Attending a Service at Arlington National Cemetery: A Guide for Families
Welcome to Arlingtoncemetery.com, a private website* offering information and assistance to families attending a service at Arlington National Cemetery. This esteemed location serves as the final resting place for the brave men and women who have served our country. It is a privilege to be able to pay our respects to them at this sacred place.
As you prepare to attend a service at the cemetery, there are a few things you may want to consider. Formal or semi-formal attire is traditionally worn to show respect, and many visitors choose to wear suits, dresses, or dress pants and a collared shirt. Some people also choose to remove hats or head coverings as a sign of respect when entering the cemetery.
Please note that families are not allowed to arrive more than 59 minutes before their scheduled service time. (Arlington Cemetery recommends 45 minutes.) When you arrive at the cemetery, you’ll be directed to the Administration Building parking lot. A receptionist will greet you and let you know which family room you have been assigned to. An Arlington Cemetery representative and military officiant will meet with you in the family room to discuss the details of the service and answer any questions you may have. When it’s time for the service to begin, the representative will either lead you to the transfer point for full honors services or directly to the grave for standard honors or dependent services.
During the service, it is important to remain respectful and quiet out of consideration for the family and the deceased. If you have been given permission to take photographs by the family, you may do so as long as you remain behind the chairs. Please note that flash photography is discouraged as it can be a distraction to the family and the military. Non-flash photography is allowed, but it’s important to be mindful of your surroundings and to avoid disrupting the service.
In addition to the service itself, there are a number of other services that families may be interested in. These may include transportation, a florist, a bagpiper, photography and video coverage, and a place to gather after the service for a reception.
The Cemetery:
Arlington National Cemetery
1 Memorial Drive Arlington VA 22211
Official website: www.arlingtoncemetery.mil
(877) 907-8585 or (703) 607-8000
April 1st – September 30th: 8AM – 7PM
October 1st – March 30th: 8AM – 5PM
Climate:
Quick Climate Information: July and August are the hottest (80 °F avg.) and wettest (3.6″ avg.) months. January and February are the coldest (37 °F avg.) months. While these are averages, it can get brutally cold in December, January and February, and brutally hot in June, July, August and even September.
| Hottest Month | July (80 °F avg) |
|---|---|
| Coldest Month | January (37 °F avg) |
| Wettest Month | July (3.6″ avg) |
| Windiest Month | March (9 mph avg) |
| Annual precip. | 19.30″ (per year) |
Attending a funeral at Arlington National Cemetery is a solemn and respectful occasion, and it’s important to dress appropriately for the weather. Here are some tips for what to wear for each season:
Spring: For a funeral at Arlington National Cemetery in the spring, you’ll want to dress in formal, conservative attire. A suit or a dress with a jacket would be appropriate for both men and women. Make sure to wear comfortable shoes that you can walk in, as you may need to walk up to two miles and then walk a short distance on grass.
Summer: In the summer months, you’ll want to dress in lightweight, formal clothing to stay comfortable in the heat. A suit or dress with a jacket would be appropriate for both men and women. Again, make sure to wear comfortable shoes that you can walk in.
Fall: As the weather starts to cool down in the fall, you’ll want to wear warmer, formal clothing. A suit or dress with a jacket would be appropriate for both men and women. Make sure to wear comfortable shoes that you can walk in, as you may need to walk on grass.
Winter: For a funeral at Arlington National Cemetery in the winter, you’ll want to dress in warm, formal clothing. A suit or dress with a jacket and a scarf would be appropriate for both men and women. Make sure to wear comfortable shoes that you can walk in, as well as gloves and a hat to keep warm.
It’s important to remember that a funeral is a time of mourning and respect, so you’ll want to dress in a way that reflects that. Avoid wearing bright colors or anything too casual. By following these tips, you’ll be appropriately dressed for a funeral at Arlington National Cemetery, no matter the season.
Airports:
Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (IATA: DCA), is in Arlington County and is about 4 miles from Arlington’s main gate. It is served by several major airlines. This airport is directly linked to the Metrorail system.
Dulles International Airport (IATA: IAD), is approximately 30 miles from Arlington’s main gate and accessible via shuttle bus and taxi.
Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (IATA: BWI), is about 40 miles to Arlington’s main gate. Compared to IAD and DCA, BWI is the farthest from D.C.
Bagpiper:
Norm Weaver
Norm Weaver
Norm is a highly skilled bagpiper who has been performing at Arlington National Cemetery for over 25 years. He is known for his exceptional musicianship and ability to capture the emotion of the moment with his beautiful renditions of traditional Scottish and Irish tunes.
Norm is available to play at all types of ceremonies, including funerals, memorials, and special events. He is happy to take requests and will work with you to choose the perfect music for your occasion. His goal is to create a fitting tribute that honors your loved one and helps you celebrate their life.
With over 25 years of experience, Norm has become a trusted and respected member of the Arlington National Cemetery community. He is dedicated to providing a high level of service and professionalism, and he takes great pride in being able to help families pay tribute to their loved ones in a meaningful way. If you are interested in hiring Norm as a bagpiper for your Arlington National Cemetery service, please don’t hesitate to contact him. He would be honored to play a small part in your special day.
www.vamdbagpiper.com
(703) 577-8782
Florist:
Arlington Cemetery Florist
Arlington Cemetery Florist
Located just minutes away from Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington Cemetery Florist is the perfect choice for families looking to honor their loved ones with beautiful flowers. They offer a wide range of floral arrangements, including boxed roses, wreaths, and sprays, all of which can be customized to meet your specific needs and preferences.
When you choose Arlington Cemetery Florist for your Arlington National Cemetery service, you can be confident that your flowers will be of the highest quality and freshness. They work with a network of trusted suppliers to ensure that they always have a wide variety of flowers to choose from, and their experienced designers will carefully select the best blooms to create a stunning arrangement tailored to your preferences.
In addition to providing top-quality flowers, Arlington Cemetery Florist is also committed to providing exceptional customer service. They understand that planning a funeral can be a stressful and emotional time, and they strive to make the process as easy and stress-free as possible. That’s why they offer delivery to the chapel or graveside at Arlington National Cemetery, so you can have your flowers waiting for you when you arrive.
www.arlingtoncemeteryflorist.com
(703) 527-7110
Transportation:
Always a Pleasure
Lisa at Always a Pleasure Limousine
Lisa is an expert in transportation services for families attending services at Arlington National Cemetery. She is extremely familiar with Arlington’s procedures and is often called on by all the local funeral homes to help families get to and from the cemetery. She understands that planning a funeral or memorial can be a stressful and emotional time, and she is committed to providing a high level of professionalism and compassion to help make the process as smooth and easy as possible.
Her company offers a range of transportation options to fit the needs of any family. They can pick you up at your hotel, airport, train station, or local residence, and take you to and from your Arlington service. They have a fleet of comfortable and reliable vehicles, and all of their drivers are experienced and trained to provide a safe and smooth ride.
Lisa and her team are dedicated to providing exceptional customer service, and they will work with you to ensure that your transportation needs are met. Whether you need a ride to and from the cemetery, or you need assistance coordinating transportation for a larger group, they are here to help. If you have any questions or would like to make a reservation, please don’t hesitate to contact Lisa. She and her staff are here to assist you in any way they can.
lisa@alwaysapleasure.net
(703) 406-9697
Video / Photography / Live Streaming:
Arlington Media
Arlington Media
Cliff and his team at Arlington Media are known for their outstanding videography and photography services, particularly when it comes to covering services at Arlington National Cemetery. With years of experience and a dedication to excellence, they are the gold standard in their field and have received numerous exceptional reviews from satisfied families. They are able to capture the emotion and significance of these special occasions in a way that is both respectful and memorable.
Whether you want to create a DVD, Blu-ray, or live-web streaming of your service, Cliff and his team have the skills and equipment to produce a high-quality video that you and your family can cherish for years to come. They also offer a range of photo options, including DVD-Roms, unlisted online links, USB drives, and photo books, so you can choose the format that works best for you.
While the cemetery’s official photographer and videographer are responsible for archiving the important events that take place at the cemetery every day, they do not normally provide coverage for family services. Please note that Arlington Media is not the official photographer or videographer for Arlington National Cemetery. Despite the outstanding quality of their videos and photos, we want to make sure families are aware of this distinction. If you are interested in hiring Cliff and his team to cover your Arlington service, please don’t hesitate to contact them. They would be honored to play a small part in your special day.
.
www.arlington.media
(202) 536-3000
Reception Venues:
Women’s Memorial
2 Memorial Drive
Arlington, VA 22202
www.womensmemorial.org
(703) 533-1155
The memorial has a list of approved caterers.
Fort Myer Officers Club
214 Jackson Ave.
Fort Myer, VA 22211
jbmhh.armymwr.com
1-703-524-7000
Fort Myer, VA 22211
jbmhh.armymwr.com
1-703-696-3469
Places to Gather:
Accommodations:
318 Jackson Ave Bldg. 50, Fort Myer, VA 22211
ihg.com
1 703 696-3576
Key Bridge Marriott
1401 Lee Hwy.
Arlington, VA 22209
marriott.com
1-703-524-6400
Le Méridien Arlington
1121 19th St. N.
Arlington, VA 22209
https://www.marriott.com/
1-703-351-9170
Days Inn Arlington/Washington DC
2201 Arlington Blvd.
Arlington, VA 22201
daysinn.com
1-703-525-0300
2000 Jefferson Davis Hwy.
Arlington, VA 22202
hamptoninn3.hilton.com
1-703-418-8181
An Important Disclaimer:
From arlingtoncemetery.mil’s website: Arlington National Cemetery (ANC), the Army National Military Cemeteries and the U.S. Army do not recommend, endorse or contract with any photographers, videographers, limousine, private coach services, florists or hotels for the purposes of providing those and related services to family members laying their loved ones to rest at Arlington National Cemetery. There is no official photographer, videographer, florist or bagpiper for families interring their loved one at ANC. If a person so represents themselves to you, they may be attempting to scam or mislead you. Finally, if an email address or website does not end in .mil, this person or company is not connected to ANC or the Army.
From arlingtoncemetery.com’s website: To avoid any misunderstand, arlingtoncemetery.com never sends emails to families. Please note that the cemetery is not allowed to recommend any private vendors. This private site is simply meant to help families as they make plans for an upcoming Arlington service. We hope that it will be a useful resource as you prepare to honor your loved one at this special place.