Answers to Families' Frequently Asked Questions,
and some Advice
Most frequent questions and answers
At Arlington Media, we strive to deliver the final product within 4 weeks of the service date or receipt of payment. However, please note that additional requests such as photo books or photos of a headstone may require an additional 45-100 days due to production and scheduling constraints at Arlington National Cemetery.
“Yes, a $200 refundable deposit is due at the time of booking. You can pay the balance at any time, even after the service. We will email an invoice (or mail one upon request) three days after the service. It takes approximately three to four weeks for a service to go through our production and fulfillment process. We accept checks and all major credit cards. Please note that the deposit is refundable until six weeks prior to the service date and can be applied to rescheduled or postponed services.”
Yes, we can take group photos upon request, in coordination with your Arlington National Cemetery representative. Group photos are typically taken at the end of the service. Please note that due to the workload of the cemetery staff, group photos are not allowed to be taken before the service in the Administration Building (pre-COVID). This is to avoid any interference with their other duties such as document review and meetings with clergy.
We recommend booking as soon as you feel comfortable doing so. At Arlington Media, we typically cover 3 to 4 services per day at Arlington National Cemetery. While we will make every effort to accommodate last-minute bookings, we operate on a first-come, first-serve basis.
No, we can only cover services upon request of families, and with the permission of the Primary Next of Kin (PNOK), or Person Authorized to Direct Disposition (PADD). It is essential to make arrangements for media coverage before the service date.
Yes. Our close proximity to the cemetery and our use of 4-wheel drive vehicles afford us access in any weather conditions, be it snow, sleet or rain. We can operate in any conditions the military can. If the cemetery is open, we’ll be there.
In the last year, we covered services with a low temperature of 16 F on January 31, and a high of 101 F on September 9th.
No, Arlington National Cemetery does not have an official photographer or videographer to cover services for families. However, Arlington has a staff photographer and videographer who takes pictures of visiting dignitaries, cemetery activities, and high-profile services for archival reasons. The sole purpose of Arlington Media is to cover services for families. Any company claiming to be the official videographer or photographer should be treated with skepticism.
We are often asked if our videographers or photographers can bring flowers with them for families to place on the grave at the end of the service. The short answer is: you would not want us to.
The long answer: Arlington Media covers on average three to four services a day. Adding a stop at the grocery store brings an additional level of unneeded complexity. Our attention needs to be solely on covering your service. Imagine having your airline pilot involved with the catering of your flight.
There are many florists near Arlington Cemetery. The one we see the most often is Arlington Cemetery Florist. They are immediately next to the cemetery, and can have your boxed roses, wreaths or sprays waiting for you at the graveside. www.arlingtoncemeteryflorist.com (703) 527-7110
www.arlingtoncemeteryflorist.com
Arlington Media are Arlington National Cemetery service coverage experts.
Arlington Cemetery Florist are floral experts.
Certainly, we would just ask that you, your friends and family, would be mindful of where we are positioned, as we are not able to move around as quickly, (especially with a video camera and tripod) during military honors or the presentation of the flag.
Yes. This is one of the primary deliverables included on every service. This is an excellent option for sharing with family and friends near and far.
Yes. We are able to live stream services. Using multiple transmission paths across AT&T and Verizon’s data networks, we are able to deliver high quality HD video in real time to anyplace in the world. Shortly after booking, you will receive an unlisted link to share. Only those you share the link with will be able to view the service. There will be a continuing countdown as the service date gets closer.
On the day of the service, you will start to see color bars about 30 minutes before the service start time. About 5 minutes before the service you will start to see live video from the cemetery. As we are feeding video from only one camera, the final version we produce and deliver later will have additional angles and better audio. We charge an additional $145.00 for this service.
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That depends, each service is unique. On average they break down to:
Dependent Service1: 5 – 15 minutes
Standard Honors2: 15 – 25 minutes
Full Honors3: 20 – 45 minutes
Chapel Service: 30 – 75 minutes
Plus our added content: 9 minutes.
We are required to collect a Virginia state sales tax. (6% as of 2023.)
Arlington Cemetery is under the flight path for Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. One of the busiest military helipads at the Pentagon is adjacent to the cemetery as well. Our use of sophisticated broadcast quality wireless microphones and digital recorders provide the best audio possible but can not eliminate the sound problem entirely
We accept all major credit cards (including American Express) and checks. We do not accept cash and we do not do any transactions on the day of the service.
Each member of our professional team has over thirty years experience ranging from international TV news coverage to large corporate and government productions. Also, each member has over a decade of direct Arlington National Cemetery experience.
Yes. We provide you with a USB and an online link that are professionally produced, has a short musical montage opening and a video of the Changing Of The Guard at The Tombs Of The Unknown. Video DVD and Blu-ray discs are available for an additional $95.00
No. Our basic photo service provides you with a non-copy-protected USB thumb-drive and an online link with ALL the full resolution photos included that you can use to make prints or photos books yourself. We also have packages that include different book options. Photo DVD-Rom disc are available for $95.00 each.
Yes. You can reserve either photography or video of a service or both.
No. Shipping to the first address is free. Additional addresses are billed at face value.
Yes, thousands of times. Arlington Media’s sole purpose is to cover services at Arlington for families. It’s in our core DNA. We don’t do weddings, corporate work, or anything else on the side. Our amazing creative professionals use state-of-the-art, purpose-built gear allowing them to give extraordinary attention to details and incredible precision on every service, every time. Each piece of camera equipment, the computers and software we use, the way our production pipeline is designed, is all geared towards covering your service with the greatest level of care and respect.
Yes. You can reserve either video or photography of a service or both.
Yes. We use multiple ultra high definition 4K broadcast quality long-range Sony cameras (not GoPros). Our acquisition and editing practices meet or exceed the production requirements of broadcast companies like National Geographic, BBC HD and Discovery HD. We don’t use consumer or prosumer cameras because they do not meet these broadcast standards.
Yes. We can provide you an image the same day via email.
In addition to your service, USBs and the online link comes with a video of the Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknowns. We provide you with a non-copy-protected USB thumb drive and a private online link that is professionally produced. Video DVDs and Blu-rays are available for an additional $95.00.
No. They are not copyrighted, so you can reproduce them and post online.
Yes, but it’s not recommended.
While we do have various sharing protocols, by default we only share the media links with the party that purchased the service. With permission, we
