Disability Law Claims Blog

Veteran and statesman, Senator Edward M. Kennedy to be laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery

News that Senator Ted Kennedy will be laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery this Saturday has led many people to ask, "What qualifies someone to be buried in the cemetery?"

Generally anyone who was discharged honorably from the Armed Forces during their last period of active duty may qualify for burial or inurnment in the Columbarium at Arlington National Cemetery. Certain members of the Reserve Component of the Armed Forces may also qualify for burial or inurnment.

Non-veterans may also meet eligibility requirements for Arlington National Cemetery if they are:

• The President or former President of the United States
• Spouses, minor children, and certain adult children of eligible veterans, or any other person already buried at the cemetery
• American citizens that served in the Armed Forces of another government allied with the U.S. during any war in which the U.S. was engaged
• Certain NOAA or U.S. Public Health Service commissioned officers

 Senator Ted Kennedy enlisted in the United States Army in June, 1951, and was discharged in March 1953, as a private first class. As a former member of the Armed Forces who served on active duty and held an elective office in the U.S. Government, Senator Kennedy qualifies for a ground burial at Arlington National Cemetery.

 May Senator Kennedy and the thousands of other veterans that have been buried in the cemetery rest in peace for eternity.

 Read more about establishing eligibility for burial at Arlington National Cemetery.