Arlington National Cemetery is one of the most revered burial grounds in the United States, serving as a final resting place for military members, veterans, and eligible family members. Located in Arlington, Virginia, just across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C., this cemetery reflects the nation’s respect for those who served their country. Over the years, it has become a symbol of honor, sacrifice, and national memory. But not everyone is eligible to be interred at Arlington National Cemetery. There are specific criteria that determine who can be buried there, reflecting both military service and other forms of national contribution. These eligibility requirements are detailed and based on law, tradition, and the cemetery’s mission to honor service and sacrifice.
Basic Eligibility Criteria
Arlington National Cemetery was established during the Civil War and has been managed as a national cemetery ever since. Its primary purpose is to provide burial space for those who have served honorably in the United States Armed Forces and their eligible family members. Eligibility is determined by federal law and regulations to ensure that the cemetery remains a place of honor and dignity. Key categories include active duty service members, veterans who meet specific criteria, recipients of certain military honors, and certain public officials.
Active Duty and Retired Military Members
Individuals on active duty in the United States Armed Forces are eligible for burial at Arlington National Cemetery. This includes members of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Space Force, and Coast Guard who die while serving. Additionally, military retirees who have served at least 20 years of active duty and are entitled to retired pay are also eligible. This reflects the nation’s recognition of long-term, honorable military service.
Veterans With Honorable Service
Veterans who are not on active duty but who completed honorable service may also be eligible for burial at Arlington National Cemetery, provided they meet specific criteria. Generally, veterans must have been discharged under conditions other than dishonorable. Certain veteran statuses like veterans with permanent and total serviceconnected disability may qualify for burial even if they were not eligible during life for retirement benefits. These rules ensure that those who served with distinction are remembered appropriately.
Special Honors and Decorations
Arlington National Cemetery also maintains eligibility for individuals who received certain high military honors. This reflects the nation’s recognition of extraordinary valor and sacrifice. These honors include awards such as the Medal of Honor, Distinguished Service Cross, Navy Cross, Air Force Cross, and other similar decorations. Recipients of these honors often qualify for interment regardless of retirement status, as their actions represent extraordinary courage and service to the country.
Decorated Veterans
- Medal of Honor recipients
- Recipients of Distinguished Service Cross, Navy Cross, or Air Force Cross
- Certain recipients of Silver Star and other high awards (specific criteria may apply)
- Other valor awards as defined by regulation
These criteria emphasize the importance of service above and beyond the call of duty.
Family Members and Dependents
Another major component of eligibility at Arlington National Cemetery is the inclusion of family members and dependents of eligible service members and veterans. This recognizes the role that family plays in supporting service and sacrifice. Spouses of eligible military members and veterans are generally eligible for burial in the same gravesite. Dependent children who die while under a specific age threshold or with certain disabilities may also be interred. These provisions ensure that families remain together even after death and are honored collectively.
Family Eligibility Categories
- Spouses of eligible active duty members
- Spouses of eligible veterans
- Unmarried dependent children (age requirements apply)
- Children with permanent disability (no age limit if dependency exists)
These family benefits reflect a broader understanding of service and sacrifice that includes the influence and support of loved ones.
Government Officials and Other Honored Individuals
There are special cases where individuals who do not meet standard military service requirements may still be eligible for burial at Arlington National Cemetery. These include certain government officials who have served in positions of national importance, such as Presidents of the United States, Chief Justices, and members of Congress who have made significant contributions to the nation. Burial in Arlington for these individuals is often seen as a national honor that recognizes public service at the highest levels of government. These exceptions are rare and governed by specific statutes or resolutions.
Examples of Special Eligibility
- Presidents of the United States
- Vice Presidents with qualifying service records
- Members of Congress with distinguished service
- Supreme Court Justices and certain Cabinet officials
These honors reflect a broader interpretation of national service and contribution to the dignity of the nation.
Ceremonial Honors and Burial Options
Those eligible for interment at Arlington National Cemetery are entitled to various ceremonial honors. Military funerals often include a caisson procession, presentation of the flag to the next of kin, and a bugler playing Taps. In some cases, especially for highly decorated individuals, additional honors may be rendered. The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is one of the most solemn sites within Arlington, representing unidentified service members from past conflicts. While individuals cannot be interred there unless they are unknown service members, the site underscores the cemetery’s role in national memory and ceremonial respect.
Typical Honors Included
- Flagfolding ceremony
- Musical honors, including Taps
- Rifle salute (in many military funerals)
- Caisson or hearse procession
These honors help families feel that their loved ones are remembered with dignity and national gratitude.
Eligibility Process and Documentation
Determining eligibility for burial at Arlington National Cemetery requires documentation that supports the applicant’s military service and honor status. Commonly requested documents include discharge papers (DD214), retirement orders, military awards certificates, and dependent information. The cemetery administration reviews these documents to confirm eligibility and schedule interment. For families, navigating this process can be part of planning a military burial or memorial service, and cemetery staff often assist with questions about required documents and scheduling requirements.
Required Documentation
- DD214 or equivalent discharge records
- Retirement orders (if applicable)
- Award certificates for decorations or honors
- Marriage certificate for spouse eligibility
- Birth or dependency records for children
Proper documentation ensures that eligibility is confirmed and that burial arrangements proceed without delay.
Considerations for Cremated Remains
Arlington National Cemetery also provides interment options for cremated remains. Eligible individuals may be placed in columbaria niches, inurned in family gravesites, or buried in the ground. Providing burial options for cremated remains allows families flexibility while maintaining the honor and respect associated with interment at Arlington. Eligibility for inurnment follows the same criteria as for full burial, and families can choose the type of interment that best fits their needs and traditions.
Options for Cremated Remains
- Columbarium niches
- Inurnment in family gravesites
- Ground burial with other family members
These options provide dignified choices for families that reflect personal preferences and traditions.
Arlington National Cemetery stands as a symbol of national honor and remembrance, offering burial and memorial opportunities for those who have served the United States with distinction. Eligibility is defined by military service, honors received, family relationships, and exceptional public service in certain historical cases. Active duty service members, retirees, veterans with honorable service, recipients of specific decorations, and eligible family members all may be interred there, subject to documentation and procedural requirements. The cemetery’s traditions of ceremonial honors, dignified interment options, and historic significance make it a deeply meaningful place for families, communities, and the nation to honor service and sacrifice. Understanding who can be interred at Arlington National Cemetery helps families and loved ones plan with clarity and confidence, ensuring that those who served are remembered with the dignity they deserve.