Source: National Cemetery Administration · cem.va.gov · scraped May 2026
History of Memphis National Cemetery
Memphis originated as a campground of the Chickasaw nation. The first European explorer, Hernando De Soto, arrived in 1541 and claimed the territory for Spain. More than a century later, in 1682, the French would also claim the land on behalf of King Louis XIV. It was not until 1797 that the United States took possession of the territory and erected Fort Adams. In 1818, the Chickasaw signed a treaty granting much of what is West Tennessee to the United States. A year later, three Nashville speculators founded the city of Memphis: John Overton, James Winchester and Andrew Jackson, future president of the United States.
Once Memphis fell under Union control, it became a convenient location to care for the sick and wounded troops flooding in from surrounding areas. General hospitals capable of caring for thousands of men at a time were set up in and around the city. A board of officers who purchased 32 acres northeast of the city chose the cemetery site. It was originally known as Mississippi River National Cemetery. At the end of the war, burials included reinterments from camps and hospitals throughout the region.
Memphis has the second-largest group of unknowns interred in any national cemetery. The large quantity of unknowns may be attributed to the long interval between battlefield burial and reinterment at Memphis National Cemetery. Often, the crude wood markers that identified original burials had been removed or deteriorated to the point where they were no longer legible. As soldiers were not required to carry personal identification, it was often difficult to determine the identity of the remains.
Memphis National Cemetery is also the burial place of the victims of one of the nation's most tragic maritime disasters—the explosion of the USS Sultana. On April 23, 1865, after undergoing boiler repairs, the vessel had picked up a number of Union prisoners of war released from Andersonville prison in Georgia and Cahaba prison in Alabama. The captain, a part owner of the vessel, was paid $5 a head for enlisted men and $10 for officers, so he did not baulk when the steamer was overloaded with passengers. The USS Sultana was certified to carry 376 passengers, but it carried well over 2,000 soldiers anxious to return home.
The steamer left Vicksburg and reached Memphis on the evening of April 26, where the passengers heard the news of President Lincoln's assassination. From Memphis, the ship stopped at a coaling station on the Arkansas side of the river, bound for Cairo, IL. About 2 a.m. a boiler exploded and the blast toppled the smokestack and cut the deck in two. Many men were killed instantly by the fire and steam, others began going over the side. Many of the wounded were put over the side to avoid the inferno, only to drown miles away. Only about 800 persons survived.
Monuments and Memorials The granite Minnesota Monument was erected in 1916 by the state of Minnesota in memory of its soldiers who fought in the Civil War and were buried at the cemetery. John K. Daniels of St. Paul, MN, is the sculptor. Daniels also did three other Minnesota monuments, found at Little Rock (1920), Nashville and Jefferson Barracks (1922) national cemeteries. Seven Minnesota monuments were commissioned in all for national cemeteries during the post-Civil War years. The others are located at the national cemeteries at Vicksburg, MS (1906–1907); Shiloh, TN (1908); and Marion, IN (1913).
The Illinois Monument is a granite-and-bronze sarcophagus commissioned by the state of Illinois. Dedicated in 1929, it depicts a soldier in repose.
Notable interments
Veterans, public figures, and citizens of note buried at Memphis 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 James H.
Robinson (Civil War). He served in the U.S. Army, Company B, 3rd Michigan Cavalry and received the Medal of Honor posthumously. Robinson died July 26, 1864, and is buried in Section H, Site 4131.
Eligibility for burial at Memphis 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 northeastern section of Memphis. From Memphis International Airport, travel north on Parking toward Winchester Road. Turn left onto Airport Exit. Turn slight left to take ramp toward Interstate 240. Merge onto Plough Road. Merge onto Interstate 240 east toward Nashville. Travel Interstate 240 east 15 miles to exit 8B (Jackson Avenue South). Note that Interstate 240 east will change to Interstate 40 west. Travel Jackson Avenue 1.5 miles to Townes Avenue. The cemetery entrance is immediately on your left.
Floral and grounds policy
Cemetery policies are conspicuously posted at the main entrance to the cemetery.
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.
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 Memphis National Cemetery.
A National Cemetery System Memphis 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 Memphis National Cemetery (by straight-line distance):
- West Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery — Memphis, TN (14 mi · open)
- Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery at Birdeye — Birdeye, AR (44 mi · open)
- Corinth National Cemetery — Corinth, MS (83 mi · open)
Nearby veteran-friendly funeral homes
The following funeral homes within a 50-mile radius of Memphis National Cemetery have demonstrated a commitment to serving veterans through specialized services, VA benefits coordination, or dedicated honors details.
M. J. Edwards Stage Road Chapel is a premier funeral home located at 4445 Stage Road in Memphis, TN. The property features well-appointed spaces including large-capacity chapel, modern funeral home, and flexible chapel space. Professional offerings include funeral services, cremation, and celebration of life, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $1,395. For families preferring a traditional approach, basic burial services begin at $4,895, while direct cremation is available from $1,395. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically Jewish and Multicultural (accommodating various faiths and cultures).
Serenity Funeral Home & Cremation Society is a premier funeral home located at 1632 Sycamore View Road in Memphis, TN. The property features well-appointed spaces including traditional funeral home, cremation funeral home, and indoor columbarium niches. Professional offerings include funeral services, cremation services, and permanent memorialization, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $1,395. For families preferring a traditional approach, basic burial services begin at $2,390, while direct cremation is available from $1,395.
Memorial Park Funeral Home & Cemetery is a premier funeral home located at 5668 Poplar Ave. in Memphis, TN. The property features well-appointed spaces including memorial park cemetery and crystal shrine grotto. Professional offerings include full-service funerals, cremation, and cemetery services, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $1,000. Direct cremation services are provided starting at $3,495. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically All Religions (as stated by the funeral home) and Judeo-Christian (themes in Crystal Shrine Grotto).
R. S. Lewis & Sons Funeral Home is a premier funeral home located at 374 Vance Avenue in Memphis, TN. The property features well-appointed spaces including chapel. Professional offerings include traditional funeral services, personalized funeral services, and special limousine & transport services, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. For families preferring a traditional approach, basic burial services begin at $3,495, while direct cremation is available from $1,195.
Memorial Park Funeral Home and Cemetery is a premier funeral home located at 5668 Poplar Avenue in Memphis, TN. With deep roots in the community, they provide a peaceful and accommodating environment to honor the memory of loved ones.
Collierville Funeral Home is a premier funeral home located at 534 West Poplar in Collierville, TN. The property features well-appointed spaces including flexible event space, large-capacity chapel, and celebration of life center. Professional offerings include traditional funerals, cremation, and celebration of life, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. For families preferring a traditional approach, basic burial services begin at $3,900, while direct cremation is available from $3,845. 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. The firm's dedication to service is reflected in their 4.8-star Google rating across 24 reviews.
Twin Oaks Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home is a premier funeral home located at 290 Goodman Road East in Southaven, MS. With deep roots in the community, they provide a peaceful and accommodating environment to honor the memory of loved ones. For families preferring a traditional approach, basic burial services begin at $6,610, while direct cremation is available from $2,495. The firm's dedication to service is reflected in their 4.3-star Google rating across 27 reviews.
Twin Oaks Funeral Home is a premier funeral home located at 290 Goodman Rd. E in Southaven, MS. The property features well-appointed spaces including memorial gardens cemetery, chapel, and lounge. Professional offerings include burial, cremation, and traditional funeral service followed by cremation, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $2,495. For families preferring a traditional approach, basic burial services begin at $2,495, while direct cremation is available from $2,495. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically Non-Denominational. The firm's dedication to service is reflected in their 4.3-star Google rating across 27 reviews.