Source: National Cemetery Administration · cem.va.gov · scraped May 2026
History of Fort Harrison National Cemetery
Fort Harrison National Cemetery is located in Henrico County, VA, seven miles south of Richmond. It is a small cemetery of 1.6 acres, which owes its existence to circumstances of the Civil War. After the Battle of Cold Harbor in the summer of 1864, which secured the Union's northern front during its Richmond campaign, General Ulysses S. Grant marched southeast in an effort to cut off the Confederate troops. To prevent General Robert E. Lee from shifting troops around Richmond, the Union made a surprise attack on Fort Harrison, a strategic Confederate stronghold overlooking the James River. Union soldiers captured it on September 29, 1864. Confederate attempts to retake Fort Harrison the next day were unsuccessful and the fort remained under Union control until the evacuation of Richmond in April 1865. During this period, it was temporarily renamed Fort Burnham in honor of Union General Hiram Burnham, who was killed at Chapin's Farm during the federal attack on Fort Harrison.
At the end of the war, a site near Fort Harrison was appropriated for use as a cemetery. This national cemetery contains the original interments of Union soldiers who died on the battlefields of Forts Harrison, and Gilmer, and from some 40 locations within a five-mile area surrounding the cemetery. The number of unknown dead at Fort Harrison far exceeds the known dead. As of July 1876, 239 of 814 interments were known, while 575 were unknown, including four Confederate prisoners of war.
The cemetery remains a picturesque walled site with a standard, Victorian stone lodge. Fort Harrison National Cemetery was placed on the National Register of Historic Places on August 10, 1995.
Notable interments
Veterans, public figures, and citizens of note buried at Fort Harrison National Cemetery, 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:
Private George A.
Buchanan (Civil War). He received the Medal of Honor while serving in the U.S. Army, Company G, 148th New York Infantry, for actions at Chapin's Farm, VA, September 29,1864. Buchanan died in October 1864 and is buried in Section A, Site 224.
Eligibility for burial at Fort Harrison 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.
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
Situated in Henrico County, 7½ miles southeast of Richmond. The cemetery may be reached from U.S. Highway 60 turning south on Laburnum Avenue. From Laburnum Avenue turn left on Wilson Road. Wilson Road, after crossing New Market, becomes Varina Road. Follow Varina Road. for approximately two miles. Cemetery is on the right. Cemetery can also be reached from Interstate 64 by taking the Laburnum Avenue south exit and following directions as given above.
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 Fort Harrison National Cemetery.
A National Cemetery System Fort Harrison 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 Fort Harrison National Cemetery (by straight-line distance):
- Richmond National Cemetery — Richmond, VA (6 mi · closed)
- Glendale National Cemetery — Richmond, VA (7 mi · closed)
- Seven Pines National Cemetery — Sandston, VA (7 mi · closed)
Nearby veteran-friendly funeral homes
The following funeral homes within a 50-mile radius of Fort Harrison 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Bennett Funeral Homes is a premier funeral home located at 8014 Lee Davis Road in Mechanicsville, VA. With deep roots in the community, they provide a peaceful and accommodating environment to honor the memory of loved ones.