Visitors include all funeral attendees, tourists and personnel on official business. We ask you to stay especially vigilant and remember to report any suspicious activity to the Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall Watch Desk: 703-588-2800 or 703-588-2801. Artificial flowers may be placed on gravesites from October 10 through April 15. View our ADA Accessibility Policy. Check out what our guests are saying about Arlington National Cemetery Tours! On the afternoon of Friday, April 2, and all day on Saturday April 3, an ongoing project at Arlington National Cemetery will, at times, temporarily restrict family access to Sections 38 and 43. Veterans, military funeral services Due to our location near the Arlington National Cemetery, we have helped lay to rest thousands of military personnel and veterans who served our country. The Arlington National Cemetery Welcome Center entrance The Welcome Center is the first place most visitors stop at on their tour of the cemetery. Eligibility for Interment (Ground Burial of Casketed or Cremated Remains) The persons specified below are eligible for ground burial in Arlington National Cemetery. The persons specified below are eligible for ground burial in Arlington National Cemetery. The two caissons used at the Cemetery are from the WWI time period circa 1918-1919. This website meets WCAG 2.0/2.1 AA standards set by the ADA. Built on what was once Robert E. Lee’s Arlington Estate, Arlington was officially named a national cemetery in 1864. Interment may be casketed or cremated remains. Arlington National Cemetery is the most hallowed burial ground of our nation's fallen. Effective immediately, all visitors 16 years of age and older (pedestrians, drivers and passengers) must present a valid photo identification upon entering the cemetery. PLEASE NOTE: Arlington National Cemetery has increased its security posture and is implementing 100% ID checks at all entrances. School group leaders and tour guides must also present the required identification. He was a devoted father of six boys, one girl, and a beloved husband to Carol, who he was married to for 48 years. His daughter, … Later he served in intelligence while stationed in Germany. The wagon is pulled by six horses, but there are only three riders. VA national cemeteries have been contacting families who were unable to hold a committal service due to the COVID-19 pandemic to arrange memorial services for their loved ones. Standard honors include casket team (body bearers / pall bearers), a firing party, and a bugler. Once the artillery was off-loaded, the caisson was loaded with bodies of fallen service members. The process to schedule a burial at Arlington National Cemetery can be complex and they handle each family’s request individually with the utmost care and professionalism. Caisson is a horse drawn wagon or cart. Arlington is one of the few cemeteries that offers graveside burials with military funeral honors with escort. A rlington National Cemetery is the final resting place for more than 400,000 active duty service members, veterans and their families. Those eligible for full military honors may also use the caisson if it is available. There are two types of funeral honors at the cemetery; full honors and standard honors. Arlington National Cemetery is pleased to announce the renovation completion of the cemetery’s iconic administration building. Officers with a rank of colonel or above in the Army and the Marine Corps may have a caparisoned (riderless) horse, if available. Arlington National Cemetery Tours is part of the Historic Tours of America quarterly eNewsletter 1 Memorial Avenue Fort Myer, VA 22211. The rolling green hills are dotted with trees that are hundreds of years in age and complement the gardens found throughout the 624 acres of the cemetery. VIRTUAL EASTER SUNRISE SERVICE, ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY. There are two types of funeral honors at the cemetery; full honors and standard honors. Welcome to Arlington National Cemetery, our Nation's most hallowed ground. The riderless horse follows behind the caisson and is guided by an Old Guard service member. This historic cemetery bears witness to our American heritage and the military service and sacrifice of men and women in uniform throughout our history. We use cookies to give you the best experience. From NPR station WAMU 88.5 These cones can be found throughout the cemetery in centralized stone containers. The horse wears an empty saddle with the boots in the stirrups backwards to signify the last ride of the officer. We ask for your patience, as this will create longer than usual delays. While there, you can have the funeral director telephone the Interment Services Branch at Arlington National Cemetery to make burial arrangements. Standard honors include casket team (body bearers / pall bearers), a firing party, and a bugler. Arlington is one of the few cemeteries that offers graveside burials with military funeral honors with escort. The grounds of Arlington National Cemetery honor those who have served our nation by providing a sense of beauty and peace for our guests. Today, across all 639 acres, waves of tombstones create a marble sea. At the outset, this land was not reserved for its current purpose; instead, it was the site of what would become Arlington House back in the year 1802. Normally, the deceased service member’s branch of service is responsible for carrying out the military honors at the funeral. Any active duty member of the Armed Forces (except those members serving on active duty for training only). We're open for tours. The OAC, including Arlington National Cemetery (ANC) website(s) does not collect your personal information unless you choose to provide your information to us. The Official Website of Arlington National Cemetery. By using our site, you agree to our cookie policy. We consider it part of our sacred trust to ensure that each funeral is executed with the utmost dignity and respect. The Changing of the Guard ritual—an elaborate, somber ceremony where a sentinel seamlessly takes over guard duty for the previous sentinel—happens every hour from October through March and every half hour from April through September.. Guests on the Arlington National Cemetery guided tram tour are usually surprised to find that the Cemetery conducts up to thirty funerals each day of the week. The gravesite of President John F. Kennedy is also on view at Arlington National Cemetery. What It Takes To Run A Funeral At Arlington Cemetery A visual guide to the service members that make Army burials at Arlington Cemetery possible. Cemetery officials are reminding all visitors to add a few extra minutes to their travel times. Take Arlington House, for example, the Greek Revival mansion perched on a hill overlooking the District. When you’re filling out a VA Form 40-10007 Application for Pre-need Determination of Eligibility for Burial in a VA National Cemetery, write “PL115-141” in Block 5. Arlington Cemetery has partnered with some of the brightest minds in professional addiction recovery. The annual Easter Sunrise Service, hosted by Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, will be live-streamed via JBM-HH Facebook beginning at 6:30 a.m. Sunday, April 4, from Arlington National Cemetery. Benefit Highlights. Whether you are interested in history or horticulture, Arlington National Cemetery provides serene and lovely niches. For years, cemetery Deputy Superintendent Thurman Higginbotham has overseen a contractor-led effort to computerize burial records at Arlington to prevent the cemetery from losing track of remains. Although during the week it is very likely that you will see a funeral. Owned and Operated by Historic Tours of America, Inc. ® 201 Front Street, Key West, Florida 33040 Copyright © Historic Tours of America, Inc. ® All Rights Reserved. By accessing our IS (including any device connected to this IS) you are consenting to the terms and conditions found in our User Acceptance Policy. For families, a service at Arlington is the time when the United States military bestows the honors befitting the service and sacrifice of their loved one. This year, the Easter Sunrise Service will be held at the event’s traditional location – Arlington National Cemetery’s Memorial … The answer is no. Arlington National Cemetery performs 27 to 30 funeral services each day. Please work with a funeral home director to contact Arlington National Cemetery at 877-907-8585 for their eligibility information. U.S. Army • Arlington National Cemetery • Arlington, VA 22211 •, Hours of Operation for Funeral Services & Visitation, Exceptions to the Interment and Inurnment Policy, → Hours of Operation for Funeral Services & Visitation, → Exceptions to the Interment and Inurnment Policy, Advisory Committee on Arlington National Cemetery. Physical security is everyone's responsibility. The last period of active duty of former members of the Armed Forces must have ended honorably. Our network, websites and apps are information systems (IS) provided to you as a public service and managed by the United States Government. Each year, our partners save countless lives by offering an ear to talk to at a critical time in people’s lives. A standard honors funeral is for any enlisted service member. This manual serves as a guide for personnel designated as Escort Commanders or other participants in Navy funerals at Arlington National Cemetery. Arlington National Cemetery Visitor Guide. The Changing of the Guard, Memorial Amphitheater, Arlington House, and Iwo Jima remain closed to the public. Customer Service. Goldman served in the Army in the 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard). Original documentation is required. M-F 7am to 4pm EST; M-F 11am to 8pm GST; 1-888-743-4662; dvicustomerservice@defense.gov; Units Interment may be casketed or cremated remains. Arlington National Cemetery 1 Memorial Drive Arlington VA 22211 www.arlingtoncemetery.mil (877) 907-8585 or (703) 607-8000. The next-of-kin or funeral director should contact the customer service center at 877-907-8585 to arrange for the service at Arlington Due to COVID 19 constraints, we are still restricted to allowing no more than two people to enter the Administration building for final funeral coordination. After witnessing the band, horses and procession of cars, visitors frequently ask “Do all funerals get that?”. In the United States, there are several types of military funerals such as those performed at Arlington National Cemetery, which include and omit certain components depending on the status of the deceased (active, retired, veteran , rank /occupation). The Arlington National Cemetery guided tram tour works very hard to avoid funeral services out of respect for the family and friends laying their loved ones to rest. Inside, you will find historical exhibits, maps and pamphlets, and information services for visitors seeking a particular grave. Learn about tour updates and safety. The Old Guard service members only ride the horses on the left side because the horses on right side were originally used to take supplies onto the battlefield. Full honors funerals are for commissioned officers, warrant officers and senior non-commissioned officers (pay grade E-9). Cemetery representatives will walk out to the funeral queuing lot to guide funeral attendees out to the gravesite as we have continued to do since March. For 30 years, it was home to Robert E. Lee, George Washington Parke Custis’ son-in-law, until Virginia’s secession in 1861. During this time, he was in charge of funeral processions at Arlington National Cemetery. The fax number is (703) 607-8583. The Third Infantry Regiment United States Army, more commonly known as the Old Guard, is always responsible for caisson. Any required documents (see preceding paragraphs) should be provided to the funeral director to fax to the cemetery staff. Mr. Parke Custis would eventually bequeath the property to his daughter that enabled her to live there indefinitely on the condition that she never sell it. Arlington National Cemetery provides portable cones for flowers that the public may use. A fully operational national cemetery since May 1864, Arlington conducts between 27 and 30 funeral services each weekday and between six and eight services on Saturdays — final farewells to fallen heroes and their family members. We can’t determine eligibility for burial in Arlington National Cemetery because the United States Army maintains this cemetery. This estate was the property of the adopted son of George Washington, a man named George Washington Parke Custis. The cemetery requests that you do not take photographs of funeral processions, but instead take a moment to remember the service and sacrifices of our military. The telephone number is (703) 607-8585. The close and curious relationship between the contractor, Optimum Technical Solutions, and the cemetery official was detailed by Salon yesterday. We suggest wearing attire that is appropriate for the season, but also respects the dignity of the occasion. April 1st – September 30th: 8AM – 7PM (temporarily closed) October 1st – March 30th: 8AM – 5PM (temporarily closed) While funeral services are still taking place with restrictions, the cemetery is closed to visitors until further notice. On Tuesday, July 28th , funeral attendees will continue to arrive and park in the funeral queuing lot but the Primary Next of Kin or Person Designated to Direct Disposition will now proceed to the newly renovated administration building rather than the temporary modular facility we were using during the renovation. Each request is Welcome This website is a free resource provided to families and funeral directors across the country. The last period of active duty of former members of the Armed Forces must have ended honorably. There have been almost 400,000 people’s remains buried at Arlington since the cemetery was founded during the Civil War. 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