Eligibility for burial at Arlington National Cemetery is narrower than most families expect. In-ground burial is reserved for service members who die on active duty, military retirees drawing retirement pay, veterans decorated with specific high-level awards or the Purple Heart, and former prisoners of war. Most other honorably discharged veterans qualify only for above-ground inurnment of cremated remains in the columbarium or niche wall. Spouses and minor children of an eligible service member can be interred with them. Arlington’s rules are the strictest of any national cemetery in the country.
Who Qualifies for In-Ground Burial
In-ground burial, whether of a casket or of cremated remains placed in the ground, is limited to honorably discharged service members in one of four categories:1Arlington National Cemetery. Establishing Eligibility
- Service members who die while on federal active duty under Title 10, provided the duty was not solely for training.
- Veterans who retired from active duty and were entitled to receive military retirement pay at the time of death.
- Veterans who received the Medal of Honor, Distinguished Service Cross, Air Force Cross, Navy Cross, Distinguished Service Medal, Silver Star, or Purple Heart.
- Former prisoners of war whose last period of service ended honorably and who died on or after November 30, 1993.
These standards are set out in Title 32 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 553, Section 12.
National Guard and Reserve Members
Guard and Reserve members have a more limited path. A Reserve component or Army or Air National Guard member who dies under honorable conditions while on active duty for training or performing full-time service qualifies for above-ground inurnment, but not for in-ground burial. Guard and Reserve members who were called to federal active duty under Title 10 and otherwise meet the in-ground criteria are treated the same as any other active-duty service member.1Arlington National Cemetery. Establishing Eligibility
Who Qualifies for Above-Ground Inurnment
Veterans who don’t meet the in-ground criteria still have a path in. Most veterans with at least one day of active service other than training and an honorable discharge are eligible for above-ground inurnment of cremated remains in the columbarium courts or niche wall. This is the broadest eligibility category and covers the majority of honorably discharged veterans.2Arlington National Cemetery. Eligibility for Burial and Inurnment at Arlington National Cemetery
The columbarium and niche wall consist of individual niches that hold urns, and the government provides a white marble niche cover at no cost. Urns must fit within 9 inches by 9 inches by 9 inches, except for companion urns, so families choosing a private urn should confirm the dimensions before the service date.3Arlington National Cemetery. Resources for Funeral Directors
Spouses, Children, and Dependent Adults
Spouses, surviving spouses, and minor children of a person eligible for Arlington are also eligible. Family members are placed in the same gravesite or niche as the primary eligible service member. An unmarried adult child may qualify if they became permanently physically or mentally dependent on the service member before age 21; the cemetery superintendent makes that determination.1Arlington National Cemetery. Establishing Eligibility
A parent of a minor or permanently dependent child already interred at Arlington on the other parent’s eligibility may also be buried in the same gravesite. A former spouse whose marriage ended by annulment or divorce is generally not eligible unless they qualify independently through their own service or another relationship.4Veterans Affairs. Eligibility For Burial In A VA National Cemetery
Families sometimes ask whether an eligible spouse can be buried at Arlington before the veteran dies. Because the gravesite is established by the primarily eligible person, this works differently at Arlington than at VA cemeteries. Families in that situation should contact Arlington directly at 877-907-8585.
Presidents and Discretionary Exceptions
Former Presidents of the United States are eligible for burial at Arlington, based on their constitutional role as Commander-in-Chief. The Secretary of the Army has also historically exercised discretionary authority to grant exceptions for individuals whose contributions to the nation were exceptional, including certain high-ranking government officials whose service significantly affected national security. These exceptions are rare and decided case by case.
Who Is Barred From Burial
Federal law permanently bars two groups regardless of military record:
- Anyone convicted of a federal offense carrying a possible life sentence or death penalty, or a state crime involving the willful, deliberate killing of another person that carries the same potential sentence. The conviction must be final, with all appeals exhausted. The bar does not apply if the President or a state governor commuted the sentence.5Office of the Law Revision Counsel. 38 USC 2411
- Anyone convicted of a crime that makes them a Tier III sex offender under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act, if they were sentenced to at least life imprisonment or 99 years. This also covers individuals who would have been convicted but died or fled before trial.6eCFR. 38 CFR 38.617
The capital-crime prohibition applies across all national cemeteries, including Arlington.
Arlington Versus VA National Cemeteries
Arlington is run by the U.S. Army, not the Department of Veterans Affairs. That matters, because Arlington’s rules are significantly stricter than those governing the 155-plus VA national cemeteries. At a VA cemetery, virtually any veteran who did not receive a dishonorable discharge can be buried, along with their spouse and dependent children. At Arlington, most of those same veterans qualify only for above-ground inurnment.2Arlington National Cemetery. Eligibility for Burial and Inurnment at Arlington National Cemetery
When a veteran doesn’t meet Arlington’s requirements, a VA national cemetery is the natural alternative. VA cemeteries provide a headstone or marker, a burial flag, and military funeral honors at no cost. Families can check eligibility on the VA’s website or by calling the National Cemetery Scheduling Office at 800-535-1117.4Veterans Affairs. Eligibility For Burial In A VA National Cemetery
Confirming Eligibility When the Time Comes
Arlington does not verify eligibility ahead of time. There is no pre-need determination, and a spot cannot be reserved in advance. Eligibility is confirmed only at the time of death.1Arlington National Cemetery. Establishing Eligibility
When the time comes, the next of kin or funeral director should call Arlington’s scheduling office at 877-907-8585 with these documents ready:7Arlington National Cemetery. Funeral Information
- The DD214 or equivalent discharge papers, which verify active duty service, discharge status, and rank.
- A certified death certificate.
- A cremation certificate, if applicable.
Keeping the veteran’s DD214 and service records accessible now will make it far easier to confirm eligibility quickly when it matters.