Monthly Archives: October 2021

Photo and Video Etiquette at Arlington National Cemetery

Posted on by

When visiting the cemetery or attending an Arlington Cemetery military funeral, the commemoration of such events through photography and video is never uncommon nor discouraged. However, to ensure the ceremonies and cemetery grounds are properly respected, there are certain guidelines regarding photo and video etiquette at Arlington National Cemetery. If you’re unfamiliar with them, you should certainly review them before you go.

Arlington Media Policy

In general, Arlington Cemetery is open to the use of media by guests of the cemetery grounds. The key rule that is enforced at all times, however, is that guests be aware and mindful of each other at all times. It is strictly forbidden for media outlets to take pictures of anyone mourning in the cemetery and it’s heavily frowned upon for average guests to do the same. While commemoration is great for helping someone mourn and come to terms with the loss of a loved one, it should never come at the expense of someone else’s grief. If you have any queries about the rules or need permission before doing something, the Arlington National Cemetery’s Public Affairs Office will be your first point of contact.

Always Show Respect

Another aspect of the photo and video etiquette at Arlington National Cemetery is to treat the grounds themselves with respect. When you’re absorbed in capturing the perfect shot, it’s easy to lose awareness of your surroundings. You should never tread over other graves, and avoid flash photography if possible. While there’s no outright ban on flash photography, it can be upsetting to other guests of the cemetery who are trying to mourn their own loved ones.

Professional Photographers

Photographing or recording funeral proceedings and ceremonies can be tricky, as there are many others in attendance who are vulnerable and emotional,1 while the ceremonies themselves are full of tradition and procedures you wouldn’t want to interrupt. When possible, it’s best to rely on the expertise of professional funeral photographers. Funeral photographers are well versed in handling such a delicate event and will be able to capture the best moments without disturbing those in attendance. It will also allow you to mourn and handle your own grief without having to worry about trying to capture the event at the same time.

Full honors funerals that begin at the Old Post Chapel involve a majestic display of military honors and precision outside the walls of the chapel in preparation for the presentation and moving of the remains inside the chapel walls. At the beginning of the service, the family is seated inside, at which time, the honor guard marches into position and the US Army Band (or appropriate band based on branch of service) plays a song while the remains are transferred into the Chapel. The nuances of the Honor Guard’s mission set outside the chapel is humbling. The escort element lowers their sabers within inches of the ground, the band performs a perfection rendition of an American classic, and the flag is folded on the corners as the casket enters the building are a mere fraction of the amount of reverence these soldiers hold for the veterans they bury every day. As the service begins, the family’s attention shifts, but the @arlingtonmedia team prides itself on capturing as many moments as possible, through as many lenses, with as much discretion as we can muster to keep the focus on the family and your loved one, instead of on our team. Moments just like this, are but a few that we capture in our full galleries delivered to families to remember the service of their esteemed loved one. Here, the leader of the US Army Band holds their baton in the air as the members raise their instruments and drumsticks before beginning to conduct the band in honoring a fallen veteran at a service three weeks ago. We are honored to do the work that we do, and it would be our pleasure to speak with you further about immortalizing your loved one’s service through photographic and video media to outlast a lifetime.

Posted on by

Full honors funerals that begin at the Old Post Chapel involve a majestic display of military honors and precision outside the walls of the chapel in preparation for the presentation and moving of the remains inside the chapel walls. At the beginning of the service, the family is seated inside, at which time, the honor guard marches into position and the US Army Band (or appropriate band based on branch of service) plays a song while the remains are transferred into the Chapel. The nuances of the Honor Guard’s mission set outside the chapel is humbling. The escort element lowers their sabers within inches of the ground, the band performs a perfection rendition of an American classic, and the flag is folded on the corners as the casket enters the building are a mere fraction of the amount of reverence these soldiers hold for the veterans they bury every day. As the service begins, the family’s attention shifts, but the @arlingtonmedia team prides itself on capturing as many moments as possible, through as many lenses, with as much discretion as we can muster to keep the focus on the family and your loved one, instead of on our team. Moments just like this, are but a few that we capture in our full galleries delivered to families to remember the service of their esteemed loved one. Here, the leader of the US Army Band holds their baton in the air as the members raise their instruments and drumsticks before beginning to conduct the band in honoring a fallen veteran at a service three weeks ago. We are honored to do the work that we do, and it would be our pleasure to speak with you further about immortalizing your loved one’s service through photographic and video media to outlast a lifetime.

Posted on by

Rules and Etiquette for Visiting a Loved One at Arlington

Posted on by

Losing someone you love is hard, and visiting their final resting place can be very emotional. While we want to ensure you’re given the time and space to mourn, there are some rules and etiquette for visiting a loved one at Arlington. These rules are in place to ensure you and other visitors are not interrupted nor disrespected and that the cemetery grounds remain a safe haven.

Be Mindful of Others

During a visit as emotionally powerful as visiting a fallen loved one, it can be easy to retreat inward and become blind to those around us. You should remain quiet as you enter and leave Arlington grounds so as not to intrude on other mourners. There may be a funeral procession occurring, and you’ll want to be sure you’re not accidentally in the way. Maintain your distance from other mourners to afford each other the privacy necessary for such vulnerable moments. Some respectful, smaller considerations include keeping your cellphone off or on silent and speaking quietly to others.

Treat the Cemetery With Respect

Treating the cemetery grounds with respect and consideration is important for maintaining the condition of the grounds and showing respect for the fallen. Please do not run, jump, or climb on anything within the cemetery and refrain from touching the headstones. Not only is doing so disrespectful, but older gravestones may be more prone to falling apart under the slightest touch. Once you’ve finished your visit, clean up any debris from arrangements or mementos you brought into the cemetery. Absolutely no food, drink, or other consumables are allowed within the cemetery.

Concerning Religious Needs

Regarding the rules and etiquette of visiting a loved one at Arlington, there aren’t any strict rules concerning religious practices. Arlington is welcoming of all religious beliefs, and you should be free to practice them as you wish. The Arlington National Cemetery chapel provides a quiet and private space for prayer and ceremony, should you desire it. Otherwise, please be mindful of others and their beliefs while visiting Arlington so as not to cause offense.

The Old Post Chapel at Fort Myer before a service at Arlington National Cemetery as captured by our @arlingtonmedia team. “The Quartermaster Corps of the Army designed and constructed this chapel at Fort Myer and also built the new entrance gateway to the National Cemetery, completed in 1935. The chapel is used for religious services at the post and also for rites in the cemetery. It is a brick building with wood cornice, an entrance porch of four stone columns, and a wood spire which rises to a height of 97 feet. A 1998 Technical Report by the US Army Corps of Engineers notes that this construction project was part of a host of “New Deal programs [that]…resulted in a construction boom on Army installations. Installations increased in size as training areas expanded. The Historic Fort Myer website explains that “over time,…this one building would become the iconic representation when one thought about Fort Myer. It was the focal point proudly occupying the center of the garrison’s insignia. In addition to providing a place for worship for the Fort Myer Military community, it hosted many weddings and also provided the starting place for many of the final honors which would end in adjacent Arlington National Cemetery.” Today, this Old Post Chapel is still a site for worship, weddings, and many funerals that honor fallen veterans being buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

Posted on by

The Old Post Chapel at Fort Myer before a service at Arlington National Cemetery as captured by our @arlingtonmedia team. “The Quartermaster Corps of the Army designed and constructed this chapel at Fort Myer and also built the new entrance gateway to the National Cemetery, completed in 1935. The chapel is used for religious services at the post and also for rites in the cemetery. It is a brick building with wood cornice, an entrance porch of four stone columns, and a wood spire which rises to a height of 97 feet. A 1998 Technical Report by the US Army Corps of Engineers notes that this construction project was part of a host of “New Deal programs [that]…resulted in a construction boom on Army installations. Installations increased in size as training areas expanded. The Historic Fort Myer website explains that “over time,…this one building would become the iconic representation when one thought about Fort Myer. It was the focal point proudly occupying the center of the garrison’s insignia. In addition to providing a place for worship for the Fort Myer Military community, it hosted many weddings and also provided the starting place for many of the final honors which would end in adjacent Arlington National Cemetery.” Today, this Old Post Chapel is still a site for worship, weddings, and many funerals that honor fallen veterans being buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

Posted on by