Visiting Clergy Guide

Chapel Services

funerals-chaplains-chapel

General Information

Chapel services can be requested for any type of authorized burial service at Arlington National Cemetery (ANC). Availability is subject to the number of requests for chapel funeral services and is not decided by the Chaplain Section. You may request a military chaplain, if there will be no civilian religious leader present. You may also request an organist. The content of a chapel service is determined by the religious leader and the family; ANC does not dictate content. However, due to the large number of services at ANC, the chapel service may last no longer than 20 minutes.

For all chapel services, please note:

  • Weapons of any type are not allowed into the chapel sanctuary. 

  • Military head gear is not worn inside the chapel. 

For specific questions, please call 877-907-8585 or contact the Cemetery Representative upon arrival at the cemetery.

Military Funeral Honors with Funeral Escort 

Entering the Chapel

  • We suggest that you arrive at Old Post Chapel on Ft. Myer at least 30 minutes prior to the service, to allow time to speak to the Cemetery Representative and to the family. 

  • Just before the ceremony begins, stand outside by the OIC (officer in charge), and follow his or her lead in saluting (civilians: place your right hand over your heart) as the remains are brought out of the hearse and into the chapel. 

  • Casket services: Be prepared to drop your salute and lead the casket into the chapel as the casket team makes a five-step formal turn. Urn services: After the pallbearers have retrieved the remains, begin to drop your salute and lead the procession when you hear the command "Ready - Step." 

  • Casket services: Once inside the chapel, please wait inside the inner doors while the casket is positioned on the trolley, and then begin the processional to the front of the chapel. Urn services: Please lead the processional into the chapel.

In the Chapel

  • Please conduct your chapel service according to the dictates of your faith. The length of the service inside the chapel cannot normally exceed 20 minutes, out of consideration for the other services scheduled to be held that day. 

  • At the conclusion of your service, please walk to the center aisle, and then walk to the rear of the casket/urn, facing the casket/urn. The ushers will then come forward, and the organist will play music.

Leaving the Chapel

  • Turn to the rear and lead the processional out of the chapel. If you are in vestments and wish to change clothing, you may do so before leaving the building. 

  • When outside, stand to the left, near the caisson, and salute when you stop (civilians: right hand over heart). After the remains are secured on the caisson, move to a position in front of the marching element. If you move in front of the flag, salute (civilians: right hand over heart) while you walk past the flag-draped caisson.

Funeral Processional

  • The remainder of the service will depend on whether it is an in-ground burial or a columbarium inurnment. Please click on the appropriate link at left for additional information.


Military Funeral Honors 

Entering the Chapel

  • We suggest that you arrive at Old Post Chapel on Ft. Myer at least 30 minutes prior to the service, to allow time to speak to the Cemetery Representative and to the family. 

  • Just before the ceremony begins, stand outside by the OIC (officer in charge), and follow his or her lead in saluting (civilians: right hand over heart) as the remains are brought out of the hearse and into the chapel.

  • Casket services: Be prepared to drop your salute and lead the casket into the chapel as the casket team makes a five-step formal turn. Urn services: After the pallbearers have retrieved the remains, begin to drop your salute and lead the procession when you hear the command, "Ready - Step." 

In the Chapel

  • Please conduct your chapel service according to the dictates of your faith. The length of the service inside the chapel cannot normally exceed 20 minutes, out of consideration for the other services scheduled to be held that day. 

  • At the conclusion of your service, please walk to the center aisle, and then walk to the rear of the casket/urn, facing the casket/urn. The ushers will then come forward, and the organist will play music.

Leaving the Chapel

  • Turn to the rear and lead the processional out of the chapel. If you are in vestments and wish to change clothing, you may do so before leaving the building. 

  • When outside, stand to the left, near the hearse, and salute when you stop (civilians: right hand over heart). After the remains are secured in the hearse, proceed to your car, or to the vehicle in which you will ride to the place of burial or inurnment. If you move in front of the flag, salute (civilians: right hand over heart) while you walk past the flag-draped casket.

Funeral Processional

  • The remainder of the service will depend on whether it is an in-ground burial or a columbarium inurnment. Please click on the appropriate link at left for additional information.


No Military Honors (Spouse or Dependent Funeral)

Entering the Chapel

  • We suggest that you arrive at Old Post Chapel on Ft. Myer at least 30 minutes prior to the service, to allow time to speak to the Cemetery Representative and to the family.

  • Just before the ceremony, stand outside by the OIC (officer in charge) as the remains are brought out of the hearse and into the chapel. 

  • Casket service: Be prepared to lead the casket into the chapel as the casket team makes a five-step formal turn with the casket. Urn service: Begin to lead the procession, after the pallbearer has retrieved the remains from the Cemetery Representative's car.

  • Casket service: When inside, please wait inside the chapel while the casket is positioned on the trolley, and then begin the processional to the front of the chapel. Urn service: Please lead the processional into the chapel. 

In the Chapel

  • Please conduct your chapel service according to the dictates of your faith. The length of the service inside the chapel cannot normally exceed 20 minutes, out of consideration for the other services scheduled to be held that day. 

  • At the conclusion of your service, please walk to the center aisle, and then walk to the rear of the casket/urn, facing the casket/urn. The ushers will then come forward, and the organist will play music.

Leaving the Chapel

  • Turn to the rear and lead the processional out of the chapel. If you are in vestments and wish to change clothing, you may do so before leaving the building. 

Funeral Processional

  • The remainder of the service will depend on whether it is an in-ground burial or a columbarium inurnment. Please click on the appropriate link at left for additional information.