My husband is eligible for burial at Arlington but wait is 4 months. Does the VA do storage?

You need to be cremated for a National Cemetary and the wife can be buried with the husband. The government pays for the plaque. County VA cemetarys may not allow a spouse. You need to call Arlington and see what they tell u.

twopupsmom, it's so sad that you have to be so "practical" at this hard time, but you are doing very well. Thanks to all of you for these wonderful comments - all feasible options. The idea blannie had is a good one that I didn't know about - cremation in uniform. It is something to consider. These things do get complicated for those who want to be buried in uniform and in Arlington but we want to honor our loved one's last wishes the best we can.

Try to take care of yourself. We're thinking of you,
Carol

He can be cremated in his uniform: "Is the deceased cremated unclothed?
The deceased may be clothed as desired by the family. A military uniform, scholastic robe or other special garment may be cremated." That is from this site (from Virginia). http://www.cremate.org/_mgxroot/page_10741.php

I would imagine it's the same anywhere, but worth a call to whatever crematory you might use. I had my dad cremated in his favorite sweater, that had a US flag on it.

thanks Blannie, that's plan B - he always wanted to be buried in full uniform, that's the only drawback. Linda Our Son is burried in section 60 at Arlington, 22 years now, he was carreer USN. That is why it is important that it is at Arlington. Maggie I will call & see if they have any suggestions, and i didn't think about negotiating a price at a small out of the way FH. I emailed the Funeral directors Assoc of Md, they suggested the cremation, then when burial is sceduled order an online Casket, sent to a funeral home & inter the ashes within the casket. Seems like the US Gov would have space at Bethesda, it's huge. I could be jumping the gun to quickly on this, but with so much " caretaker" time on my hands, I try very hard to keep one step ahead of what the near future might bring.

Can I click on a Best Answer for Blannie? Wish I could. Of COURSE!

Another thought. This is somewhat a macabre subject, so this probably comes off as rather blunt. My sincere apologies. Offer a lesser amount to any of them, actually. When the time comes, offer a flat fee and see if one of the funeral parlors will accept it. Negotiate.

This may not be the answer you want, but my dad (a career Air Force vet) was cremated. That makes the process very easy - you can store the urn (or wooden box in my dad's case) in your own home until your husband can be interred at Arlington.

Is it an option to have him buried at another national cemetery other than Arlington? My MIL was recently interred in a national cemetery and there was no wait.

Call Arlington Cemetery and see if they have any suggestions. Perhaps his body could be shipped somewhere close where they have an arrangement for storage.

If they don't, call some small burg 100 miles or so from a big city. Find out what they would charge to pick up your husband's body from a local funeral home near you, take it to their location and store it. They are bound to be less expensive.

I hope you can get that done as I know it will mean a great deal to his family.