Guide to Burial at Arlington National Cemetery

A Guide to Burial at Arlington National Cemetery

After the Time of Need

Locating a Gravesite or Niche

To locate the gravesite or niche in the Columbarium of a relative or friend, you may telephone or visit the customer service desk in the Visitors' Center. The telephone number is (703) 607-8000. Except for Christmas Day, the Visitors' Center is open every day of the year. The hours open to the public are 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., April 1 through September 30 and 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., October 1 through March 31.

Gravesite Maintenance after Interment

Graves are filled and leveled after each interment. As the soil compacts in the grave, sinkage may occur especially during the first year after the interment. Graves are sodded in the Spring or in the Fall (generally during the months of March through May and September through November).

Vehicle Passes for Gravesite Visitation

Permanent Pass — A permanent pass is issued to the next-of-kin at the time of the interment. Additional permanent passes are available for the parents and children of the deceased. An application for a permanent pass is available at the Administration Building or you may write for an application to: Superintendent, Arlington National Cemetery, ATTN: ANNC-ADI, Arlington, VA 22211.

Temporary Pass — A temporary pass may be issued to family and friends of the deceased. You may request a temporary pass upon your visit to Arlington National Cemetery. The pass is good for one visit only but additional passes may be requested upon each visit. To request a pass you should go to the Customer Service Desk located in the Visitors' Center. The staff will issue you a temporary pass and will provide you with the grave location and a map to the gravesite. To access the Visitors' Center, you should park in the pay parking facility. Take your parking stub/ticket with you to the Customer Service Desk. The staff will validate your stub/ticket if you make the request within 1/2 hour of the time stamped on the stub/ticket.

Floral Tributes at Gravesites

Fresh cut flowers may be placed on graves at any time.

Artificial flowers may be placed on graves October 10th through April 15th.

Planting of flowers, shrubs, etc. is prohibited.

Potted plants are permitted during the period 10 days before and 10 days after Easter.

Christmas wreaths are permitted during the Christmas season.

Floral items will be removed from the graves as soon as they become faded and unsightly.

Statues, vigil lights, flags, etc. and any type of commemorative items are not permitted on graves except for flags placed on the graves by the government.

Floral items and other types of decorations are not to be secured to the headstone or marker.

There will be a general cleanup of all floral items on graves 10 days after each holiday-Easter, Memorial Day, and Veterans Day.

Permanent Flower Containers

Permanent flower containers which are placed below ground level and have telescoping flower vases are permitted. However, the container must be placed in the ground by the cemetery staff. The government does not assume any responsibility for damaged or missing flower containers.

Presidential Memorial Certificates (PMC)

A Presidential Memorial Certificate honoring the memory of an honorably discharged deceased veteran may be obtained by providing a copy of the veteran's discharge document to any VA Regional Office or by writing to the Memorial Programs Service (403A), National Cemetery System, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420.

Back to top
Back to Funeral Information