I think cremation is becoming more popular among the larger public and if it’s similarly popular among veterans, that would reduce the need for veterans cemeteries. (Although presumably many of the new cemeteries are in more rural areas than Arlington, so space isn’t an issue.)
With the caveat that rules are subject to change…
While burial at Arlington is restricted already, anyone eligible for burial in any veteran’s cemetary used to be able to have their cremate remains stashed on a shelf there.
Also, my father-in-law (WWII vet) was cremated and his ashes take up a full burial space at Quantico National Cemetary.
The National Cemetery at Riverside, California, has in-ground interment for cremated remains. There is also a wall along the North boundary of the cemetery, and it is a columbarium, containing niches. My parents are inurned there.
A veteran and his or her spouse is entitled to burial at a National Cemetery, if there is space. ANY honorable service entitles the veteran to this benefit. And any veteran is eligible, regardless of length or specific job in the service. Military service, whether in wartime or peace, is a personal sacrifice and dedication for our country. There is absolutely no need to “segregate” deceased servicemembers!
Under certain circumstances, other family members may be buried in a National Cemetery. My paternal grandparents lost two babies in childhood, during my grandfather’s time in the Army. One child is buried in Sitka National Cemetery in Alaska; the other is buried at the old Ft Sheridan National Cemetery in Illinois.
When I go to visit my parents at Riverside National Cemetery, I am in awe by all the people there. I walk along the columbarium, and I read the names, I see the military service memorialized on the markers, and I mentally say to these people’s memories, “Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.”
~VOW
There are other reasons also that one would be wary of being buried at Arlington. Their record for keeping track of remains has not been the best as of late.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/06/10/AR2010061005638.html
And of course, someone might prefer to be buried (or to have their loved ones buried) at one of the other cemeteries over the one in Arlington simply because it’s easier for their surviving family and friends to visit them at one of the other locations.
Pretty sure family members can’t be buried in the national cemeteries unless they serve too, so that would be another factor in deciding whether or not someone wished to be buried there.
Also, any veteran is entitled to a free grave marker or medallion from the Veterans Administration for a grave in any burial location, not just in one of the national cemeteries.
My dad (a WWII vet) is buried in a local cemetery but has a veteran’s grave marker, just like the ones in Arlington and other veterans’ cemeteries.
Not true. Within certain rules (described in the link in the post below), spouses, children and even parents can be buried in a national cemetery.
Someone needs to bookmark this thread and bump it in about 2 years as a zombie.
I’ll send you a picture of my father’s deceased infant brother buried at Ft Sheridan National Cemetery. There are many child and infant markers there. One family lost a child at birth for about five years in a row. Heartbreaking.
I saw another marker for the niece of an active duty servicemember.
~VOW