Who is eligible for interment at Arlington National Cemetery?
Eligibility for in-ground burial at Arlington National Cemetery is the most stringent of all U.S. national cemeteries. However, most veterans who have at least one day of active service (other than for training) and an honorable discharge are eligible for above-ground inurnment.
How much does it cost to be buried at Arlington National Cemetery?
There are no fees or costs for a burial or inurnment. However, all costs associated with preparation of the remains, casket or urn, and shipping of the remains to the Washington, DC area are at the expense of the estate unless the deceased is currently on active duty.
How do you arrange burial at Arlington National Cemetery?
Scheduling a Funeral Service The PNOK, PADD or the funeral director should telephone Arlington National Cemetery’s customer service center at 1-to arrange for the interment/inurnment service.
Can anyone attend a funeral at Arlington National Cemetery?
Effective immediately, all visitors 16 years of age and older (pedestrians, drivers and passengers) must present a valid photo identification upon entering the cemetery. Visitors include all funeral attendees, tourists and personnel on official business.
Is there a dress code for Arlington Cemetery?
What to Wear to Arlington National Cemetery. If you’re attending a funeral at Arlington National Cemetery – or any other ceremony there such as a wreath ceremony – business casual dress is required for both men and women.
Can you walk on the grass at Arlington National Cemetery?
You are encouraged to explore the cemetery (you may walk on the grass to find a grave) and attend a public ceremony. However, activities such as running, climbing, bicycling, playing sports or picnicking are not allowed.
What is the wait time to be buried at Arlington?
Answer: Approximately two weeks for inurnment in the Columbarium.
Can you take pictures at Arlington Cemetery?
Photography is permitted within the grounds of Arlington National Cemetery. Photographers who are members of news organizations need to make arrangements for a media escort by contacting the ANC Public Affairs Office at
Do you have to pay to visit Arlington Cemetery?
What is Arlington National Cemetery? The cemetery conducts between 27 and 30 funerals every weekday. The site is open to the public 365 days a year with free admission for those who wish to tour the site and pay their respects.
How long does it take to tour Arlington National Cemetery?
approximately 3 hours
Are there bathrooms at Arlington National Cemetery?
The Welcome Center restrooms at Arlington National Cemetery are undergoing upgrades and repairs and are unavailable for public use from Nov. UPDATED: The back entry/walkway between the Welcome Center and Administration Building has been moved to a new walkway, located next to the temporary restrooms on the west side.
Is there really a soldier in the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier?
The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is a monument dedicated to deceased U.S. service members whose remains have not been identified. It is located in Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia, United States.
Can you visit Arlington National Cemetery without a tour?
No visit to DC is complete without a visit to the hallowed grounds of Arlington National Cemetery – even if it is in Virginia. We’ve put together this easy to read guide to planning a visit to Arlington National Cemetery so that you could make the most of your valuable time at this national shrine.
Can you visit the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at night?
The Tomb is guarded 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. In fact, there has been a Sentinel on duty in front of the Tomb every minute of every day since 1937.
Do tomb guards carry loaded weapons?
Aside from getting manhandled (and probably tazed) by the Arlington Police, the Tomb Sentinels are carrying fully functional weapons. Whether they’re loaded weapons or if the sentinels have ammunition remains unknown (many sources say they don’t), but that’s not a reason to go testing the theory.
Are tomb guards weapons loaded?
Firepower. The M-14 rifles used by the Tomb Sentinels are fully functional, the Old Guard says. While the unit would not discuss further security measures due to the sensitive nature of what they do, it’s clear the rifle isn’t loaded when it’s carried by the men walking the line in front of the Tomb.
Can tomb guards drink alcohol?
Fact check: Tomb of the Unknown Soldier sentinels must observe rigorous protocols, but can still drink alcohol off duty, swear in public. And they claim that during Hurricane Isabel in 2003, the tomb’s sentinels refused orders to abandon their posts despite the inclement weather.
Can tomb guards shoot you?
The guards are fully authorized to shoot you. If you were to try and deface the Tomb you would get a single verbal warning. If you do not back off or worse attack the guard or the Tomb he will put you down like the worm you are. That weapon he carries might be ceremonial but it’s completely functional.
Why do the guards take 21 steps?
The guard takes 21 steps and then pauses for 21 seconds after his about face to begin his return walk. The significance of ’21’ reflects the twenty-one gun salute, the highest honor given any military or foreign dignitary.
How many bodies are in the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier?
Still, many unknown remains were recovered in the years following the Civil War. At Arlington National Cemetery, there are individual Civil War unknown burials as well as the remains of 2,111 Union and Confederate soldiers buried beneath the Tomb of the Civil War Unknowns.
Is there a body in the Cenotaph?
The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier holds an unidentified British soldier who was killed on a European battlefield during the First World War. He was buried on 11th November 1920 at Westminster Abbey, in London.
Can spouses be buried at Arlington?
When a spouse or other eligible dependent of a current or former member of the armed forces is buried at Arlington, the military service in which the member served will provide a casket team or body bearers and a military chaplain, if requested.
Why is the unknown soldier so important?
The Tomb of the Unknowns symbolizes those of America who gave their lives in World War I, World War II, and the Korean War in defense of the Nation’s integrity, honor, and tranquility.
Why are there 3 graves at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier?
Younger, who was wounded in combat and received the Distinguished Service Medal, was chosen to select a soldier for burial at the Tomb of the Unknowns in Arlington. After the four identical caskets were lined up for his inspection, Younger chose the third casket from the left by placing a spray of white roses on it.
What is the meaning of the Unknown Soldier?
: an unidentified soldier whose body is selected to receive national honors as a representative of all of the same nation who died in a war and especially in one of the world wars.
How was the unknown soldier chosen?
The unknown warrior’s body was chosen from a number of British servicemen exhumed from four battle areas – the Aisne, the Somme, Arras and Ypres. Gen Wyatt selected one body – it has been suggested he may have been blindfolded while making his choice – and the two officers placed it in a plain coffin and sealed it.
What was the unknown soldier buried with?
The Unknown Warrior, whose body was brought from France 99 years ago today, 7 November 1920, to be buried four days later, lies in a grave which contains soil from France and is covered by a slab of black Belgian marble from a quarry near Namur.
What are the requirements for the guards at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier?
To become a tomb guard, you must be in the 3rd Regiment (the Old Guard) of the US Army and you must volunteer. All it takes is to knock on the tomb guard quarters at the Memorial Amphitheater and say you are interested.
How often do the changing of the guards happen?
24 hours per day