It occupies approximately 8 acres (3.2 ha), and is site to over 10,000 interments as of the end of 2020.

In 1867, an 8-acre (3.2 ha) plot was appropriated from a local resident to establish the Alexandria National Cemetery.

It was originally intended as a place to bury Union soldiers who died in the area during the Civil War, but later, remains from Mount Pleasant, Cheneyville, Yellow Bayou, and Fort Brown, Texas, were re-interred in Alexandria.

Exceptions to this include subsequent interments for veterans or eligible family members in an existing gravesite.

Cemetery policy allows for first-come, first-served waitlist to eligible veterans if burial space becomes available due to a canceled reservation or when a disinterment has been completed.