Source: National Cemetery Administration · cem.va.gov · scraped May 2026
History of Raleigh National Cemetery
Created as a planned city in 1792, the area now known as Raleigh, NC, was a handful of sparse settlements as early as the 1760s. Enterprising landholders like Isaac Hunter and Joel Lane owned large tracts of farmland and operated taverns near their homes to accommodate travelers along the main north-south route cutting through central North Carolina. Wake Crossroads, as it was called, provided a foundation for Raleigh's development.
By the late 1780s, North Carolina's general assembly recognized the need for a permanent location to conduct state government. Prior to this, the state capital had been hosted by several existing cities. Rather than select one of these communities, the legislature decided to build a new and more-centrally located city. Eight commissioners were appointed to choose a location for the new capital. On March 30, 1792, they purchased 1,000 acres from Joel Lane and a plan was quickly developed.
The city grew slowly. The original state house, built in 1794, provided a physical location for government business and a center for the community's social life. Over time, a number of inns, taverns, dry-goods stores, coffin houses and brickyards were established to support the burgeoning city. Until the Civil War, these businesses catered mostly to retail customers. Fayetteville Street became Raleigh's commercial core as storefronts began to replace residences along the blocks south of the State Capitol. In addition to downtown commerce, a handful of mills and new ventures, such as the Raleigh & Gaston Railroad, completed the composition of the early city.
Raleigh emerged from the Civil War physically unscathed and a new era unfolded. An effort to establish cotton mills and other industries here failed. However, a plethora of family-owned businesses flourished and dominated the downtown. In the 19th century, Raleigh witnessed a wave of publishing enterprises from newspapers and printers to bookbinders. As the century progressed, innovations including the Raleigh Street Railway, a waterworks and electric lights fundamentally altered the city's way of life.
The cemetery, located in a relatively isolated area, contains a large Georgian Revival lodge and is defined by a masonry enclosure wall. Raleigh National Cemetery was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1997.
Monuments and Memorials The Artillery Monument is a black, wrought iron cannon mounted on a cement pedestal donated in the late 1890s.
Notable interments
Veterans, public figures, and citizens of note buried at Raleigh 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 First Class William Maud Bryant (Vietnam).
William Maud Bryant was born in February 1933 and enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1955. Sergeant First Class Bryant served in Company A, 5th Special Forces Group, 1st Special Forces, and he re-enlisted as late as April 1968. Bryant was killed in action at Long Khanh Province on March 24, 1969. He was awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously for courage in combat and selfless regard for his comrades. Bryant is buried in Section 15, Site 1227.
Other Burials North Carolinian Millie Dunn Veasey was born in 1918 and graduated from Washington High School in Raleigh.
She enlisted in 1942 and joined the "six triple eight" battalion, the only all-female, all-black unit to serve overseas during World War II. Dunn arrived in Glasgow, Scotland, in early 1945 among the 800 or so "women in technicolor" who overcame prejudice serving in the Women's Army Corps—first stationed in Birmingham, England, then Rouen, France. Staff Sergeant Dunn was discharged in 1945. She married Warren Veasey in 1949, graduated from St. Augustine College in 1953, and became president of the local chapter of the NAACP (1965–1968). She was honored by the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation for her service and life-long advocacy of education and civil rights. Veasey died March 9, 2018, at age 100, and is buried in Raleigh National Cemetery .
Section 21, Site 215
Eligibility for burial at Raleigh 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 southeast section of Raleigh. From Raleigh/Durham International Airport, travel Route 40 east to the Rock Quarry Road exit. Turn left and continue approximately 1.5 miles to the cemetery on your right.
Floral and grounds policy
Our floral and grounds policy exists to reflect the honor and respect we hold for our Nation's Veterans, by preserving the dignity and solemnity of their final resting place.
These items are welcome:
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 Raleigh National Cemetery.
A National Cemetery System Raleigh 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 Raleigh National Cemetery (by straight-line distance):
- Sandhills State Veterans Cemetery — Spring Lake, NC (47 mi · open)
- Eastern Carolina State Veterans Cemetery — Goldsboro, NC (50 mi · open)
- Danville National Cemetery — Danville, VA (70 mi · unknown)
Nearby veteran-friendly funeral homes
The following funeral homes within a 50-mile radius of Raleigh National Cemetery have demonstrated a commitment to serving veterans through specialized services, VA benefits coordination, or dedicated honors details.
Steven L Lyons Funeral Home is a premier funeral home located at 1515 New Bern Avenue in Raleigh, NC. The property features well-appointed spaces including individual reposing rooms. Professional offerings include funeral services, cremation services, and pre-planning services, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $525. For families preferring a traditional approach, basic burial services begin at $5,025, while direct cremation is available from $1,620. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church, Baptist, Pentecostal (Apostolic Faith), and Christian (Non-denominational).
Lea Funeral Home Inc is a premier funeral home located at 2500 Poole Road in Raleigh, NC. The property features well-appointed spaces including funeral home, chapel, and community center. Professional offerings include obituary listings, grief support, and general funeral services, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $2,715. For families preferring a traditional approach, basic burial services begin at $5,395, while direct cremation is available from $2,715. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically Baptist and Catholic.
Carolina Cremation Services is a premier funeral home located at 300 Saint Marys Street in Raleigh, NC. The property features well-appointed spaces including flexible event space, flexible chapel space, and chapel. Professional offerings include funeral services, 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 $5,395, while direct cremation is available from $3,645. 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.
Bryan-Lee Funeral Homes is a premier funeral home located at 831 Wake Forest Rd in Raleigh, NC. With deep roots in the community, they provide a peaceful and accommodating environment to honor the memory of loved ones. The firm's dedication to service is reflected in their 4.7-star Google rating across 44 reviews.
Lea Funeral Home is a premier funeral home located at 2500 Poole Road | in Raleigh, NC. With deep roots in the community, they provide a peaceful and accommodating environment to honor the memory of loved ones.
Bryan-Lee Funeral Home is a premier funeral home located at 831 Wake Forest Road in Raleigh, NC. The property features well-appointed spaces including raleigh location (12,000 sq ft), garner location, and angier location. Professional offerings include individualized funeral service, preplanning, and green burial, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $2,195. For families preferring a traditional approach, basic burial services begin at $4,195, while direct cremation is available from $2,195.
L Harold Poole Funeral Service is a premier funeral home located at 944 Old Knight Road in Knightdale, NC. With deep roots in the community, they provide a peaceful and accommodating environment to honor the memory of loved ones.
L. Harold Poole Funeral Service & Crematory is a premier funeral home located at 944 Old Knight Rd. in Knightdale, NC. The property features well-appointed spaces including large chapel, reception lobby, and casket and urn showcase. Professional offerings include funeral services, cremation services, and pre-planning services, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $1,875. For families preferring a traditional approach, basic burial services begin at $5,800, while direct cremation is available from $1,875. The firm's dedication to service is reflected in their 4.9-star Google rating across 56 reviews.