July 20, 1999
Web posted at: 3:10 a.m. EDT (0710 GMT)

ARLINGTON, Virginia (CNN) -- Officials at Arlington National Cemetery took measurements Monday of the Kennedy memorial in preparation for a possible request to bury John F. Kennedy Jr. next to his father and mother, CNN affiliate WTTG reports.

A spokeswoman for the Military District of Washington, which runs Arlington National Cemetery, said the measurements were taken at the grave site even though there has yet to be a formal request for burial at Arlington.

Officials were taking measurements in the event an inquiry or request for burial there, so the necessary planning information would be readily available.

Kennedy does not meet the normal standards for burial at the historic cemetery. Family members who are normally eligible to be buried there are spouses or unmarried children under 21. However, in the past, waivers have been granted.

A waiver request would have to be made to John C. Metzler, the Superintendent of Arlington Cemetery. The request would then be passed along to the Secretary of the Army, Togo West, who could make a decision or defer to Defense Secretary William Cohen.

Note: Pages will open in a new browser window

External sites are not endorsed by CNN Interactive.