Source: National Cemetery Administration · cem.va.gov · scraped May 2026
History of New Albany National Cemetery
New Albany National Cemetery is located New Albany, IN, just across the Ohio River from Louisville, KY. Founded just below the Falls of the Ohio, New Albany was first settled in the early 1800s by farmers who recognized the town's potential as a transportation and ship-building hub. The first settlers in the region named the territory after the capital of their home state, New York. Prior to construction of the locks on the Louisville side of the river, New Albany was one of the largest cities in the Midwest due to its river location. Riverboat building and glass manufacturing were important industries. In 1858, Ashbel P. Willard, governor of Indiana and a New Albany resident, dedicated the Floyd County Fairground, and the following year the Indiana State Fair came to town. During the Civil War, the fairground was converted into Camp Noble where local regiments were mustered. New Albany became a strategic supply and training center for the Union troops fighting in the South, and a hospital center for the wounded being sent north, as well as part of the Underground Railroad for slaves escaping from the South.
New Albany National Cemetery was established in 1862 to accommodate the burial of soldiers posted at the training center. It was also intended for the reinterment of Union soldiers who died in local hospitals and were buried in nearby gravesites and soldier's plots. Most of the reinterments came from West Virginia, Virginia, Kentucky and Indiana. The original 5.5 acres were purchased from Dr. Charles Bowman in early 1862. By November 1870, more than 2,000 known dead and 698 unknowns were buried at New Albany. According to a 1870s inspection report, the African-American men of the U.S. Colored Troops were buried in segregated sections from their fellow soldiers.
Today a suburban residential community envelops the cemetery, which was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1999.
Notable interments
Veterans, public figures, and citizens of note buried at New Albany National Cemetery, listed by section and site as recorded by the National Cemetery Administration.
Private Alonzo Ash (Civil War).
Ash (unknown–1865) holds the distinction of being the first interment, being interred on March 10, 1865.
Section B, Site 1016
LTC William Baynard Onley, Jr.
(World War II). Onley (1922–1991) was the son of a Marine Corps officer who served for thirty years in both world wars. He served in the Battle of Iwo Jima. Onley was married to Francine L. Onley, and their daughter Patricia Hock worked for the New Albany National Cemetery for over 20 years.
Section G, Site 302
SP4 Carlos E.
Wilcox, IV (Iraq). Wilcox (1982–2009) was from Cottage Grove, MN, and enlisted in the National Guard. He was deployed to Iraq in May 2009 and died during an attack on Basra. He was one of three National Guard soldiers who were killed during that attack and was only 27 years old.
Section F, Site 135
Eligibility for burial at New Albany 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
Take Interstate 65 North to US 62 (Spring Street) West to Silver Street. Travel North on Silver Street to Ekin Avenue and then West on Ekin Avenue to the 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 New Albany National Cemetery.
A National Cemetery System New Albany 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 New Albany National Cemetery (by straight-line distance):
- Cave Hill National Cemetery — Louisville, KY (6 mi · closed)
- Zachary Taylor National Cemetery — Louisville, KY (9 mi · closed)
- Kentucky Veterans Cemetery - Central — Radcliff, KY (31 mi · open)
Nearby veteran-friendly funeral homes
The following funeral homes within a 50-mile radius of New Albany National Cemetery have demonstrated a commitment to serving veterans through specialized services, VA benefits coordination, or dedicated honors details.
Scott Funeral Home is a premier funeral home located at 2515 Veterans Pkwy. in Jeffersonville, IN. The property features well-appointed spaces including on-site chapel, visitation areas, and fireside suite. Professional offerings include burial, cremation, and funeral service, 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 $3,450, while direct cremation is available from $2,800. The standard basic services fee for the funeral director and staff is $2,700. Additional typical expenses include embalming ($1,350) and use of facilities for viewing ($750).
E M Coots' & Sons Inc is a premier funeral home located at 120 West Maple Street in Jeffersonville, IN. The property features well-appointed spaces including over 17,000 square feet of space, two large visitation chapels, and ada accessible building and restrooms. Professional offerings include traditional services, direct cremation, and personalized services, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $2,895. For families preferring a traditional approach, basic burial services begin at $2,895, while direct cremation is available from $2,895.
Gehlbach & Royse Funeral Home is a premier funeral home located at 318 East Chestnut St. in Corydon, IN. The property features well-appointed spaces including chapel, selection room, and lounge. Professional offerings include traditional burial, cremation, and celebrations of life, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $1,430. For families preferring a traditional approach, basic burial services begin at $4,500, while direct cremation is available from $1,430. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically Catholic, United Methodist, Presbyterian, and Christian.
Perryman's Mortuary is a premier funeral home located at 3237 West Broadway in Louisville, KY. The property features well-appointed spaces including lot parking, covered handicap access, and viewing/visitation areas. General services start at $2,195. For families preferring a traditional approach, basic burial services begin at $4,845, while direct cremation is available from $2,195.
Hathaway & Clark Funeral Home, Inc. is a premier funeral home located at 2718 Virginia Ave. in Louisville, KY. With deep roots in the community, they provide a peaceful and accommodating environment to honor the memory of loved ones. General services start at $1,606. Direct cremation services are provided starting at $1,256.
G.C. Williams Funeral Home, Inc. is a premier funeral home located at 1935 West Broadway St. in Louisville, KY. The property features well-appointed spaces including on-site chapel, viewing rooms, and apartment space for mortuary science students. Professional offerings include grief support, pre-planning, and funeral arrangements, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $1,400. For families preferring a traditional approach, basic burial services begin at $4,200, while direct cremation is available from $1,400. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically Baptist.
Hathaway & Clark Funeral Home is a premier funeral home located at 2718 Virginia Avenue in Louisville, KY. The property features well-appointed spaces including chapel. Professional offerings include burial, cremation, and funeral service, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $1,256. For families preferring a traditional approach, basic burial services begin at $3,400, while direct cremation is available from $1,256.
Cave Hill Cemetery Company is a premier funeral home located at 701 Baxter Avenue in Louisville, KY. The property features well-appointed spaces including scattering garden, grinstead columbarium, and chapel columbarium. Professional offerings include cremation memorialization, mausoleums, and monuments, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors.