Source: National Cemetery Administration · cem.va.gov · scraped May 2026
History of Woodland Cemetery Soldiers' Lot
Woodland Cemetery is located in Cleveland, Ohio, on the east side of the Cuyahoga River. Founded in 1853, Woodland was one of many rural cemeteries built throughout the United States as part of the rural cemetery movement of the mid-19th century. The name “Woodland” came from an imaginative description of the city by Thomas Campbell, a Scottish poet who never visited Cleveland. The cemetery was laid out by Howard Daniels, a notable New York landscape architect who also designed Spring Hill Cemetery in Cincinnati and Druid Hill Park in Baltimore. For many years after its inception, Woodland served as Cleveland's largest public cemetery, as well as open space for a city lacking in parks. Streetcars ran regularly to Woodland Cemetery, which served as the final resting place for many prominent local citizens. Today the cemetery retains most of its original 60 acres and it is owned by the City of Cleveland.
Woodland Cemetery Soldiers' Lot is comprised of two separate parcels that the federal government purchased in 1868 for the Civil War dead. Section 14, lot 48, contains 16 graves in an area measuring 28 feet by 23 feet. Section 10, lots 59 and 60, contain 32 graves in an area 40 feet by 16 feet. The first interments were the remains of 27 Union soldiers removed from West Side Cemetery, Cleveland. There is an unrelated group of Civil War-era burials around the cemetery's central flagpole, but these are not administered by NCA.
Woodland Cemetery, including the soldiers' lot, was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in June 1986.
Notable interments
Veterans, public figures, and citizens of note buried at Woodland Cemetery Soldiers' Lot, listed by section and site as recorded by the National Cemetery Administration.
Under Development.
Eligibility for burial at Woodland Cemetery Soldiers' Lot
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
From the West (Toledo, Sandusky, Elyria): Take Interstate 90 East toward Cleveland, Ohio, Exit 1a. Interstate 90 East becomes Interstate 490 East for two miles. Turn left on East 55th Street for ½ mile. Turn right onto Woodland Avenue for ½ mile to cemetery.
From the East (Mentor, Pennsylvania): Take Interstate 90 West towards Cleveland, Ohio. Merge onto Interstate 77 South exit 172a towards Akron. Take exit 162a toward Woodlawn Avenue/East 30th. Go straight on Orange Avenue OH-87 South. Turn slight left onto OH-87 South (Woodland Avenue) to Cemetery 1¼ miles.
Floral and grounds policy
Contact the cemetery for information regarding the floral/grounds policy.
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 Woodland Soldiers' Lot.
A National Cemetery System Woodland Soldiers' Lot 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 Woodland Cemetery Soldiers' Lot (by straight-line distance):
- Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery — Seville, OH (35 mi · open)
- Ohio Veterans Home Cemetery — Sandusky, OH (54 mi · open)
- Confederate Stockade Cemetery — Sandusky, OH (55 mi · closed)
Nearby veteran-friendly funeral homes
The following funeral homes within a 50-mile radius of Woodland Cemetery Soldiers' Lot have demonstrated a commitment to serving veterans through specialized services, VA benefits coordination, or dedicated honors details.
E F Boyd & Son Inc is a premier funeral home located at 2165 East 89Th Street in Cleveland, OH. The property features well-appointed spaces including on-site chapel, viewing rooms, and limousines. Professional offerings include traditional funerals, cremation, and pre-planning, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $1,960. For families preferring a traditional approach, basic burial services begin at $2,675, while direct cremation is available from $1,783. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically Baptist (Olivet Institutional Baptist Church, Everlasting Baptist Church, Affinity Missionary Baptist Church, Liberty Hill Missionary Baptist Church, Mt. Sinai Baptist Church, Antioch Baptist Church), Jehovah's Witnesses (Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses), Seventh-day Adventist (Southeast Seventh Day Adventist Church), Non-denominational Christian (The Word Church), and Presbyterian (Forest Hill Church).
Golub Funeral Home is a premier funeral home located at 4703 Superior Avenue in Cleveland, OH. The property features well-appointed spaces including on-site chapel, reception hall, and access to suburban facilities. Professional offerings include prearranged services, traditional services, and immediate services, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically Catholic.
Fortuna Funeral Home Inc is a premier funeral home located at 5316 Fleet Avenue in Cleveland, OH. With deep roots in the community, they provide a peaceful and accommodating environment to honor the memory of loved ones.
Brown-Forward Funeral Home is a premier funeral home located at 17022 Chagrin Blvd. in Shaker Heights, OH. The property features well-appointed spaces including chapel and reception hall. Professional offerings include immediate need, traditional services, and cremation services, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $2,430. Direct cremation services are provided starting at $3,700. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, Christianity, and Native American religions. The firm's dedication to service is reflected in their 4.8-star Google rating across 20 reviews.
Craciun Berry Funeral Home is a premier funeral home located at 7200 Detroit Avenue in Cleveland, OH. The property features well-appointed spaces including celebration of life center, modern funeral home, and flexible chapel space. Professional offerings include funeral services, cremation services, and pre-planning, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $1,745. For families preferring a traditional approach, basic burial services begin at $5,695, while direct cremation is available from $1,745. 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, Protestant Funeral Traditions, Christian Funeral Traditions, Jewish Funeral Traditions, and Black Funeral Traditions.
Thomas G. Smith Funeral Home is a premier funeral home located at 14601 Saint Clair Ave. in Cleveland, OH. With deep roots in the community, they provide a peaceful and accommodating environment to honor the memory of loved ones. Direct cremation services are provided starting at $1,160. The firm's dedication to service is reflected in their 4.3-star Google rating across 27 reviews.
Berkowitz-Kumin-Bookatz Memorial Chapel is a premier funeral home located at 1985 South Taylor Rd. in Cleveland Heights, OH. The property features well-appointed spaces including large-capacity chapel, modern funeral home, and flexible event space. Professional offerings include jewish funeral services, traditional funeral services, and modern funeral services, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $1,840. For families preferring a traditional approach, basic burial services begin at $2,675, while direct cremation is available from $1,840. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically Jewish (Orthodox), Jewish (Conservative), Jewish (Reform), Jewish (Secular), and Interfaith. The firm's dedication to service is reflected in their 4.6-star Google rating across 165 reviews.
Tomon & Sons Funeral Homes is a premier funeral home located at 7327 Pearl Road in Middleburg Heights, OH. The property features well-appointed spaces including ample parking, luncheon facilities, and handicapped accessible. Professional offerings include traditional funeral burials, personalized cremation services, and green burials, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $2,205. Direct cremation services are provided starting at $2,205. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically Catholic.