Bill Overview
Title: Arlington Cemetery Marker Fairness Act
Description: This bill requires that headstones other than standard white uniform military grave markers be permitted in certain sections of Arlington National Cemetery. The bill places limits on certain aspects of the headstones, including limitations on size.
Sponsors: Rep. McMorris Rodgers, Cathy [R-WA-5]
Target Audience
Population: People buried at Arlington National Cemetery and their families
Estimated Size: 400000
- Arlington National Cemetery is an active military cemetery where US military personnel and eligible veterans are buried.
- Approximately over 400,000 individuals are buried in Arlington National Cemetery as of 2020.
- The bill affects future burials at Arlington National Cemetery, as it deals with the types of headstones allowed.
Reasoning
- The target population for this policy is primarily families of those who are currently buried or will be buried in Arlington National Cemetery. These are American military personnel, veterans, and their families.
- Budget constraints mean that only a fraction of future burials and requests for alternative grave markers can be accommodated within the first year, focusing on those who express significant preference or need for customized headstones.
- Given the restrictions on the size and aspects of headstones, the impact may vary from person to person depending on their individual preferences and associations with non-standard markers.
- The policy will likely have a high symbolic and sentimental impact on families wanting to honor their deceased relatives in a manner that reflects individual or cultural identity.
- Most of the target population might not immediately interact physically with the cemetery (e.g., due to geographical distance), thus some are more concerned with the symbolic representation than practical implications.
Simulated Interviews
Retired Military Personnel (Virginia)
Age: 68 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I believe this policy is important because it allows for more personal and meaningful tributes to be paid to our loved ones.
- It's great to see an acknowledgment that not all heroes fit the same mold, and their graves shouldn't either.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 10 | 8 |
Army Veteran (California)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm thrilled with this change. It allows me to choose a headstone that represents my heritage and identity.
- The size limitation is a bit restrictive, but it's a good step forward.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
Civilian Employee at Department of Defense (New York)
Age: 53 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- While I'm not directly affected right now, it's good to know that families have the option to personalize if they wish.
- I'm supportive of anything that improves the emotional well-being of our military families.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Active Duty Marine (Texas)
Age: 29 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 9
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 18/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm not very concerned about this since I'm still active duty and haven't thought about burial plans.
- It sounds reasonable though if it helps others feel more at peace with their arrangements.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 9 |
Retired Army Officer (Pennsylvania)
Age: 62 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I think the ability to personalize a headstone is great for families who have unique stories to tell.
- Somehow, it feels more dignified to have a choice in how we remember our deceased.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
Military Spouse (Florida)
Age: 50 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 16/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's a good policy for future families, though I'm not sure how it changes things for us who've already laid loved ones to rest.
- I hope this initiative continues to support military communities in other meaningful ways too.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Veteran Affairs Counselor (Georgia)
Age: 34 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 12.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- From my experience working with families, I know how significant it is for them to have the flexibility in how their loved ones are remembered.
- I think this policy will help many people find peace.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Retired Navy Veteran (Ohio)
Age: 77 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It might be too late for us, but I'm glad future families have more options.
- If only such options were available earlier, we might have considered something different.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Civil Rights Advocate (Washington)
Age: 30 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This seems like a progressive step towards acknowledging diversity even in death.
- I hope similar practices can extend to other national cemeteries too.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Construction Worker (Colorado)
Age: 49 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 13/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I haven't thought much about burial plans, but it's comforting to know there are more choices now.
- It reflects a respect for individual identities which I appreciate.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $5000000 (Low: $4000000, High: $6000000)
Year 2: $4500000 (Low: $3500000, High: $5500000)
Year 3: $4500000 (Low: $3500000, High: $5500000)
Year 5: $4000000 (Low: $3000000, High: $5000000)
Year 10: $3500000 (Low: $2500000, High: $4500000)
Year 100: $1000000 (Low: $500000, High: $1500000)
Key Considerations
- Accommodating custom headstones might require additional review and approval processes.
- The modifications will need to align with the historical and cultural significance of Arlington National Cemetery.
- The policy will only affect future burials, as existing headstones will not be altered.