Wreaths Across America Family Pass Holder Day: Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024
On Sunday, Dec. 8, the annual Wreaths Across America Family Pass Holder Day will be held at Arlington National Cemetery and the Soldiers' and Airmen's Home National Cemetery. From 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., family pass holders are invited to place a wreath at their loved one’s grave ahead of the National Wreaths Across America Day.
No registration is necessary, but both pedestrian and driving family pass holders must have an official ANC family pass to receive a wreath to place. Photocopies of family passes will not be accepted.
The cemetery will be open to the public on this day. However, wreaths will be provided only to family pass holders. One wreath will be provided per family pass and up to three wreaths per vehicle if there are multiple passes in the vehicle. Issuance of wreaths will be in line with the criteria for issuance of a permanent family pass: limited to parents, spouse, siblings and children of the deceased. No wreaths will be available for the general public on Family Pass Holder Day.
Important Details for Family Pass Holders
• ANC family pass holders may drive into the cemetery through the main entrance (1 Memorial Ave.). Old Post Chapel Gate will also be open to those who are DoD ID card holders.
• If traveling by Metro, please use the Arlington Cemetery (Blue line) to enter and exit through the cemetery’s main entrance.
• This year, wreaths will be available for pick-up immediately upon arrival on Memorial Avenue (main cemetery entrance). DoD ID card holders may enter and pick-up wreaths at the Old Post Chapel Gate.
• Memorial Avenue will be a one-way entrance to the cemetery with multiple lanes of wreath distribution to alleviate traffic congestion. Family pass holders may exit only via the Ord & Weitzel and Service Complex Gates. DoD ID card holders can exit through the Old Post Chapel gate.
• Once family pass holders enter ANC, they will be unable to drive across Memorial Avenue to access the other side of the grounds.
• Click here or on the map above for a larger, printable guide to distribution points and routes throughout the cemetery.
• Family pass holders have all day to visit and reflect on this special day. There is no rush to arrive during the early morning hours.
• The tram will not operate paid tours on Family Pass Holder Day; however, the graveside shuttle will be available for those who require transportation. There may be delays, depending on the number of riders utilizing this complimentary service.
• If a family pass holder chooses to place a wreath at the Soldiers’ and Airmen’s Home National Cemetery (SAHNC), a wreath may be picked up at the Memorial Avenue distribution point and taken to SAHNC.
• Family Pass Holder Day is only for families to place wreaths on their loved ones’ graves. Family pass holders cannot use their pass to explore cemetery grounds.
We look forward to having you here at Arlington National Cemetery to honor and remember our nation’s finest during the holiday season.