Bagpiper for ceremony at Arlington Ntl Cemetery- recommendation?

Have you contacted the Arlington burial (committee, association, department?) about that? When we attended the burial of our good friend there (full honors, riderless horse, boots backward, gun salute, taps, etc....) the family had a bagpiper for part of the ceremony, I don't remember what part, but it seems to me they arranged everything through Arlington. He died from VietNam war-acquired injuries and was a full-timer in the army, so I don't know if that was part of it. The ceremony had to be delayed because he passed away at New Year's, and the ground was too frozen for burial then. It took place about three months after. The pre-burial memorial and post-burial reception were in one of the buildings at Arlington. It was 20+ years ago, so the details are a bit vague.
We did visit the VietNam wall at a later date and his name was added to the wall. My husband was lucky to return home from his tour there without any physical wounds. I am sure your dad's ceremony will be one to truly honor him and will be an event you will cherish in your memory.

It may be different where you live,but your local American Legion may have a contact.

It looks like the cemetery website has a list of three bagpipers.

My MIL really wanted a bagpiper at her service in Minnesota, but it didn't happen:( I still find the request intriguing and I'm a little sad we didn't hire one.

Good luck in your search.

Judy, yes we have been in contact with the ANC funeral services Admin team and they have said it is up to the family/estate to schedule a private bagpiper. We will continue the search but would love a personal recommendation. Dad will receive full military honors as he fought in both the Korean and Viet Nam wars and had a very full military career attaining the highest NCO rank of SGM

Jean, nice idea to contact an American Legion office

mnannie, there is nothing on the official Arlington website about bagpipers, only blog posts from attendees are there. I did see the other unofficial website listing three pipers and may try to contact them.

Linda,
Condolences on the loss of your father, and kudos to him for reaching Seargeant Major, the highest rank for an enlisted man! That is a magnificent accomplishment. I had a friend at church who retired as SGM from the Marines, and though he was buried in a local cemetery here, the local Marines from Camp Pendleton did him proud both at the church and at the cemetery, with the honor guard and pallbearers and the bugler and the gun salute. It was a service to be remembered, as was the one we attended for our friend at Arlington. I hope you find your bagpiper. Blessings!

I guess you mean National Cemetery by NC but I found that title very confusing until I figured out that you didn’t mean what NC usually means, which is North Carolina (as I’m sure you know Arlington is in VA). I live in Arlington and have never, ever heard it referred to as “Arlington NC”; it’s called by its full name or by “Arlington Cemetery.”

I play bagpipes, but unfortunately will be out of town in mid-October.

The Virginia Military Institute (my alma mater) has a solid pipe band and individual cadets, or bagpipe-playing alum, may be available to perform for you in October.

Here is VMI's contact information, they should be able to give you a POC with the Regimental Band. Feel free to DM me as well.
https://www.vmi.edu/life-on-post/cadetlife/clubs-and-activities/band/

Sorry for your loss, Linda, and thank you to your father for his service.

My father died and was buried during covid (although that was not why he died). Because that significantly limited the number of people who could attend, we hired a videographer for his internment. I know you did not ask about this, but this guy was quite wonderful, and we were very glad to have the permanent record of that day. I see from the site that there are a couple of people who provide this service. We used:
www.arlingtonmedia.com 1-202-536-3000
He provided both stills and a video on thumb drives of the entire internment service that we were able to share with family and friends who could not attend. I know that, even though I was there, I am glad that I have a copy as well.

Because he is there regularly, the videographer might know a source for a bagpiper.
You might also call Arlington and ask if there is a way to contact The Old Guard and find out if they have access to a bagpiper. If your father was Army and if he meets the criteria for the band, this might be a way to solve your search.

Best of luck.

Slate I’ve revised the title

cnelsvmi09, thank you so much for responding and giving the referral for pipers in the DC vicinity.

jr, I appreciate your videographer recommendation but will not film the ceremony. We had a ceremony in April 2025 in San Antonio, as most family members were able to gather then and filmed some of the ceremony at that time.