Who Qualifies for Burial at Arlington National Cemetery?

Arlington National Cemetery, America's most hallowed military burial ground, maintains strict eligibility criteria set by federal law and Army regulations. Here's who qualifies:

Automatic Eligibility (Most Common)

• Active-duty service members (including Reserve/National Guard on active duty) who die in service
• Honorably discharged veterans with at least one day of active duty (not just training)
• Spouses and minor children of eligible service members/veterans buried at Arlington

Special Categories

• Medal of Honor recipients (regardless of other criteria)
• Former POWs held ≥ 30 days
• Certain civilians killed supporting U.S. military operations abroad (e.g., DoD contractors, Red Cross workers)
• Distinguished former officials: Presidents, Vice Presidents, Cabinet secretaries, Supreme Court justices, Members of Congress (with Secretary of Army approval)
• Others approved by the Secretary of the Army for extraordinary service

Key Restrictions

• Dishonorable discharge = ineligibility
• Cremated remains have same eligibility as casketed
• Space limitations: in-ground burial is restricted; columbarium niches have broader availability
• Advance planning through funeral directors recommended

Arlington conducts ~27-30 funerals daily. Eligibility is verified by the Cemetery Administration using DD-214, service records, and marriage/birth certificates.