One of the best things that you can do for someone who served their country is to give them a burial at a national cemetery. This is a great honor and it is something that can be a moving tribute for a veteran. It is a process that you need to know about because it can be more complicated than planning a regular service. If this is something that you want to offer your loved one but you are not sure where to begin, here are some things that directors of funeral homes in Eutawville, SC want you to know about.
National cemeteries do not have the facilities to host an actual funeral or memorial service there. For some people, this means that it can be better to have service somewhere else before the burial. You also cannot have a viewing at the location, either, so if that is something that you want to do, you will need to plan it ahead of time at another location.
Different national cemeteries can have different flower arrangement policies, so be sure to know what the one you choose will allow. Some do not allow anything but funeral wreaths, while others do not mind other kinds of bouquets and flower options. The best thing you can do is ask about this before the service so that you can let other guests know what to bring.
It is not always possible to visit the grave of the deceased after the committal service. Sometimes, you have to wait until the workday is over to get access to the site. If you are planning on having a reception, it can be a good idea to do this after the commitment but without scheduling a visit to the gravesite first.
One cemetery that does things a bit differently is Arlington National Cemetery. There, you can choose to have gun salutes for your loved ones and many other military honors. If you do choose to have your loved one buried there, it can be important to get there at least half an hour early for security purposes. You will want to ask lots of questions before deciding on the option that you want for your loved one.
These are some things that you will want to know about choosing a national cemetery for a loved one who has passed away. You will need to keep in mind that these cemeteries do not have the facilities for a regular funeral or even a viewing. At Arlington, you can have a more elaborate service, with military honors like gun salutes, so be sure to also consider that for your loved one. You can learn more about all of these options by reaching out to a Eutawville, SC funeral home like us at Avinger Funeral Home. We are ready to help you find the right services for your loved one. Give us a call right now or stop by our location for more information.