Cemeteries in District of Columbia
Our directory lists 44 cemeteries in District of Columbia, spread across 1 county and 18 cities and towns. Identified types include 19 church cemeteries (43%), 7 Catholic cemeteries (16%) and 6 Jewish cemeteries (14%). Washington has the highest number of listings of any city in the state, with 18. The earliest recorded establishment year among District of Columbia listings is 1852. 14 listings include a phone number or website.
Featured cemeteries in District of Columbia
- Congressional Cemetery1801 E Street Southeast, WashingtonCemetery
- Mount Olivet Cemetery1300 Bladensburg Road Northeast, WashingtonCemetery
- Oak Hill Cemetery3001 R Street Northwest, WashingtonCemetery
- Prospect Hill Cemetery2201 North Capitol Street Northwest, WashingtonCemetery
- Washington Hebrew Congregation Cemetery1380 Alabama Avenue Southeast, WashingtonJewish cemetery
- Saint Mary's Cemetery2121 Lincoln Road Northeast, WashingtonCatholic cemetery
- Woodlawn Cemetery4611 Benning Road, WashingtonCemetery
- Battleground National Cemetery6625 Georgia Avenue Northwest, WashingtonNational cemetery
- Rock Creek CemeteryRock Creek Church Road Northwest, WashingtonChurch cemetery
- The Glenwood Cemetery2219 Lincoln Road Northeast, WashingtonCemetery
- United States Soldiers' and Airmen's Home National Cemetery21 Harewood Road Northwest, WashingtonNational cemetery
- Mount Zion Cemetery2501 Mill Rd NW, WashingtonCemetery
Ranked by how complete the record is (address, contact details, founding year), not by size or popularity.
Cemetery types in District of Columbia
Religious cemeteries
How District of Columbia compares
District of Columbia has 0.6 listed cemeteries per 10,000 residents, against 5.3 for the United States, which puts it 49th of 51 states and DC on this measure. Census estimates count 4,985 deaths here in 2024, about 122 for each of the 41 funeral homes we know of (48th of 51 by number of funeral homes).
| Measure | District of Columbia | the United States | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cemeteries per 10,000 residents | 0.6 | 5.3 | 49th of 51 |
| Cemeteries per 100 square miles | 72.0 | 5.1 | 2nd of 51 |
| Deaths in 2024 (estimate) | 4,985 | 3,086,925 | 51st of 51 |
| Deaths in 2024 per listed cemetery | 113.3 | 17.2 | 3rd of 51 |
| Funeral homes | 41 | 21,457 | 48th of 51 |
| Deaths in 2024 per funeral home | 122 | 144 | 32nd of 51 |
| Cremation providers | 3 | 3,611 | 51st of 51 |
| Monument dealers | 0 | 1,091 | 50th of 51 |
| Notable burials | 1,261 | 68,091 | 15th of 51 |
Population and deaths: US Census Bureau Vintage 2024 estimates. Land area: 2020 Census Gazetteer. Funeral homes, cremation providers and monument dealers come from our sister directory, Funeral Home Directory USA. Ranks run from the highest value down, among states and DC with the figure available. Compare District of Columbia with other places.
Notable people buried in District of Columbia
Wikidata records 1,261 notable people as buried in 14 District of Columbia cemeteries. The best documented:
- Madeleine Albright1937-2022United States Secretary of State from 1997 to 2001Oak Hill Cemetery, Washington, DC
- Gore Vidal1925-2012American writerRock Creek Cemetery, Washington, DC
- Upton Sinclair1878-1968American writerRock Creek Cemetery, Washington, DC
- Joseph Henry1797-1878American scientist and the 1st Secretary of the SmithsonianOak Hill Cemetery, Washington, DC
- J. Edgar Hoover1895-1972American law enforcement administratorCongressional Cemetery, Washington, DC
- Henry Adams1838-1918American journalist, historian, academic, novelistRock Creek Cemetery, Washington, DC
- Herman Hollerith1860-1929American statistician and inventor（1860-1929）Oak Hill Cemetery, Washington, DC
- Elbridge Gerry1744-1814Vice president of the United States from 1813 to 1814Congressional Cemetery, Washington, DC
Cities with the most cemeteries
Cemeteries by county
Frequently asked questions
How many cemeteries are there in District of Columbia?
Our directory currently lists 44 cemeteries in District of Columbia, across 1 county. The count includes active cemeteries as well as small family and historic burial grounds recorded by the U.S. Geological Survey.
Are there veterans cemeteries in District of Columbia?
Yes. We list 2 veterans cemeteries in District of Columbia, including national and state veterans cemeteries. Eligible veterans, their spouses and some dependents can be buried in a VA national cemetery at no cost.
How do I find historic cemeteries in District of Columbia?
We list 1 cemetery in District of Columbia with a recorded heritage designation, historic tag or establishment year before 1900. County historical societies and the state historic preservation office keep more detailed burial records.
Related guides
- What Is a Veterans Cemetery?National, state and post cemeteries explained, what they provide, and how they differ from a veterans section.
- What Can You Leave at a Grave?Flowers, flags, stones, coins and keepsakes: what cemeteries allow, what they remove, and the traditions behind them.
- Religious Burial Customs in the USHow Catholic, Jewish, Muslim, Protestant, Orthodox and Latter-day Saint traditions shape burial, timing and cemetery choice.
- How to Get a Veterans Headstone or MarkerFree VA headstones, niche markers and medallions: who qualifies, what the VA covers in national and private cemeteries, and how to apply.