Space is limited in Arlington National Cemetery so the privilege of interment is extremely limited. Currently, space is limited to those who have served honorably in the Armed Services. Be sure to read the Eligibility requirements.
Those Not Eligible For Interment:
For Additional Information On Eligibility
The Superintendent
Arlington National Cemetery
ATTN: ANNC-ADL
Arlington, Va. 22211
Have your funeral director contact the Interment Services Office as soon as possible to make arrangements for interment. Call 703-695-3250 or 703-695-3255. Posted hours are 7:30 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. Monday - Friday and 9:00 a.m. - 12:45 p.m. Saturdays, Eastern Time.
Do not ship the remains until told to do so. Cemetery personnel will have to verify eligibility prior to shipment and subsequent interment. In addition, until a date, time, and place of interment are provided by cemetery personnel, you are wise in making no such announcement. Get confirmation before doing so.
To insure the deceased veteran's interment request, the Superintendent suggests that the survivor(s) assemble all necessary documentation, such as the veteran's DD 214 discharge papers, Dept. of Veteran Affairs disability findings, records of decorations, and any other supporting documents. It is always wise to have these papers on hand even before death becomes a consideration.
A gravesite will be assigned by cemetery personnel when an interment request is received. Only one gravesite per family will be assigned (you cannot reserve a second or third gravesite, or even the first prior to death).
An eligible child or spouse who dies before a veteran is eligible for burial at Arlington National Cemetery. Cemetery personnel will assign a gravesite, providing the veteran agrees in writing to be buried in the same site.
According to the Superintendent of Arlington National Cemetery, the cemetery does not charge the survivor(s) for the grave plot, opening and closing of the grave, or the government issued headstone or grave marker (see Burial Benefits). However, the survivor(s) is responsible for all other expenses associated with burial, unless the veteran was still on active duty at the time of death.
The survivor(s) of veterans who die while on active duty are allotted a funeral expense allowance. In addition, the government will pay the costs associated with transporting the remains of the veteran or his/her dependents from their place of death to their final resting place.
According to the Superintendent of Arlington National Cemetery, so far as retired veterans and others who qualify for internment in Arlington National Cemetery, the funeral costs not covered by the government may be offset by a veteran's burial allowances and the Social Security death benefit. For more information on this aspect, contact your local Social Security Office and Veteran Affairs facility for details. For a list of V.A. facilities by state, see facility.htm.
Military personnel, retirees, and veterans may be interred with military honors if they are requested. The Superintendent of Arlington National Cemetery will assist in making arrangements.
The VA provides upright headstones to mark the graves of those buried in Arlington National Cemetery. These headstones are ordered by cemetery staff at the time of internment. The next-of-kin is asked only to fill out the necessary form verifying the correctness of what is to be inscribed on the headstone.
The VA also supplies memorial markers, which honor members of the Armed Forces whose remains have not been recovered. To secure such a marker, the next of kin should make a formal request to the Superintendent of Arlington National Cemetery.
For the necessary forms, contact the Superintendent of Arlington National Cemetery, your local VA facility, or send your request to U.S. Veteran Information (non-governmental).
For more information on headstones and markers, see the HEADSTONE OR MARKER segment in the Burial Benefits section.
Arlington National Cemetery Columbarium
In addition to ground burial, Arlington National Cemetery also has a Columbarium for cremated remains. Any honorably discharged veteran or his/her spouse or dependent children can be inurned there.
For more information on Arlington's Columbarium service, contact:
Superintendent
Arlington National Cemetery
Arlington, Va. 22211
