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A little background. I have a son (31) that has Down syndrome and has extreme intellectual disabilities and is non-verbal. It’s always hard to understand exactly what he comprehends in complex situations, like a funeral.My father had passed away. As a Navy vet in WWII, he was given a military funeral. The burial was private, immediate family only. My father was very close to my son. We had my son with us at the funeral, but we really didn’t think he totally understood what was happening.So we are at the point of Taps. My son (always well behaved) was standing with me holding my hand. As soon as taps started to play, he let go and started to dance / spin around his coffin. This was the typical dance that he has done in the past. He did a perfect dance all the way around and once taps were complete, he came over to me and held my hand. The honor guard kept their exacting composure (though I did see their eyes tracking my son).It was at that moment that I realized he knew exactly what was happening. This was his way of saying goodbye to his “zadie” (Grandfather in Yiddish).

Arlington National Cemetery is running out of space.** Gardens of stoneAnyone who dies on active duty may be buried at Arlington, along with their immediate family members. I found out this information through a tragedy.My cousin and his wife were both active duty members of the Navy. They were returning home from a trip to visit his mother when their pickup was rear-ended at high speed by a semi truck hauling fuel.He and his wife were killed along with their daughters, ages one and four. They were all buried at Arlington National Cemetery.Not all military veterans may be buried at Arlington National Cemetary. Due to the fact that the cemetery is nearing capacity, only honorably discharged members in certain categories are eligible for burial there.Included categories are:Service members who died on active duty and their immediate family membersRetirees and their immediate familyRecipients of the Purple Heart, Silver Star and aboveAny honorably discharged prisoner of war who was discharged after November 30th, 1993If you still want your remains or the remains of your loved one laid to rest at Arlington, you may opt for inurnment. Inurnment is the storage of cremated remains in a Columbarium (or niche wall).** Columbarium (or niche wall) at Arlington National CemetaryInturnment is limited to honorably discharged members including:All those listed above who qualify for burialVeterans and their immediate familyReservists, National Guard, or Air National Guard members who die while on active duty for training or full-time service and their immediate familyYou don’t have to be a hero to be buried among heroes and Presidents. If there is a question about eligibility you can call their customer service number (877-907-8585) with any questions.

Years before my mother died, before she was even sick, she randomly decided to discuss her funeral arrangements.She wanted to be cremated with no body viewing prior.However, my sisters and I argued that the family should be allowed to say goodbye. She conceded and said, “immediate family only”.She also said that she did not want any of us crying. She wanted us to celebrate her life. She thought that it should be a celebratory occasion that our loved one would never suffer again.Nonetheless, we did not honour that request and cried as if our lives depended on it.In the middle of my sisters and I consoling each other (while viewing the body), my phone started playing the Bahamas’ national anthem.Needless to say, it caused laughter and lightened the mood.