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Arlington National Cemetery stands as “our Nation’s most hallowed ground” – a solemn testament to American service and sacrifice throughout history. Spanning 639 acres across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C., it serves as the final resting place for approximately 400,000 individuals.
For many veterans and their families, burial at Arlington represents the ultimate final honor. However, Arlington’s eligibility requirements are unique and the most stringent of all national cemeteries in the United States. This distinction stems from a fundamental difference: Arlington National Cemetery is managed by the U.S. Department of the Army, not the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) that oversees the other 150+ national cemeteries.
This jurisdictional split creates entirely different rules, procedures, and eligibility standards. Many benefits and processes familiar to veterans through the VA simply don’t apply to Arlington. Understanding these differences is crucial for veterans and families considering Arlington as a final resting place.
Two Ways to Rest at Arlington
Understanding Arlington eligibility begins with a critical distinction between two types of interment, each with vastly different requirements shaped by the physical reality of the cemetery’s finite space.
In-Ground Burial
Traditional burial involves placing remains (either casketed or cremated) in a gravesite within the cemetery grounds. Due to limited available gravesites, eligibility criteria for in-ground burial are exceptionally restrictive, reserved for those meeting a very high standard of military service as defined by federal regulation.
Above-Ground Inurnment
This involves placing cremated remains into niches within the cemetery’s Columbarium Courts or Niche Walls. The columbarium is a large, stately structure designed to hold thousands of urns, with ongoing expansion to increase capacity.
The significant eligibility difference between these options directly responds to physical space scarcity at Arlington. When the cemetery began facing the prospect of running out of space, restrictive rules for in-ground burial were first imposed in 1967. Construction of the first columbarium in the late 1970s and early 1980s provided a new path to honor veterans.
By establishing much broader eligibility for inurnment, the Army created a way to extend Arlington’s active life for decades, ensuring that the honor of a final resting place remains accessible to a larger portion of the veteran community. While in-ground burial is reserved for a select group, official policy states that most veterans with at least one day of active service (other than for training) and an honorable discharge are eligible for above-ground inurnment.
In-Ground Burial: The Nation’s Highest Honor
Eligibility for in-ground burial at Arlington National Cemetery is the most stringent of any U.S. national cemetery, strictly defined in federal law under Title 32, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 553, Section 12. This regulation establishes “primarily eligible persons” who qualify for this honor.
To be considered a primarily eligible person for in-ground burial, an individual must meet one of these criteria:
Service Members Who Die on Active Duty
Any member of the U.S. Armed Forces who dies while on federal active duty under Title 10 of the U.S. Code. This doesn’t include service members who die while on active duty for training only.
Retired Veterans
Any veteran who was retired from active military service and was entitled to receive retirement pay. This also includes members of Reserve components who served active duty (other than for training) and were on an official retired list entitled to receive retirement pay.
Recipients of High Military Awards
A significant category honoring valor and distinguished service. Any veteran whose last period of service terminated honorably and who was awarded one of these decorations is eligible:
- Medal of Honor
- Distinguished Service Cross, Navy Cross, or Air Force Cross
- Distinguished Service Medal
- Silver Star
- Purple Heart
Former Prisoners of War
Any former prisoner of war who, while a POW, served honorably in active military service and whose last period of service terminated honorably. This eligibility applies to former POWs who died on or after November 30, 1993.
Certain High-Ranking Government Officials
Any veteran who served on active duty (other than for training) and also held one of these federal government positions:
- President or Vice President of the United States
- An elected member of the U.S. Congress
- Chief Justice or Associate Justice of the Supreme Court
- A position listed in Levels I and II of the Executive Schedule (typically Cabinet secretaries and deputies)
Certain Disabled Veterans
A smaller category for veterans honorably discharged before October 1, 1949, for a permanent physical disability rated at 30% or greater, who served on active duty and would have been eligible for retirement had the law been in effect at that time.
In-Ground Burial Eligibility Summary
| Category | Eligible? | Key Criteria |
|---|---|---|
| Died on Active Duty | Yes | Must be Title 10 federal active duty (not training only) |
| Retired from Active Duty | Yes | Must be entitled to receive retirement pay |
| High Award Recipients | Yes | Must have received Medal of Honor, DSC/NC/AFC, DSM, Silver Star, or Purple Heart |
| Former Prisoner of War | Yes | Must have served honorably and died on/after November 30, 1993 |
| Certain Government Officials | Yes | Must be veteran who also served as President, VP, Member of Congress, Supreme Court Justice, or Level I/II position |
| Pre-1949 Disabled Veterans | Yes | 30%+ disability rating, would have been retirement eligible |
Above-Ground Inurnment: A Broader Path
While in-ground burial criteria are narrow, the path to above-ground inurnment in Arlington’s Columbarium is significantly broader. This policy deliberately ensures that a much larger population of veterans can be honored with a final resting place at Arlington, directly responding to the physical limitations of the grounds.
The general standard for inurnment eligibility is straightforward: any former member of the armed forces who served on active duty (other than for training) and whose last service terminated honorably is eligible for inurnment. This means most veterans with at least one day of active service and an honorable discharge can have their cremated remains placed in the Columbarium.
Specific Categories for Inurnment Eligibility
Any veteran who meets the stringent criteria for in-ground burial automatically qualifies for inurnment.
Any veteran who served at least one day on active duty (other than for training) and received an honorable discharge.
Any member of a Reserve component or National Guard whose death occurs under honorable conditions while on active duty for training or performing full-time service.
Any member of the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) who dies under honorable conditions during authorized training activities.
A Historical Example: The WASP Case
The history of eligibility for the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) of World War II illustrates the importance and complexity of these rules. The WASP flew military aircraft in non-combat roles to free up male pilots for combat, and 38 died in service. However, they were technically civilians.
In 1977, Congress granted them veteran status for their “active military service.” For years, they were granted inurnment rights at Arlington. In 2015, a legal reinterpretation by the Army reversed this policy, leading to public outcry and a legislative campaign.
In 2016, Congress passed Public Law 114-158, which explicitly restored the right of WASP to be inurned at Arlington, affirming that their service met the standard for this honor. This case highlights that the definition of “active service” can be complex and that these rights are sometimes hard-won.
Family Member Eligibility
Arlington National Cemetery honors not only the service member but also recognizes the sacrifices of their immediate family. Family member eligibility is known as “derivative eligibility,” meaning their right to burial at Arlington derives from the service of a “primarily eligible person” (the veteran). A family member cannot establish eligibility through another derivatively eligible family member.
Who Qualifies
The following family members are derivatively eligible for interment or inurnment in the same gravesite or niche as the primarily eligible veteran:
Spouse or Surviving Spouse: The spouse of an eligible veteran may be buried in the same gravesite.
The Remarriage Rule: This frequently causes confusion. For VA national cemeteries, a surviving spouse who remarries remains eligible for burial based on their marriage to the veteran. Arlington’s rule is similar but more specific: a surviving spouse who remarries is eligible for burial in the same gravesite as the primarily eligible veteran. However, the new spouse of that remarried widow or widower is not eligible for burial in that gravesite.
A former spouse whose marriage to the veteran was terminated by divorce or annulment is not eligible for burial based on the veteran’s service.
Minor Children: Unmarried children of an eligible veteran who are under age 21, or under age 23 if they’re full-time students at approved educational institutions.
Permanently Dependent Adult Children: Unmarried adult children of an eligible veteran who, before age 21, became permanently incapable of self-support due to physical or mental disability. Establishing eligibility requires specific documentation, including medical evidence of the disability and its onset, plus a notarized statement from someone with direct knowledge of the child’s marital status and dependency.
Critical Administrative Requirement
When an eligible family member dies before the primarily eligible veteran, the spouse or child can be interred at Arlington, but only if the living veteran signs a formal written agreement stating they will be interred in the same gravesite or niche upon their own death.
If the veteran later decides to be buried elsewhere or becomes ineligible, the family may be responsible for the costs of disinterring the family member’s remains from Arlington National Cemetery. This policy underscores the administrative preparedness required of families seeking to exercise these rights.
The Pre-Need Question: A Critical Misunderstanding
This is one of the most critical and misunderstood aspects of planning for burial at Arlington National Cemetery. The answer is definitive: No, you cannot apply for or receive a pre-need eligibility determination for Arlington National Cemetery.
This policy creates significant potential for confusion because the Department of Veterans Affairs does offer a robust pre-need eligibility program for the 150+ national cemeteries it manages. Veterans and their families can apply for this determination in advance by submitting VA Form 40-10007. Receiving a pre-need decision letter from the VA provides peace of mind and simplifies the burial process for families.
However, Arlington National Cemetery, being run by the Department of the Army, does not participate in this VA program. The VA’s own website explicitly states this, advising those wanting to plan Arlington burial to contact the cemetery directly.
Arlington’s long-standing policy is that eligibility is determined only at the time of need (at the time of death). The cemetery will not verify eligibility or accommodate any pre-need requests before that time.
A Major Potential Pitfall
This policy difference is a major potential pitfall for families. A veteran who diligently completes the VA pre-need application may believe they’ve secured their final arrangements at Arlington, only for their grieving family to discover at the time of death that the determination isn’t valid for Arlington.
Veterans and families desiring burial at Arlington must understand that no arrangements can be finalized or even confirmed in advance. The only preparation possible is gathering necessary documents, such as the DD-214, so they’re ready when the time comes.
How to Schedule a Service
The process of scheduling a funeral at Arlington National Cemetery is formal, can be lengthy, and requires high organization from families during a difficult time. Cemetery staff handles each request individually and with great care, but it’s a bureaucratic process families should be prepared for.
Step 1: The First Call and Case Number
The process begins after the eligible individual’s death. The decedent’s Next of Kin or the funeral home acting on their behalf must call the Arlington National Cemetery Customer Service Center at 877-907-8585. During this initial call, the scheduler will ask for basic information about the deceased and provide the family with a case number. This case number is essential and must be included on all subsequent documents and correspondence.
Step 2: Assembling and Submitting Required Documents
The responsibility for providing documents to prove eligibility rests entirely with the family. A service will not be scheduled until all required documentation has been received and verified by cemetery staff. All documents should be scanned and sent via email to [email protected], with the case number clearly noted in the email’s subject line.
Mandatory documents include:
DD Form 214 (or service equivalent): The most critical document. It must show the veteran’s active duty service and honorable character of service.
Death Certificate: A final or certified copy is required before a funeral can be scheduled. The cemetery may move forward with a working copy to begin the process, but scheduling is contingent on receiving the final version.
Cremation Certificate (if applicable): If remains are cremated, a cremation certificate is mandatory. This certificate must include the decedent’s name, date of cremation, crematory name, and signature or official stamp. Arlington also requires certification that the urn contains 100 percent of the decedent’s remains and supports including the cremation identification tag number.
Succession Documents (if applicable): If the person arranging the funeral isn’t the Primary Next of Kin – such as a more distant relative or executor – they must provide legal documents showing they are the Person Authorized to Direct Disposition.
Step 3: The Waiting Period and Scheduling
Once all documents are submitted and verified, the family will be contacted to schedule the service. This is not an immediate process. Wait time for Arlington service can be several weeks to several months.
This timeline depends on many factors, including availability of military honors from the decedent’s branch of service, the family’s specific requests (such as chapel service), and the cemetery’s operating schedule. Services with full military honors and funeral escorts typically have longer wait times due to extensive resources required.
Services for cremated remains that don’t require military honors can often be scheduled more quickly, sometimes on Saturday, which may be an option for some families. This prolonged waiting period can be emotionally taxing, and families should be prepared for this logistical and emotional limbo.
Disqualifications: Who Is Prohibited
While military service is the foundation of eligibility, certain actions or circumstances can disqualify an individual from burial at Arlington, even if they otherwise meet service criteria. These prohibitions protect the “hallowed” nature of the grounds and ensure the honor isn’t bestowed upon those whose post-service conduct has been deemed unworthy.
Primary Disqualifiers
Character of Discharge: This is a critical distinction between Arlington and VA national cemeteries. For most VA cemeteries, the standard is discharge “under conditions other than dishonorable.” For Arlington, the standard is stricter: the veteran’s last period of active duty must have ended with an honorable discharge. A “general discharge under honorable conditions” is explicitly insufficient for interment, inurnment, or memorialization at Arlington. A dishonorable discharge is an absolute bar to burial at any national cemetery, including Arlington.
Conviction of a Capital Crime: Federal law prohibits interment at Arlington for any person convicted of a federal or state capital crime for which a sentence of life imprisonment or death penalty could be imposed. This prohibition also applies to individuals shown by clear and convincing evidence to have committed such a crime but weren’t brought to trial due to death or flight to avoid prosecution.
Conviction of Certain Sex Offenses: The same federal statute also prohibits interment for any person convicted of a Tier III sex offense who was sentenced to a minimum of life imprisonment and whose conviction is final.
Conviction for Subversive Activities: Any person convicted of subversive activities against the United States after September 1, 1959, forfeits their right to burial in a national cemetery. This right can only be reinstated by presidential pardon.
Discharge from Draft: A person who was ordered to report for induction but was never actually inducted into military service is not eligible.
These rules demonstrate that eligibility combines honorable service and honorable conduct throughout one’s life. The honor of burial at Arlington, once earned through military service, can be forfeited by subsequent criminal actions.
Requesting an Exception to Policy
Arlington’s eligibility regulations are strict and codified in law. However, regulations do provide a formal process for requesting an exception to policy. Families must understand this is an extraordinary measure and exceptions are rarely granted. The final authority to approve or deny an exception rests solely with the Secretary of the Army.
Criteria for Consideration
The process is reserved for individuals whose service to the nation was so extraordinary that it warrants consideration outside standard rules. The evaluation isn’t based on personal sentiment but on rigorous criteria:
- The decedent’s specific military contributions that directly and substantially benefited the U.S. military
- The decedent’s specific civilian contributions that were of similar level of sacrifice or heroism as military service and directly benefited the U.S. military
- Whether the combined service presents truly extraordinary circumstances
- Consistency with past decisions and potential for setting new precedent
The Exception Process
Requests are only considered after death. No pre-need exception requests are reviewed.
The Primary Next of Kin or Person Authorized to Direct Disposition must submit a formal, written request with notarized signature to the Executive Director of Arlington National Cemetery.
The request must provide detailed justification and be supported by extensive, accurate documentation (DD Form 214, award certificates, letters of commendation, etc.). The burden of proof is entirely on the requester; the Defense Department will not conduct research to support the request.
The request undergoes multi-level review, including a board of senior Army officers and the Arlington superintendent, before being forwarded with a recommendation to the Secretary of the Army for final decision.
This “safety valve” in regulations acknowledges that no set of rules can account for every case of exceptional service. However, the high bar for consideration and immense burden of proof are designed to protect Arlington’s standards integrity, ensuring exceptions remain truly exceptional.
Military Funeral Honors at Arlington
Every eligible veteran is entitled to military funeral honors provided by their branch of service at no cost to the family. The honors rendered at Arlington are often more elaborate than at other locations and are tiered based on the rank and service of the deceased.
Levels of Honors
Military Funeral Honors
- Who qualifies: Enlisted (E-1 to E-8), Warrant Officers (WO-1 to CW-3), Officers (O-1 to O-3)
- Elements included: Casket Team (Pallbearers), Firing Party, Bugler (playing “Taps”), Folding and Presentation of the U.S. Flag
Military Funeral Honors with Funeral Escort
- Who qualifies: Senior Enlisted (E-9), Senior Warrant Officers (CW-4, CW-5), Senior Officers (O-4 and above), Medal of Honor Recipients, Former POWs, Killed in Action (any rank)
- Elements included: All elements of Military Funeral Honors, plus a Marching Element (size varies by rank), Military Band, and Caisson (horse-drawn carriage), if available
Armed Forces Funeral Honors
- Who qualifies: President of the United States, Secretary of Defense, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, or other officers granted multiple-service command
- Elements included: Same as Military Funeral Honors with Funeral Escort, with addition of escort platoons from each branch of military service
Spouse and Dependent Honors
- Who qualifies: Eligible spouses and dependent children of a veteran
- Elements included: Casket Team (Pallbearers) and Military Chaplain (if requested). No other military honors are rendered unless the spouse was also a veteran
Special Distinctions
Certain high-ranking officers may receive further distinctions. Army and Marine Corps colonels and general officers may be provided a caparisoned (riderless) horse, symbolizing a fallen warrior who will ride no more. Army general officers may also receive a cannon salute, with the number of guns corresponding to their rank (17 guns for a four-star general).
Families should be aware that availability of some elements, particularly the caisson, can be limited. The U.S. Army has announced limited reintegration of the caisson into funeral services, but availability should be confirmed during the scheduling process.
Understanding the Differences
Arlington National Cemetery’s unique status as America’s most prestigious military cemetery comes with unique requirements that differ significantly from other national cemeteries. The key differences families need to understand include:
Administration: Arlington is run by the Army, not the VA, creating entirely different procedures and standards.
Eligibility Standards: Much more restrictive than VA national cemeteries, especially for in-ground burial.
Pre-Need Determinations: Not available at Arlington, unlike VA cemeteries where you can apply for advance eligibility determination.
Discharge Requirements: Arlington requires honorable discharge; VA cemeteries accept “other than dishonorable.”
Scheduling: More complex and potentially longer wait times due to high demand and limited resources.
Documentation: More extensive paperwork requirements and stricter verification processes.
Planning Considerations
For veterans and families considering Arlington as a final resting place, several factors deserve careful consideration:
Understand the distinction between in-ground burial (highly restrictive) and above-ground inurnment (more accessible).
Gather documents early, particularly the DD-214, since you cannot get pre-need eligibility determination.
Consider family preferences about timing, as wait periods can be substantial.
Understand costs beyond the burial itself, such as travel and accommodation for family members attending services.
Have backup plans, as eligibility can only be confirmed at time of death and circumstances may change.
Consider other national cemeteries that may be more accessible while still providing military honors and perpetual care.
The Honor and the Reality
Burial at Arlington National Cemetery represents one of the highest honors the nation can bestow upon those who served. The stringent eligibility requirements ensure that this honor remains meaningful and that the cemetery’s sacred character is preserved.
For families navigating these requirements during times of grief, understanding Arlington’s unique status and procedures can help avoid disappointment and ensure appropriate planning. While the process may seem daunting, Arlington’s staff are committed to honoring every eligible veteran with the dignity and respect their service has earned.
The cemetery’s mission continues every day, with new burials and inurnments adding to the long roll of honor represented by those who rest in this hallowed ground. Whether ultimately laid to rest at Arlington or honored at another national cemetery, every veteran’s service has earned them the grateful recognition of the nation they served.
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