Ambrose Burnside died on September 13, 1881, in Bristol, Rhode Island, at the age of 57. His death was attributed to heart disease.

Burnside received a grand military funeral, and was buried in Swan Point Cemetery in Providence, Rhode Island. The event drew large crowds and was a testament to his popularity and service to the nation.

Burnside's legacy is complex and multifaceted. While he is often remembered for the disastrous Battle of Fredericksburg, he also achieved successes in North Carolina and Knoxville. He is remembered as a charismatic and well-liked figure, but also as a somewhat flawed military leader. His name lives on in the term 'sideburns,' which originated from his distinctive facial hair style.