Arlington National Cemetery Question

[Bitwit1234]

I think I remember about ten years ago the announcement was made that they were stopping burials at Arlington, except in instances of Heroes etc. because the burial ground was almost full.

I saw in the local paper that a lady was being buried in Arlington. She was not a national hero etc. just ordinary. Does anybody know why some one like you or me, who has a veteran for a husband or wife could be buried there. I am really curious.

[MethuenProgressive]

1. There are many burials at Arlington every single day.

It's not full, and not limited to vets only.
http://www.arlingtoncemetery.org/funeral_information/index.html

[nitpicker]

2. There is still space in Arlington, but only certain people can be buried

http://www.arlingtoncemetery.org/funeral_information/index.html

lists the eligibility requirements for in-ground burials and columbarium (urn) usage.

Basically, if you die while on active duty, or are a retired active-duty or Reservist, or are a close family member of an eligible person, you can still be buried in Arlington. They cleared some of the last land in Arlington a couple of years ago to expand the available space.

Urns can be used by anyone eligible for in-ground burial, and also by reservists who die while activated and by veterans who were honorably discharged from the services ((and again certain close family members)).

[BOSSHOG]

3. Also

many of the graves are now being made for two caskets, one on top of the other. So the husband may have died years ago, then when the wife passes she is bured in the same plot.

[Bitwit1234]

8. That makes sense....that could be it cause this was a woman.

[demnan]

4. My Dad and grandparents are buried at Arlington

Back in the 1950s my grandfather got reserved plots because both he and my father were officers who served in wartime. At that time that was the only criteria. One thing I know is that usually the couple are buried one on top of the other to save space.

On edit:

A few years back they expanded the grounds at Arlington. They managed to get a little more land but its a very urban area so its a tight fight.

[LiberalFighter]

5. They should require any future spots to be by cremation only.

They could do walls 5 or 6 ft tall and the spots could be about 1x1 foot square. The thickness of the wall maybe about 4 or 5ft and they could have at least 2 urns on each side with 2 markers in each 1x1 foot spot on the wall. With just a 5ft high and 1 ft wide section there could be 20 urns. Space could be reserved by spouses but would have to be made at time of first death otherwise it would be used by someone else.

At some time they need to consider removing the caskets and remains of current burials. The process needs to be determined. Not knowing how long the remains last in a casket I wouldn't know how to best proceed. But surely the much older burials could be removed and a marker on a wall used instead. Maybe if it isn't cost prohibitive cremate whatever is remaining.

I believe in Germany and possibly other countries graves are recycled.

[BOSSHOG]

9. I want to be cremated

I qualify for space in Arlington but I'd rather part of my remains be put in an urn and displayed at the Tropical Isle Bar in New Orleans. There is an urn embedded in the wall of a former parrot head who wanted his remains to be there. You'd get a lot more visitors then at Arlington.

Not to diminish the importance of Arlington but that place should be reserved for real heroes, not shmucks like me.

I visited there a few years ago and the most haunting grave I found was that of ADM Boorda, former CNO who killed himself in 96. He has a very small headstone way out in the cemetaries boonies, right next to an HM2 (E-5) who was killed in NAM. The Admirals tombstone looks on the Pentagon 24-7.

[LiberalFighter]

10. I don't think they intend it to be for the absolute war heroes

Otherwise there would be just Arlington Cemetery and not other cemeteries for the military.

Maybe there should be a limitation and maybe not. It is a difficult decision to make. Should it be just for military or should spouses be included? Are there others allowed besides congressional idiots? If so, should they be allowed?

[ThomWV]

6. My mother, sister, and step father are buried there

My step father was buried there this past summer.

[zorahopkins]

7. Retired Military

Retired military people -- and their spouses -- can be buried at Arlington.

A retired military person and his/her spouse are buried in the same grave -- one on top of the other.

[BrotherBuzz]

11. My uncle rests there and when my aunt died she got to join him.