Question on funeral at Arlington Nationa Cemetary

[Maggot]

An old friend of mine, Mike Diogo, and WWII Navy flier, died this fall and will because of a family snafu, wont be interred in Arlington until this spring. Ive been invited by the family. Ive been to funerals before but anything I should know. I figure Ill dress conservatively, black sport jacket and trousers, white or sight shirt and tie. should I take flowers or anything special.

 

[Foul Mike]

Fuck, I really don't know. Asking the wrong person.
I go to all funerals dressed how the person knew me, in coveralls.
For weddings and funerals I always wear my newest and best ones and if it is special and I know they would like it I hang a clip on tie on the collar point so it hangs down over my tit.
I have no other clothes other than coveralls and don't understand why everyone doesn't wear them.
They are very comfortable and have built in suspenders, what more could you ask for? FM
If it is cold outside, use insulated ones. At least you will be warm unlike the one going under the grass.

 

[sirhrmechanic]

I've been to two. One the dad of one of my best friends a few years ago. The other in the 1990's, a more recent veteran. But, yes, dress appropriately. Your description of your planned attire is perfectly fine and correct. Don't bother with flowers. Come back a later time if you want to leave flowers. The military handles all aspects of the funeral and there is not really a place for flowers. The 'pace' of the funeral will be quicker than what you are used to with a civilian funeral. Very rapid, orderly military precision. You won't be standing around a lot.

BTW, the 'waiting list' is likely not the family's fault. It takes months to catch up on the backlog. The scheduling of the funeral doesn't happen until the veteran has passed. And the waiting list list is very, very long these days, as WW2 veterans are passing quickly.

Sorry for your loss.... IIRC, there is a page on the Arlington web site that gives advice on dress, etc.

Sirhr

 

[Foul Mike]

Good shot Sirh.
I have been to a few at FT.Logan and they are quick, no nonsense, move out troop kind of things. Just how it should be.
They had 2 Chapels going and a line out the back door of each.
Hard to get in but once you are there, you are there forever. FM

 

[Maggot]

Thanks, guys. Those folks, Mike and his wife Joan, were friends when I really need some friends. Maggot doesnt forget.

It is a family thing. His wife is already there andi it seems arrangements must be handled by the oldest child. He, is a bit off base, living remotely in Baja Mexico and isnt interested. The older daughter is having to work through it all.

 

[powdahound76]

Nice Maggot.
I have some friends like that. 80 and 82 this year and they took care of me when I was young and too dumb to know better.
Good to have learned some lessons from that generation.

FM, might just have to invite you to my next wedding, aint sure when and I know it will happen.
I will be in black carhartts being its a formal occasion......

 

[jameslee]

I have participated in a number of burials at Arlington and suggest that you do not deliver flowers on the day of the ceremony.
Will this be a ground interment? If so, the burial site will not be closed until after the ceremony is over.
If you are local, you can deliver fresh cut flowers anytime the cemetery is open.
If you are not local, you can arrange to have flowers delivered to the grave site after the site is closed.

https://www.arlingtoncemetery.mil/Funerals/Attending-a-Funeral/Order-of-Events

 

[Redmanss]

Last Arlington burial I attended was in 2010 so things may have changed a bit, I last visited there this past May too and the biggest shift was the parking garage and tighter security. Biggest thing I'll add to above is arrive early, very early if possible as NOVA traffic is insane, and there's always the museum area to wander until it's time for the ceremony. They gather those attending the funeral in a side building away from the rest of the general visitors area, then once it's time to proceed to the funeral you will move together to the burial site, you might get a vehicle pass (I did for the funeral I attended, but again security has significantly tightened since then), but I personally prefer to walk and reflect, it's big but not that big, only a 15-20 min walk to most active burial sections from the visitor center. There's buses that can take you to all the other locations in the cemetery as well. https://www.arlingtoncemetery.mil/Funerals/Attending-a-Funeral

DO NOT bring a weapon of any sort. Treat it like an airport, there is metal detectors and x-ray machines at the entrance to the visitor center, and all access must go through there.

Everything sirhr added is 100% though, quick and efficient ceremony, will absolutely send chills down your back. Odd on the oldest child thing, any immediate family member should be able to make the arrangements for a qualifying veteran, maybe there's some sort of laws regarding designation of executor of estate in lieu of no written will or other designations by the deceased. Weird...

 

[buffalowinter]