COVID-19 Information
UPDATE: April 16, 2021
Arlington National Cemetery is reopening to tour buses and tour groups beginning April 19, 2021. Tour buses will be allowed to park on the top level of the ANC parking garage. In accordance with cemetery policy, all visitors must wear face coverings and practice social distancing. Click here for more information.
UPDATE: March 9, 2021
The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier has reopened to the public on a limited basis. Visitors will now be able to watch the changing of the guard and to pay their respects to the Unknowns. A one-way pedestrian route will begin at Memorial Drive (near the west steps of Memorial Amphitheater) and will guide visitors to the south walkway for entrance. Only 150 visitors will be allowed on the plaza stairs at any one time, in order to facilitate social distancing. Visitors will exit to the north side of Memorial Amphitheater. Click here for details.
UPDATE: October 13, 2020
• Funeral attendance has been increased to no more than 100 individuals at gravesite.
UPDATE: October 8, 2020
Tram tours at Arlington National Cemetery will resume on Friday, October 9.
• Tram tours will depart at the top of every hour, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. In the tram circle area, ticket sales will take place at a marked podium. Ticket prices remain the same, and touchless, cashless transactions are preferred.
• The tour route has been modified with only two stops: the President John F. Kennedy gravesite and Memorial Avenue. The tour still includes a historical interpretation from a narrator.
• While on the tram, guests will be directed to their seats by the driver/narrator. To ensure social distance, every other row will be empty. All trams will be deep sanitized each morning and will be thoroughly cleaned after each tour is completed. Face coverings are mandatory for all, and safety procedures also include providing face shields to narrators.
UPDATE: October 2, 2020
Beginning Saturday, October 3, Arlington National Cemetery is reopening visitation to President John F. Kennedy’s gravesite.
• Pedestrian traffic at the President John F. Kennedy gravesite will be one way, and ANC will provide directional signage to guide visitors. The one-way route will guide visitors to the right side of the Kennedy quotation wall and exit them to the left, near Joseph Kennedy’s memorial marker.
• Cemetery staff request that all visitors follow the directions provided, avoid moving any barriers and ask for assistance when needed.
• Click here for a PDF map of the area, including walking directions.
UPDATE: August 6, 2020
All personnel entering the cemetery will be required to provide proof of having face coverings in their possession during entry screening. Personnel not able to provide proof of having face coverings or masks in their possession will be turned away from cemetery entrances and will not be allowed to enter the cemetery. Visitors will wear their face coverings at all times while in the cemetery.
UPDATE: July 30, 2020
• Military funeral honors with modified escort will now be available for eligible service members. Military funeral honors with modified escort consists of individual service branch body bearers, a firing party, an escort commander with guidon, escort, bugler, drummer, national colors and chaplain. The 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment's caisson platoon may also be requested. Additionally, U.S. Army and U.S. Marine Corps service members with ranks O-6 and above may receive a caparisoned horse, and flag officers from all services may receive the appropriate presidential salute battery (PSB) gun salute.
• Military funeral honors and dependent honors will continue with branch of service-specific military honors teams.
• Please click here for additional information on these changes.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q: Which facilities remain closed?
A: • Memorial Amphitheater remains closed to the public, due to renovations.
• The exhibits in the Welcome Center remain closed.
• Arlington House, which is managed by the National Park Service, remains closed for a rehabilitation project.
Q: How do the visitor screening lanes operate?
A. The following screening lanes are available:
• Outside the Welcome Center, for direct access to cemetery grounds.
• ADA accessibility and stroller visitor screening lane: Welcome Center east entrance (nearest to the parking garage).
• One visitor screening lane is provided inside the Welcome Center for restroom access upon arrival only.
• The Welcome Center has one-directional traffic flow for visitors to enter the cemetery and restrooms.
ANC would like to kindly remind visitors that entering the cemetery through unofficial access points is considered trespassing, which is a federal offense. Access to the cemetery may vary at times; ANC asks everyone to please be patient and to follow the directions of the visitor assistants at all times.
Q: Why are military funeral honors still modified?
A: Honors are still being modified at this time for the protection of our service members, family members and personnel.
Q: Will those not following protocol be asked to leave?
A: Visitors not following Arlington National Cemetery's COVID-19 protocol for social distancing and face coverings will first be asked to comply with the policy. If a visitor refuses to comply with the policy, the visitor will be asked to leave and will be escorted off cemetery grounds by our law enforcement personnel.
Q: If ANC is an outdoor facility and has the space to allow for social distancing, why are masks still required?
A: Our first priority in response to COVID-19 is to protect our workforce, our grieving families and our visitors. Moving forward, we will continue to assess local conditions in consultation with local public health officials, and adjust our health protection posture as conditions allow. We want to ensure the health and safety of all our service members and civilians so that we can be ready to support the nation for whatever contingency arises.
Q. Have there been any changes to the process of scheduling a funeral at Arlington National Cemetery?
A. No. Families who have lost a loved one must contact the Arlington National Cemetery Call Center at 877-907-8585 to begin the scheduling process. The call center will provide instructions for scheduling a funeral.
Q. If a group wants to cancel their scheduled wreath ceremony or special event, what should they do?
A. Contact our Operations Branch at 703-614-1111 and ask to speak to a representative.
Q. Are physical security procedures still in place?
A. Yes. All visitors—including family pass holders and funeral attendees—must show their government-issued ID card or a passport. Physical screenings remain in place as well.
Official U.S. Government Information on COVID-19:
