West 10Th Street in Indianapolis, IN. The property features well-appointed spaces including indiana memorial trafalgar center, chapel, and stage. Professional offerings include traditional burial, cremation, and pre-planning, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $1,110. For families preferring a traditional approach, basic burial services begin at $3,795, while direct cremation is available from $1,110. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically Catholic Church, Christian (various denominations), Hinduism, Jainism, Sikhism, Buddhism, Islam, and Orthodox Judaism. The firm's dedication to service is reflected in their 4.6-star Google rating across 82 reviews.
Usher Funeral Home Inc is a premier funeral home located at 2313 West Washington Street in Indianapolis, IN. The property features well-appointed spaces including viewing rooms, chapels, and limousines. Professional offerings include funeral services, cremation services, and preplanning arrangements, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $1,060. For families preferring a traditional approach, basic burial services begin at $4,560, while direct cremation is available from $1,060. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically Catholic and Christian (various denominations). The firm's dedication to service is reflected in their 5.0-star Google rating across 7 reviews.
Lavenia & Summers Home for Funerals is a premier funeral home located at 5811 East 38Th Street in Indianapolis, IN. The property features well-appointed spaces including legacy cremation & funeral services. Professional offerings include cremation, traditional funeral service, and memorial service, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $1,295. For families preferring a traditional approach, basic burial services begin at $3,790, while direct cremation is available from $1,295. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically Church of God in Christ, Catholic, Baptist, and Christian (Non-Denominational).