Arlington National Cemetery

1) Here are the eligibility requirements for you or your loved one to be buried at Arlington:

In-Ground Burial (Casket or Urn):

• Dies on Title 10 Federal Active Duty (other than for training)

• Veteran – Retired from active duty; receiving retirement pay

• Veteran – Received Medal of Honor, Distinguished Service Cross (Air Force or Navy), Distinguished Service Medal, Silver Star, or Purple Heart

• Any former prisoner of war who, while a prisoner of war, served honorably in the active military, naval, or air service; whose last period of service terminated honorably; and who died on or after Nov. 30, 1993

Inurnment in Columbarium Court or Niche Wall

• Any of the above conditions for In-Ground Burial, plus:

• Dies on Active Duty for training only under Title X

• Veteran – At least one-day active duty other than for training

• Any member of a Reserve component of the Armed Forces, and any member of the Army National Guard or the Air National Guard, whose death occurs under honorable conditions while on active duty for training or performing full-time service

2) Understand costs and timing

• For Arlington and VA National cemeteries, everything is paid for except transportation of the body (unless the death occurred on active service) and a vault

• The process may take weeks to months, depending on whether the documents all verify eligibility, special requests, requests for military funeral honors with an escort (which can take longer to schedule than military funeral honors because of additional military resources such as escorts and the caisson), and requests for the chapel

3) Gather eligibility documentation

• DD214 or equivalent service documentation showing honorable discharge and active duty service (Mandatory for a veteran; the second interment of a spouse does not require this if ANC can verify the veteran's eligibility from historic archived records)

• Death certificate

• Cremation certificate, if applicable

• Succession documents for the Person Authorized to Direct Disposition (PADD) to act on behalf of the Primary Next of Kin (PNOK).

• Unmarried adult dependents require two additional documents. A notarized statement from an individual who has direct knowledge as to the marital status, degree of dependency of the deceased child, the name of that child's parent, and the military service upon which the burial is being requested. Also required is a certificate from the attending physician regarding the nature and duration of the physical and/or mental disability.

• Other additional documents will be required for signature before the service can take place.

4) Contact a local funeral home to arrange for any local services you would like

5) Call Arlington Cemetery at 1-877-907-8585. The funeral director can also do this. They will give you specific instructions and a case number.

6) Email the above documentation and the case number to: arlingtoncemetery.isb@mail.mil