Source: National Cemetery Administration · cem.va.gov · scraped May 2026
History of Louisiana National Cemetery
Louisiana National Cemetery is located in East Baton Rouge Parish approximately six miles from Zachary, LA, and less than two miles from Port Hudson National Cemetery. Opened in 2012, it is an expansion of the latter Civil War-era national cemetery, which closed the same year.
More than five nations in the last 300 years have claimed the land occupied by Louisiana National Cemetery. French explorers first set foot East Baton Rough Parish in 1699 and recorded activities of the Bayou Goula and Houma Indian tribes. Several other American tribes — the Choctaw, Chitimacha, Coushatta, and Quapaw — lived there until the U.S. government forcibly removed them, per the Indian Removal Act of 1830.
The French constructed an outpost in 1718 near present-day Baton Rouge to protect northbound traders heading home after selling their goods in New Orleans. At the end of the French and Indian War, the 1763 Treaty of Paris transferred this territory to English ownership. The British Army occupied Baton Rouge during the American Revolution.
Spain declared war on England in 1779. Marching north from New Orleans, Spanish forces captured Baton Rouge and defeated the English at Fort Butte, just west of the city. The Spanish were the third European nation to hold Baton Rouge and the surrounding territory. By 1781, lands from Louisiana to west Florida were under Spanish control. Spain ceded much of its North American holdings to France in 1802; France, in turn, in 1803 sold it to the United States as the Louisiana Purchase. However, the area between southern Louisiana and Florida remained contentious for a few more years. In 1810, local settlers overthrew the Spanish who remained in control, and declared independence as the West Florida Republic. Louisiana annexed the territory a few months later. East Baton Rouge Parish was created during the annexation to Louisiana.
Louisiana became a state on April 8, 1812, and it prospered early on. The port city of New Orleans and a vast network of rivers supported an easy economy based on trading. Fertile land made it one of the richest regions in North America. However, the wealth and agricultural economy was dependent upon intense human labor. As a result, Louisiana seceded from the Union on the eve of the Civil War, January 26, 1861. Federal troops controlled Baton Rouge for most of the war, however, from May 1862 until the Confederate surrender in 1865.
The most noteworthy Civil War battle in the vicinity of East Baton Rouge Parish occurred at Port Hudson, the southernmost Confederate bastion on the Mississippi River. For this reason it was strategically critical to both sides. The town of Port Hudson was ringed by artillery redoubts and trenches that protected a 6,800-man garrison commanded by General Franklin Gardner. In March 1863, Union forces began to assemble outside Port Hudson; by May, 30,000 troops under General Nathaniel Banks were ready for battle. The Union Navy, led by Admiral David G. Farragut, attacked from the Mississippi River on May 14. Direct assaults twice failed to take the Confederate defenses on May 27 and June 14, 1863. The town of Port Hudson surrendered on July 9 after a 48-day siege, and after Gardner learned of the surrender of Vicksburg upriver. Port Hudson National Cemetery was established in 1867 to bury federal dead from this event.
Today, this area is one of the best-preserved Civil War battlefields in the country. The breastworks, gun pits and trenches remain largely unchanged since the battle. In 1974, Port Hudson State Historic Site, which encompasses Port Hudson National Cemetery, was designated a National Historic Landmark.
As the parish residents focused on rebuilding their lives after the Civil War, little changed in the 19th century. The parish's location on the Mississippi River attracted industry early in the 20th century. Following World War II, thousands of families flocked to East Baton Rouge Parish from across the nation to obtain new, highly-skilled industrial jobs created in the wake of war manufacturing. This economic boom elevated Baton Rouge to one of the South's leading industrial, educational, and business centers. As the state capitol city grew, and so did the parish. More than two-thirds of the Baton Rouge population lives immediately outside the limits of Baton Rouge City and in unincorporated areas of the parish.
NCA purchased the 103.8-acre site of Louisiana National Cemetery in 2011. Since at least 1941, the property consisted of agricultural fields and woodlands. Forested areas contained sweet gum, American elm, red maple and water oak. Although small rural homes were located along East Mt. Pleasant-Zachary Road in the early 20th century, evidence of this occupation is gone.
Louisiana National Cemetery opened October 24, 2012, to serve the estimated 293,000 veterans and eligible family members in the parish and surrounding area.
Notable interments
Veterans, public figures, and citizens of note buried at Louisiana National Cemetery, listed by section and site as recorded by the National Cemetery Administration.
Under Development.
Eligibility for burial at Louisiana 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
Cemetery is located seven miles West of Zachary, LA., 1/4 mile off US 61 Hwy.
From Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport, Ryan Field, take airbase road (left) 1/2 mile to 1-110 North and travel six miles to US 61 Hwy (North). Drive North seven miles to Junction of West Mount Pleasant/Zachary Road (Hwy 64) which is a controlled intersection. Take left onto Mount Pleasant Road. The cemetery is on the left approximately 1/4 mile.
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
We are developing educational content for this national cemetery, and will post new materials as they become available. Visit the Veterans Legacy Program and NCA History Program for additional information. Thank you for your interest.
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Nearest cemeteries
The three closest veteran cemeteries to Louisiana National Cemetery (by straight-line distance):
- Port Hudson National Cemetery — Zachary, LA (2 mi · unknown)
- Baton Rouge National Cemetery — Baton Rouge, LA (14 mi · closed)
- Natchez National Cemetery — Natchez, MS (65 mi · open)
Nearby veteran-friendly funeral homes
The following funeral homes within a 50-mile radius of Louisiana National Cemetery have demonstrated a commitment to serving veterans through specialized services, VA benefits coordination, or dedicated honors details.
Church Funeral Services & Crematory is a premier funeral home located at 5535 Superior Drive in Baton Rouge, LA. The property features well-appointed spaces including offices. Professional offerings include burial services, cremation, and direct cremation, 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 $2,895, while direct cremation is available from $1,495. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically Catholic, Pentecostal, and Christian. The firm's dedication to service is reflected in their 4.9-star Google rating across 71 reviews.
Tangi Crematory is a premier funeral home located at 1311 University Ave. in Hammond, LA. The property features well-appointed spaces including crematory and office. Professional offerings include funerals, cremation, and traditional burial, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $2,295. For families preferring a traditional approach, basic burial services begin at $5,595, while direct cremation is available from $2,295. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically Catholic, Assemblies of God, and Baptist.
Brandon G. Thompson Funeral Home is a premier funeral home located at 1190 Highway 51 in Ponchatoula, LA. The property features well-appointed spaces including on-site chapel, reception hall, and offices. Professional offerings include funeral services, cremation services, and burial services, 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 $3,995, while direct cremation is available from $2,995. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically Baptist and Catholic.
Pellerin Funeral Home is a premier funeral home located at 112 New Market Street in Saint Martinville, LA. The property features well-appointed spaces including sitting room, casket display area, and urns display area. Professional offerings include funeral services, cremation, and traditional burial, 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 $6,660, while direct cremation is available from $2,995. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically Catholic, Baptist, and Non-denominational Christian.
McKneely Funeral Home of Amite & Kentwood is a premier funeral home located at 110 East Factory St. in Amite, LA. The property features well-appointed spaces including chapel facilities for viewing and ceremony, reception space available, and handicap accessible. Professional offerings include funeral service, memorial service, and grief support, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $2,870. For families preferring a traditional approach, basic burial services begin at $6,630, while direct cremation is available from $2,870. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically Christian (Non-denominational/Pentecostal).
Brown Funeral Home is a premier funeral home located at 901 Highway 24 in Gloster, MS. The property features well-appointed spaces including viewing/visitation facilities, funeral ceremony facilities, and memorial service facilities. Professional offerings include monuments and obituaries, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $2,800. For families preferring a traditional approach, basic burial services begin at $5,300, while direct cremation is available from $2,800. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically Catholic.
Melancon Funeral Home is a premier funeral home located at 289 Church Street in Grand Coteau, LA. The property features well-appointed spaces including carencro main location, carencro chapel location, and opelousas location. Professional offerings include funeral services, cremation services, and catholic mass reading & music selections, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $1,930. For families preferring a traditional approach, basic burial services begin at $5,494, while direct cremation is available from $1,930. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically Catholic.
H.C. Alexander Funeral Home is a premier funeral home located at 821 Fourth Street in Norco, LA. The property features well-appointed spaces including funeral home locations and on-site chapel. Professional offerings include funeral services, cremation services, and monuments, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $2,020. For families preferring a traditional approach, basic burial services begin at $6,495, while direct cremation is available from $2,020. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically Southern Baptist, Assembly of God, Methodist, Pentecostal, and Church of Christ.