Source: National Cemetery Administration · cem.va.gov · scraped May 2026
History of Knoxville National Cemetery
Knoxville National Cemetery is located in Knox County, in the northern section of the city of Knoxville, TN.
Union Maj. Gen. Ambrose E. Burnside established the cemetery during the Civil War after the siege of Knoxville and subsequent Battle of Fort Sander.
Capt. E.B. Chamberlain, the assistant quartermaster, was assigned the task of designing the national cemetery at Knoxville. The first interments were remains exhumed from Cumberland Gap, Concord and many other regional sites. Chamberlain's design and system for recording interments was so effective that, in 1866, Gen. E.G. Whitman, observed that the cemetery had been "the only burial ground of Union soldiers…originally laid out and conducted to the present time in a manner and on a system that render[ed] it suitable to be converted into a national cemetery without material alteration or change, or removal of a single body."
Knoxville National Cemetery was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1996.
Memorial and Monuments The Union Soldier monument, known locally as the Tennessee or Wilder monument, is an unusual, large Gothic Revival-style memorial that was erected between 1890 and 1901.
Notable interments
Veterans, public figures, and citizens of note buried at Knoxville 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:
Sergeant Troy A.
McGill (World War II). He received the Medal of Honor posthumously for service in the U.S. Army, Troop G, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division, in recognition of an intrepid stand in the Los Negros Islands, Admiralty Group, March 4, 1944. McGill was buried in the Air Force Mausoleum Manila No.1, Philippine Islands; his remains were reinterred on January 25, 1951, in Section B, Site 6294.
Private Timothy Spillane (Civil War).
He received the Medal of Honor while serving in the U.S. Army, Company C, 16th Pennsylvania Cavalry, for actions at Hatcher's Run, VA, February 5–7, 1865. Spillane died in 1901 and is buried in Section A, Site 3319.
Other Burials Among those interred at Knoxville National Cemetery is Brigadier General Robert Reese Neyland, retired U.S.
Army. While General Neyland was attending West Point Military Academy, he was an aide to the Commandant of West Point, General Douglas Macarthur. After he assumed his military duties he was assigned as an ROTC instructor at the University of Tennessee, where he also served as football coach. During World War II General Neyland was recalled to serve his country. He was elevated to the rank of Brigadier General at that time and was one of the top-ranking officers in the China-Burma-India field of operation. Brigadier General Robert Reese Neyland and his wife Ada are interred in Section X, Site 16A.
Group Burials: We have several group burials in Knoxville National Cemetery:
13 are interred in Section X, Site 7, 8, 9 A/B from World War II. 5 are interred in Section X, Site 46 A/B from World War II. 3 are interred in Section X, Site 31 A/B from World War II. 6 are interred in Section X, Site 57 A/B from World War II. 4 are interred in Section X, Site 58 A from World War II. 19 are interred in Section C, Site 3255 war period is unknown.
US Confederate Soldier: Captain George M.
Coleman, Company D, 9th Kentucky Regiment, Civil War .
Section D, Site 2538
Eligibility for burial at Knoxville 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
The cemetery is located in the northern section of Knoxville. From the Knoxville Airport, travel Interstate 129 north approximately 12 miles to Interstate 275. Then travel north about two miles and exit at Baxter Avenue East to first stop light (Wray Street). Turn right and travel three blocks to cemetery.
Floral and grounds policy
Cemetery policies are conspicuously posted and readily visible to the public.
Floral arrangements accompanying the casket or urn at the time of burial will be placed on the completed grave. Natural cut flowers may be placed on graves at any time of the year. They will be removed when they become unsightly or when it becomes necessary to facilitate cemetery operations such as mowing.
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 Knoxville National Cemetery.
A National Cemetery System Knoxville 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 Knoxville National Cemetery (by straight-line distance):
- East Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery - Lyons View Pike — Knoxville, TN (5 mi · closed)
- East Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery - Gov. John Sevier Hwy — Knoxville, TN (7 mi · open)
- Kentucky Veterans Cemetery - Southeast — Hyden, KY (87 mi · open)
Nearby veteran-friendly funeral homes
The following funeral homes within a 50-mile radius of Knoxville National Cemetery have demonstrated a commitment to serving veterans through specialized services, VA benefits coordination, or dedicated honors details.
Rose Mortuary Broadway Chapel is a premier funeral home located at 1421 North Broadway Street in Knoxville, TN. The property features well-appointed spaces including broadway chapel, mann heritage chapel, and covered parking. Professional offerings include funeral services, celebration of life, and memorial services, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $1,925. For families preferring a traditional approach, basic burial services begin at $5,735, while direct cremation is available from $1,925. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically Presbyterian and Baptist.
Stevens Mortuary Inc is a premier funeral home located at 1304 Oglewood Avenue in Knoxville, TN. The property features well-appointed spaces including on-site chapel, viewing rooms, and selection rooms. Professional offerings include traditional services, military services, and out-of-state arrangements, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $2,995. For families preferring a traditional approach, basic burial services begin at $5,695, while direct cremation is available from $2,695. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically Christian (Baptist, non-denominational Protestant affiliations).
Berry Funeral Home is a premier funeral home located at 3704 Chapman Highway in Knoxville, TN. The property features well-appointed spaces including flexible event space, large-capacity chapel, and flexible chapel space. Professional offerings include cremation, traditional burial, and celebration of life, 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 $1,500, while direct cremation is available from $895. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically Catholic, Hindu, Muslim, Jewish, Buddhist, and Christian (Protestant).
Berry Highland Memorial is a premier funeral home located at 5315 Kingston Pike in Knoxville, TN. The property features well-appointed spaces including flexible event space, large-capacity chapel, and celebration of life center. Professional offerings include pre-planning, grief support, and celebration of life, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $895. Direct cremation services are provided starting at $895. 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.
Gentry Griffey Funeral Chapel & Crematory is a premier funeral home located at 5301 Fountain Rd. in Knoxville, TN. The property features well-appointed spaces including on-site crematory and chapel. Professional offerings include traditional funerals, cremation services, and memorial services, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $1,495. For families preferring a traditional approach, basic burial services begin at $4,285, while direct cremation is available from $1,495.
Bridges Funeral Home is a premier funeral home located at 5430 Rutledge Pike in Knoxville, TN. The property features well-appointed spaces including two chapels, ample parking (250 spaces), and handicapped accessible facility. Professional offerings include funeral services, cremation services, and burial services, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $2,340. For families preferring a traditional approach, basic burial services begin at $4,840, while direct cremation is available from $2,340.
Weaver Funeral Home is a premier funeral home located at 5815 Western Avenue in Knoxville, TN. The property features well-appointed spaces including flexible event space, celebration of life center, and multiple chapels. Professional offerings include catered events, funeral service video production, and popular funeral music selections, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $3,130. Direct cremation services are provided starting at $2,940. 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 Funeral Traditions, Jewish Funeral Traditions, and Black Funeral Traditions.
Rose Mortuary Mann Heritage Chapel is a premier funeral home located at 6200 Kingston Pke. in Knoxville, TN. The property features well-appointed spaces including chapels, parlors, and covered parking. Professional offerings include funeral services, memorial services, and cremation services, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $3,198. For families preferring a traditional approach, basic burial services begin at $6,475, while direct cremation is available from $3,198. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically Presbyterian, Cumberland Presbyterian, Baptist, and Non-denominational Christian.