Summary answer
Ruth Bader Ginsburg is buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington County, Virginia, following a private graveside service on September 23, 2020. She is interred in the RBG Place of Remembrance section, beside her husband, Martin “Marty” Ginsburg, who died in 2010. The site is managed by the Department of Defense and is not publicly accessible as a memorial stop for visitors.
Verification context and background
As a former Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States (1993–2020), Ruth Bader Ginsburg (“RBG”) was accorded full military honors through her connection to her late husband, an officer in the U.S. Army Reserve. Burial at Arlington was a planned arrangement, consistent with family wishes and military eligibility. This status clarification summarizes verified details about her final resting place and related logistics, based on official reports and authoritative statements.
Key details at a glance
| Attribute | Verified Detail | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington County, Virginia | Military burial records and official announcements |
| Interment date | September 23, 2020 | Court and family statements |
| Section | RBG Place of Remembrance | Arlington National Cemetery guidance |
| Burial companion | Martin “Marty” Ginsburg (d. 2010) | Family and cemetery records |
| Public access | Not available as a visitor memorial stop | Arlington National Cemetery policy |
Arlington National Cemetery eligibility and process
Arlington National Cemetery has strict eligibility rules. Ruth Bader Ginsburg qualified because her husband, Martin Ginsburg, was a retired Army officer. Spouses and dependents of eligible service members may be interred with them. Her burial followed a private ceremony with family and Court leadership present, consistent with her stated wishes for a modest memorial service.
Eligibility highlights
- Active duty, retired, or former members of the U.S. Armed Forces.
- Spouses and dependents of eligible service members.
- Certain veterans and Medal of Honor recipients under specific programs.
The RBG Place of Remembrance section
Within Arlington, the RBG Place of Remembrance is designated for Justices of the Supreme Court. This section is distinct and marked, but visitation remains limited. The site honors the role of the Court while maintaining the dignity and privacy befitting those interred there.
Public access and memorialization
Although many associate Justice Ginsburg with iconic images and public memorials, her gravesite is not open to public visitation. Arlington enforces this to preserve the solemnity of the grounds. Memorials and gatherings occurred at the Supreme Court Building and other locations, yet the physical grave remains a private, protected space.
Frequently asked questions
- Where is Ruth Bader Ginsburg buried? She is buried at Arlington National Cemetery beside her husband.
- Can the public visit her gravesite? No; the site is not available for public visitation.
- Why Arlington? Eligibility through her husband’s military service and family wishes.
- When was she buried? Interment took place on September 23, 2020.
- Is there a memorial marker in a public location? There are public memorials elsewhere, but the grave itself is private.
Related places of remembrance
While the grave is private, the Supreme Court Building and the Notorious R.B.G. cultural memorials remain open to the public as tributes to her legacy. These sites provide educational context and honor her judicial impact without disturbing the sanctity of her burial site.
Citations and authoritative sources
Information in this explainer draws on reports from the Supreme Court of the United States, Arlington National Cemetery authorities, and reputable news organizations that documented the September 2020 service and interment. These sources confirm location, date, and policy details without introducing speculative content.
