Chalmette National Cemetery's Frequently Asked Questions

The Chalmette National Cemetery has approximately 16,000 interments of veterans from the War of 1812 up to the Vietnam War.

NPS Photo/K. Nugent

What are the hours and days of operation at Chalmette National Cemetery?

Follow this link for hours and days of operation. The Chalmette Battlefield Visitor Center does not have the same operating hours.

Is this cemetery the oldest national cemetery?

Chalmette National Cemetery is not the oldest national cemetery, but it is the oldest in-ground cemetery in the New Orleans area. On July 17, 1862, President Abraham Lincoln approved legislation establishing national cemeteries for armed forces that fought for the United States. Chalmette National Cemetery was established in May of 1864.

What is the earliest burial at Chalmette National Cemetery?

The earliest burial was shortly after the national cemetery was established in 1864. The first burials were disinterred soldiers from local hospital cemeteries in New Orleans. These reburials continued until 1866. From 1867 to 1868, over 7,000 internments took place from surrounding cemeteries.

Are there special rules about visiting Chalmette National Cemetery?

Yes, out of respect for those buried here, please obey the following rules:

• No pets are allowed, not even on the roadway or gravel trail. As always, service animals are welcome anywhere.

• No picnics, sports, or games such as jogging, skating, and bicycling are allowed in the cemetery.

• No political gatherings are allowed in the cemetery.

• No relic hunting is allowed; the possession or use of metal detectors is forbidden.

How do I find if someone is buried at Chalmette National Cemetery?

The list of headstones in Chalmette National Cemetery is being updated. If you need information immediately, email the park.

I noticed a spelling error on a headstone; how can I get it corrected?

If a headstone has a misspelled name or silimar error, contact the Department of Veterans Affairs by visiting their national cemeteries website.

What kind of grave decorations are permitted?

Fresh cut flowers are allowed at any time. Artificial flowers and potted plants are permitted 10 days before and after Easter Sunday, and 10 days before and after Memorial Day. Christmas wreaths and similar arrangements are allowed December 1 through January 20. Decorations may not be secured or attached to headstones, markers, or monuments. Withered and faded decorations will be removed by park staff.

I'm a veteran. May I be buried at Chalmette National Cemetery?

Chalmette National Cemetery is closed to new interments; space is no longer available. Exceptions may apply if burial space has already been identified or set aside. Visit the national cemeteries website of the Department of Veterans Affairs for more information.

How many people are buried at Chalmette National Cemetery?

The estimated number is close to 16,000. Numbers on stones show 15,228, but there are many mass burials of unknown numbers. As of winter 2025, there are 15,300 headstones, obelisks, or other markers in the national cemetery.

What became of the Confederate dead that once were buried in this national cemetery?

There were 132 Confederate prisoners of war interred in Chalmette National Cemetery. The Ladies Benevolent Association of New Orleans received permission to remove the Confederate remains in 1868. They were reinterred in Cypress Grove Cemetery in New Orleans.

Are there troops from other countries buried in the national cemetery?

One British seaman is buried in Section # 171 near the brick wall. Able Seaman Watcyn G. Jones died on May 16, 1943, on his ship the HMS Hunter in the port of New Orleans. Sylvester Gredzinski, a Canadian, was an Instrument Repairer in the Canadian Air Force. Gredzinski died on August 17, 1941; he is buried in Section #170, Grave #14179. Pedro Floresca, a veteran from the Philippine Islands, died December 14, 1939. He is buried in Section # 163, Grave # 14044.

What became of the British soldiers after the Battle of New Orleans?

They are not buried in the national cemetery. There is no conclusive evidence where they are buried. One reference claims a British surgeon stated that he helped dig mass graves at the Villere Plantation. Only three deceased soldiers were taken back to England: Major General Edward Pakenham, General Samuel Gibbs and Lieutenant Colonel Robert Rennie.

Where is the grave of the woman who disguised herself as a male Union soldier?

Rosetta Wakeman disguised herself as a man under the name of Lyons Wakeman. Wakeman joined the New York Volunteer Infantry. She was stationed at nearby Jackson Barracks where she died of dysentery in 1865. She is in Section # 52, Grave # 4066.