Visiting Clergy Guide 

No Military Honors — Columbarium Inurnment

funerals-visiting-clergy-guide-6

General Information

Funeral services without military honors are for spouses or dependents of military members who are eligible to be buried at Arlington National Cemetery (ANC). A military chaplain may be requested at no additional cost to the family, if no civilian religious leader will be present.

The service will begin at the curb near the burial site. Plan on arriving at the ANC Administration Building about 30 minutes before the service, which will allow you time to meet with the family and with the Cemetery Representative. There are no salutes rendered during this type of service. For additional information, ask the Cemetery Representative upon arrival.


To the Columbarium

  • Look for the Cemetery Representative, who can help you regarding protocol. Another helpful person is the OIC or NCOIC (Officer or Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge). At the columbarium, stand by the OIC/NCOIC at the curb.

  • The pallbearer will remove the urn from the Cemetery Representative's car and prepare to march to the niche where the urn will be placed. The Cemetery Representative can show you the niche location before the ceremony begins.

  • Lead the procession, after the pallbearer has retrieved the remains and is ready to follow you.


At the Columbarium

  • When all have arrived at the niche, the Cemetery Representative will invite a family member to place the remains in the niche.

  • At this point, the Cemetery Representative will look to you to for the interment service or its equivalent.

  • Please conduct this brief service according to your faith. At the end of the service, you are welcome to offer condolences to the family. Also please be mindful of time; there are an average of 23 services per day at ANC. We request that you keep your service under ten minutes in length. 

  • The Cemetery Representative will announce that services have concluded, and invite people to return to their cars.