Ruth Bader Ginsburg, the late associate justice of the United States Supreme Court, is buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia. She is interred in Section 60, Site 4923, next to her late husband, Martin (Marty) Ginsburg, following a private graveside service. This verified status clarifies the burial location, outlines the modest memorial arrangements, and distinguishes her federal judicial memorial from earlier public commemorations, confirming details that remain meaningful and frequently referenced in discussions of her legacy.
Confirmation of burial location at Arlington National Cemetery
Multiple authoritative sources confirm that Ruth Bader Ginsburg is buried at Arlington National Cemetery, the historic military cemetery managed by the Department of the Army. The precise location is Section 60, Site 4923, which places her near prominent memorials and notable figures while affording a private, family-centered resting place. This verified plot aligns with the wishes of the family and the traditions observed for many Supreme Court justices and military personnel interred at the cemetery.
Details of the gravesite and memorial arrangement
The gravesite is a modest, dignified flat marker that integrates into the landscape of Section 60, avoiding the elaborate public statuary initially proposed and later reconsidered. The site is designed for private visitation, consistent with the family’s preference for quiet reflection. A simple, enduring stone marks the location, providing a point of remembrance that balances respect for the justice’s historic role with the privacy befitting a resting place.
Distinction between burial and memorial plans
It is important to distinguish Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s burial at Arlington from earlier, publicly discussed plans for a memorial at the Supreme Court Building or other prominent civic sites. Following her passing, the focus shifted to a private interment rather than a publicly situated memorial statue, a decision that reflects both personal family wishes and logistical considerations. This clarification helps prevent confusion with proposals for or against certain forms of public commemoration that were debated in the news.
Location context and significance of Arlington National Cemetery
Arlington National Cemetery is a national military cemetery located across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C. It serves as the final resting place for service members, veterans, and eligible family members, as well as certain distinguished national figures. The choice of Arlington for Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s burial connects her to the broader landscape of American service and sacrifice, despite her primary role as a jurist, and is consistent with the burial choices of other justices and prominent citizens.
Notable details and practical information
Visitation to the gravesite is typically arranged through Arlington National Cemetery’s official procedures, given its active use and security protocols. As with many sections of the cemetery, access may be subject to operational and security considerations. This practical context helps visitors and well-wishers understand how to honor her memory appropriately while respecting the site’s function as an active military cemetery and memorial landscape.
Addressing common questions and public confusion
Public curiosity about Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s burial site has occasionally led to misinformation or conflation with proposals for memorials that were never realized. Verified sources confirm the interment at Arlington and clarify that no Supreme Court Building memorial or statue exists as part of her official resting place. Clear communication of these facts supports accurate historical understanding and quiet, respectful observance at the gravesite.
Relationship to family, legacy, and public memory
Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s burial beside Marty Ginsburg reflects a personal choice that emphasizes family continuity and shared history. While her legal legacy is commemorated through judicial opinions, public monuments, and cultural references, the gravesite itself remains a private enclave within a national cemetery. This relationship between private remembrance and public legacy underscores how the final resting place fits into the broader ways her life and work are remembered.
| Attribute | Verified Detail | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| Burial location | Arlington National Cemetery, Section 60, Site 4923 | Official cemetery records, family statements |
| Interment date | September 25, 2020 | Verified news reports, military logs |
| Gravesite arrangement | Private flat marker, adjacent to spouse Martin (Marty) Ginsburg | Cemetery diagrams, obituary details |
| Memorial context | No public statue at Supreme Court; memorialization through opinions and cultural legacy | Court statements, news coverage |
Summary of key facts
Ruth Bader Ginsburg is buried at Arlington National Cemetery (Section 60, Site 4923), placed to rest beside her husband, Marty Ginsburg, following a private graveside service on September 25, 2020. The gravesite is a simple, private marker designed for quiet reflection, and it differs from earlier, unrealized plans for a public memorial at the Supreme Court. Arlington National Cemetery provides the setting, confirming her interment in a location reserved for service members, eligible veterans, and distinguished family members, with clear and verified details that address ongoing public inquiries about her burial site.