Because Arlington National Cemetery staff cannot officially endorse private companies, we created this independent website to help families coordinate additional services in the Washington, D.C. area. We hope this resource brings you comfort and ease as you prepare to honor your loved one. For official cemetery information, please visit ArlingtonCemetery.mil.
What to Expect on the Day of the Service
- Arrival Time: Arlington Cemetery recommends arriving 45 minutes before your scheduled service. (Please note: Families are not permitted to arrive more than 60 minutes early.)
- Parking & Check-In: You will be directed to the Administration Building parking lot. In the Administration Building a receptionist will greet you and guide you to your assigned family room.
- Pre-Service Meeting: An Arlington Cemetery representative and a military officiant will meet you in your family room to walk through the service details and answer any questions you may have.
- Proceeding to the Service: When it is time to begin, your representative will escort you to the transfer point (for full honors) or directly to the gravesite (for standard honors or dependent services).
Additional Services
In addition to the service itself, you may be interested in arranging:
The Cemetery:
Arlington National Cemetery
1 Memorial Drive
Arlington, VA 22211
Official website: arlingtoncemetery.mil
Phone: (877) 907-8585 or (703) 607-8000
1 Memorial Drive
Arlington, VA 22211
Official website: arlingtoncemetery.mil
Phone: (877) 907-8585 or (703) 607-8000
Arlington National Cemetery is open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
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.
| Climate Aspect | Value |
|---|---|
| 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 Precipitation | 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, 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. Showers are common.
Summer: In the summer months, you'll want to dress in lightweight clothing to stay comfortable in the heat. Bring an umbrella to stay out of the rain and the sun. 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 clothing in layers. 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 clothing. Make sure to wear comfortable shoes that you can walk in, as well as gloves and a hat to keep warm.
Bagpiper:
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 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 music 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.
A service date and time is the first step in booking a bagpiper. Norm is in high demand, so book as early as you can.
www.vamdbagpiper.com
(703) 577-8782
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:
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 most 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.
A service date and time is the first step in booking transportation. Lisa is in high demand, so book as early as you can.
lisa@alwaysapleasure.net
(703) 406-9697
Photography / Video / Live Streaming:
Arlington Media
Cliff and his team at Arlington Media are known for their outstanding videography and photography services when it comes to covering services at Arlington National Cemetery. With years of experience and a dedication to excellence, they are the gold standard 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.
VIDEO: With video coverage they can provide the edited service as an unlisted online link. USBs are available at an additional charge. Live-web streaming is also available as an add-on to any video coverage. 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.
PHOTOGRAPHY: Using the latest and best camera equipment, they offer a complete range of photo options. Digital photos are provided in an unlisted online link. USBs are available at an additional charge. High quality photo books are also available.
You can also combine photo and video coverage together.
Arlington Media is not the official photographer or videographer for Arlington National Cemetery. The cemetery's official photographers and videographers are responsible for archiving the important events that take place at the cemetery every day, VIP visits, historical services, etc., they do not provide coverage for family services. 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.
A service date and time is the first step in booking photo or video coverage. Arlington Media is in high demand, so book as early as you can.
www.arlington.media
(202) 536-3000
Reception Venues:
Fort Myer Officers Club
214 Jackson Ave.
Fort Myer, Virginia 22211
Fort Myer Recreation Center
228 McNair Rd. Building 405
Fort Myer, Virginia 22211
Military Women's Memorial
They have a list of caterers approved to work inside the museum.
2 Memorial Drive
Arlington, Virginia 22202
Top of the Town Reception Facility
1400 14th Street North
Arlington, Virginia 22209
Restaurants:
Bonefish Grill
1101 S Joyce St ste b26
Arlington, Virginia 22202
Ireland's Four Courts
2051 Wilson Boulevard
Arlington, Virginia 22201
Lebanese Taverna
1101 S Joyce St
Arlington, Virginia 22202
Ruth's Chris Steak House
2231 Crystal Dr 11th Floor
Arlington, Virginia 22202
The Cheesecake Factory
2900 Clarendon Boulevard
Arlington, Virginia 22201
Tupelo Honey
We've hosted Arlington National Cemetery receptions on average once a week for the last 2 years—most commonly in a semi-private space that seats up to 50 at the very back of our restaurant. It's an honor to be a part of such a memorable & emotional day in our guests' lives and we make it a priority to go above & beyond to guarantee that our portion of the ANC event is stress-free & extremely special for the families of the deceased — from our custom menus with their loved ones photos printed in the heading, to our in memoriam plaque that we offer the free option of putting their loved ones name on.
1616 North Troy Street
Arlington, Virginia 22201
Accommodations:
Best Western Rosslyn/Iwo Jima
1501 Arlington Blvd.
Arlington, Virginia 22209
Days Inn Arlington/Washington DC
2201 Arlington Blvd.
Arlington, Virginia 22201
Hampton Inn & Suites National Airport
2000 Jefferson Davis Hwy.
Arlington, Virginia 22202
IHG Army Hotels Wainwright Hall – Historia
318 Jackson Ave Bldg. 50
Fort Myer, Virginia 22211