COVID-19 Information
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: September 18, 2020
Arlington National Cemetery is open for gravesite visitation ONLY from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Cemetery policy requires all visitors to wear face coverings and practice social distancing while visiting these hallowed grounds. Several places of interest will remain closed to ensure health protection conditions:
• The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and Memorial Amphitheater remain closed to the public.
• The exhibits in the Welcome Center remain closed.
• Arlington House, which is managed by the National Park Service, remains closed for a rehabilitation project.
For more information on the limited reopening, please click here.
FAQ
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 the Tomb and Memorial Amphitheater still closed?
A: At this time, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and Memorial Amphitheater remain closed due to major renovations.
Q: Why are buses not allowed?
A: This limited reopening is the first stage in ensuring that ANC and its staff are adequately equipped to open while keeping visitors and employees safe. Visitors may arrive via private vehicle, public transportation or ride share. Buses will not be authorized to park at the ANC parking garage and will be asked to turn around.
Q: Even though no buses are allowed, will large groups still be able to tour the cemetery?
A: Tour buses and school groups are not permitted at this time. We will make a public announcement when large groups are authorized in the cemetery.
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.
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.
UPDATE: March 31, 2020
• Effective immediately, Arlington National Cemetery is suspending all issuance of temporary visitation passes.
• Family pass holders visiting a gravesite will be admitted with their family pass.
Official U.S. Government Information on COVID-19:
Frequently Asked Questions
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. Has Arlington National Cemetery ever closed to visitors due to a health or other public emergency?
A. Yes. Arlington National Cemetery has previously closed to visitors due to weather emergencies, such as the flash floods that occurred in the Arlington area in July 2019, and a bomb threat in 2018. ANC takes seriously its commitment to the safety of all those who work at and visit these hallowed grounds.
Q. Are physical security procedures still in place?
A. Yes. All visitors—to include family pass holders and funeral attendees—must show their government-issued ID card or a passport. Physical screenings remain in place as well.
