New Eligibility Rules for Arlington Cemetery Would Exclude Most Non-combat Veterans

Officials are moving to limit the number of individuals eligible for burial at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia, restricting below-ground sites to combat heroes, battle casualties and a small pool of notable dignitaries.

Under the proposal, which still needs to be finalized through a public rulemaking process, some other veterans will still be eligible for storage of cremated remains at the famed site in above-ground structures, which will allow planners additional flexibility and space in coming decades.

The move by the Army, which administers the cemetery, is part of an ongoing effort to extend how long the cemetery can be used as a final resting place for America’s service members. Army officials have for the last two years considered a series of site expansions and facility changes in an effort to deal with dwindling space at the site.

“Arlington National Cemetery is a national shrine for all Americans, but especially those who have served our great nation,” acting Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy said in a statement. “We must ensure it can honor those we have lost for many years to come.”

The 154-year-old cemetery, originally established as an overflow site for mounting Civil War casualties, has become one of the most hallowed military sites in America. More than 3 million visitors travel to the site annually.

Only about 100,000 burial sites are left at the cemetery, tucked between the Potomac River and the ever growing northern Virginia suburbs. Expansion plans are expected to keep burials on pace into the 2040s, but not much beyond that.

Under the latest proposal, 1,000 gravesites would be set aside for current and future Medal of Honor recipients, to ensure space is reserved for those recipients of the highest military honor.

In addition to them, below-ground burials would be restricted to these other military groups:

— Troops killed in action, to include repatriated remains

— Purple Heart recipients

— Award recipients of the Silver Star or a higher honor

— Combat-related service deaths “while conducting uniquely military activities”

— Former prisoners of war

— Veterans with combat service who “made significant contributions to the nation’s security” in other government posts

— Former presidents and vice presidents of the United States