| General
Information:
Chapel services can be requested for any type of authorized
burial service at Arlington. Availability is subject to the number of
requests for chapel funeral services and is not decided by the chaplain
section. You may request the services of an organist. An Air Force chaplain
will serve as an escort when civilian clergy are presiding. The content
of a chapel service is dependent on the religious leader and the family,
and Arlington does not dictate content. It is requested that you speak
with the Air Force chaplain for planning purposes so that your specific
needs can be addressed. However, due to the large number of services
at ANC, the actual chapel service can last no longer than 20 minutes.
For specific information, please contact the interment section at (703)
607-8585 or contact the cemetery representative upon arrival.
Specific
Information:
Full
Honors:
Entering the Chapel:
- We suggest that you arrive at Old Post Chapel on Fort Myer at
least 30 minutes prior to the service, to allow time to speak to
the cemetery representative, the Air Force chaplain, and the family.
The chaplain will serve as your escort for military honors both
in and out of the chapel and can explain military protocol for the
service.
- Just before the ceremony begins, stand with the chaplain and salute
as the remains are brought out of the vehicle and into the chapel.
See the Starting
Diagram and the symbols
chart for more information.
- Casket: When inside, please wait inside the chapel's inner doors
while the casket is positioned on the trolley.
- Or, if an urn, wait until the urn bearer has secured the urn and
is ready to proceed.
- Before proceeding, ask the congregation to stand as the remains
are ushered in.
- Please remember that military head gear is not worn inside the
chapel.
- Please remember that weapons of any type are not allowed in the
chapel sanctuary.
In the Chapel:
- Please conduct your chapel service according to the dictates of
your faith. The length of the actual service inside the chapel
cannot normally exceed 20 minutes. We ask for your consideration
regarding the length of your service due to the other families that
will have services in the Chapel during that day.
- · At the conclusion of your service, the chaplain will
escort you to the center isle. You will then turn and face the casket
/urn. The ushers will then come forward and secure the remains.
As you leave the rostrum, the organist will play recessional music.
See Leaving
the Chapel for more information.
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. See leaving
the chapel.
- Remain next to the chaplain so that military honors are not hindered.
- When outside, stand by the chaplain and salute when you stop (Civilian
dress: place your right hand over your heart). If you move in front
of the flag, please salute (Civilian dress: place your right hand
over your heart) while you walk past the flag-draped caisson.
- At this point, you may elect to walk with the chaplain or ride
with the family.
Funeral Processional:
- The chaplain will escort the processional to the place of burial
or inurnment.
- The cemetery representative will line the funeral processional
up as necessary. If you are unable to attend the chapel portion
of the service, we advise you go by the Administration Building
(703) 607-8585 and ask for a map that will give you directions to
the gravesite. It is also highly recommended that you do this at
least one hour in advance in order to find the gravesite. Once you
have located that gravesite, please park as far away as possible
so not to interfere with the funeral procession. We also ask that
you remain in your car until the funeral procession arrives, you
may be asked by the cemetery representative to move your car farther
from the gravesite in order to accommodate the procession.
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Standard
Honors
Entering the Chapel:
- We suggest that you arrive at Old Post Chapel on Fort Myer at
least 30 minutes prior to the service, to allow time to speak to
the cemetery representative, the Air Force chaplain, and to the
family. The chaplain will serve as your escort for this service
and can explain military protocol for this service.
- Just before the ceremony begins, stand with the chaplain and salute
as the remains are brought out of the vehicle and into the chapel.
See the Starting
Diagram and the symbols
chart for more information.
- Please walk with the chaplain into the chapel foyer when indicated.
- Casket: When inside, please wait inside the Chapel's inner doors
while the casket is positioned on the trolley, and then begin the
processional to the front of the chapel.
- Before proceeding, ask the congregation to stand as the remains
are ushered in.
- Please remember that military head gear is not worn inside the
chapel.
- Please remember that weapons of any type are not allowed into
the chapel sanctuary.
In the Chapel:
- Please conduct your chapel service according to the dictates of
your faith. The length of the actual service inside the chapel cannot
normally exceed 20 minutes. We ask for your consideration regarding
the length of your service due to the other services that will also
be held in the chapel during that day. Time is a constant concern,
due to the number of services held here each day.
- At the conclusion of your services, please walk to the center
aisle, and walk to the rear of the casket /urn, facing the casket/urn
to the front. 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. See leaving
the chapel.
- When outside, stand by the chaplain and salute when you stop (Civilian
dress: place your right hand over your heart). After the remains
are secured in the vehicle, you may proceed to your personal transportation.
If you move in front of the flag, please salute (Civilian dress:
place your right hand over your heart) while you walk past.
Funeral Processional:
- The cemetery representative will line the funeral procession up
as needed.
- The chaplain will join the Arlington Lady and escort and proceed
to the place of interment or inurnment.
- Visiting clergy should secure personal transportation and follow
the procession as directed. If you are unable to attend the chapel
portion of the service, we advise you go by the Administration Building
(703) 607-8585 and ask for a map that will give you directions to
the gravesite. It is also highly recommended that you do this at
least one hour in advance in order to find the gravesite. Once you
have located that gravesite, please park as far away as possible
so not to interfere with the funeral procession. We also ask that
you remain in your car until the funeral procession arrives, you
may be asked by the cemetery representative to move your car farther
from the gravesite in order to accommodate the procession.
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No
Military Honors
No Military Honors: ANC Air Force chaplains
do not escort visiting clergy during a No Honors funeral. However,
if you need the assistance of an Air Force ANC chaplain, please call
(703) 694-4584, and we will gladly assist you.
Entering the Chapel:
- We suggest that you arrive at Old Post Chapel on Fort Myer at
least 30 minutes before the service, to allow time to speak to the
cemetery representative and to the family.
- Please walk with the into the chapel foyer area when directed
by the cemetery representative. See symbol
chart.
- Casket: When inside, please wait inside the chapel's inner doors
while the casket is positioned on the trolley, or the urn is secured.
- The ushers will then turn to face you; this is your cue to begin
the processional into the chapel.
- Before proceeding down the isle, please ask the congregation to
stand as the remains are ushered in.
- Please remember that military headgear is not worn inside the
chapel.
- Please remember that weapons of any type are not allowed into
the chapel sanctuary.
In the Chapel:
- Please conduct your chapel service according to the dictates of
your faith. The length of the actual service inside the chapel cannot
normally exceed 20 minutes. We ask for your consideration regarding
the length of your service due to other services that are also held
in the chapel this day. Time is a constant concern, due to the number
of services held here each day.
- At the conclusion of your service, please walk to the center aisle
and turn to face the remains. The organist will begin the recessional
music and the ushers will then come forward and secure the remains.
Leaving the Chapel:
- When the ushers have secured the remains they will turn and face
you. See diagram.
- 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 chapel.
Funeral Processional: Proceed to your
personal vehicle as directed by the cemetery representative. If you
are unable to attend the chapel portion of the service, we advise
you go by the Administration Building (703) 607-8585 and ask for a
map that will give you directions to the gravesite. It is also highly
recommended that you do this at least one hour in advance in order
to find the gravesite. Once you have located that gravesite, please
park as far away as possible so not to interfere with the funeral
procession. We also ask that you remain in your car until the funeral
procession arrives, you may be asked by the cemetery representative
to move your car farther from the gravesite in order to accommodate
the procession.
Last updated:
August 14, 2003
POC: CH
(Capt.) Robert W. "Bill" Johnson
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