Eligibility for Interment of Cremated Remains in Unmarked Area

Any veteran who is eligible for interment (ground burial) and their dependent(s) may have their cremated remains placed in a designated unmarked area of the cemetery. Family members must be placed in this area once one member has had their remains placed here. The ashes must be in a biodegradable container or placed without container directly into the ground.

A letter requesting an exception to policy should be submitted to the Superintendent, Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA 22211. A request for an exception to policy will not be considered until the death of the individual. Letters may be faxed to the Superintendent on telephone number (703) 607-8583. The letter should contain the following information:

1. Name of the deceased.
2. Reason(s) why the deceased should be favorably considered for an exception to policy. All relevant information regarding military service or service to the nation should be included. All documentation of service should be included (i.e., DD Form 214, award certificates, orders, etc.)
3. If interment is to be in the same grave as someone already interred, provide the full name of the previously interred person and the section/grave number where interred, if known. Include the relationship of the deceased to the previously interred person.
4. Include a point of contact and both a daytime and evening telephone number for questions concerning additional information and notification purposes.
5. Family member or personal representative will read and sign the public disclosure form and forward it with the exception request. Copies of the public disclosure form are available at the Administration Building or you may telephone for a copy of the form on telephone numbers (703) 607-8585.
6. Exceptions for new gravesite will be reviewed by the Superintendent and forwarded to the Assistant Secretary of the Army (Manpower and Reserve Affairs) who will thoroughly review all information submitted and then provide a recommendation to the Secretary of the Army who will make the decision.

The Secretary of the Army will make a decision on the request based on all information submitted by the decedent's NOK or representative through the Superintendent, ANC.

Justification for the specific waiver is the responsibility of the requestor.  The Department of Defense does not conduct research to help justify waivers for internment or inurnment to ANC.  Each request for exception to the interment and inurnment policies will be evaluated using the following considerations:

a. A decedent’s specific military service (contributions and acts) that directly and substantially benefited the United States military.

b. A decedent’s specific civilian service (contributions and acts) that directly and substantially benefited the United States military, and which demonstrates the manner and level of sacrifice or heroism typical of military service.

c. Finally, whether the decedent’s combined military and civilian service presents extraordinary circumstances that justify approving an exception to the policy.

d. The degree to which a decedent meets eligibility standards for interment or inurnment.

e. The degree of consistency with past decisions.

f . The potential impact of a decision, as precedent, for future requests of like circumstance or degree.

A person requesting an exception for a decedent should provide factual, detailed information, supported with accurate documentation, for each of the criteria in subsections (a) through (c) above. 

Decisions generally provided within 5 to 7 work days after receipt of the request.

Burden of Proof in Establishing Eligibility

The estate of the deceased (or next-of-kin/personal representative) is responsible for providing the appropriate documentation to verify the veteran's eligibility for interment or for inurnment. The cemetery staff may offer assistance in verifying the veteran's eligibility. However, the veteran or their spouse must be deceased prior to the cemetery staff assisting with the verification. Verification by the cemetery staff may take up to three workdays.

Veterans who desire copies of their military records should write to: National Personnel Records Center, Attention: Military Personnel Records, 1 Reserve Way, St Louis, Missouri 63132. Please allow six to eight months for a response from the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC).

Some example documents for establishing eligibility are: DD Form 214 (all branches starting in the 1950's); WD AGO Form 53, 53-55, or 53-98 for Army; NAVPERS Form 553 for Navy; and NAVMC Form 553 for the Marines during the 1940's (Both front and back of the forms are needed). A Record of Service provided by the NPRC is also acceptable. The preceding represents a partial listing of forms used during the 1940's. Some of the preceding documents do not describe the character of service. A copy of the discharge certificate which describes the character of service as "honorable" or "under honorable conditions" will meet this requirement.

Active Duty Deaths

Any member of the Uniformed Services who dies while on active duty (other than for training) will generally have their affairs processed by a casualty assistance officer from their respective branch of service. An active duty statement from the commanding officer will be required for verification of eligibility.

Contacting the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)

For burial eligibility or information, you may contact your local VA Office, the nearest VA National Cemetery, or you may visit the National Cemetery Adinistration website at

www.cem.va.gov/eligible.htm

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