Ethel Kennedy’s Final Resting Place: The Exclusive Details Of Her Burial Next To RFK At Arlington

The question of where Ethel Kennedy is buried was definitively answered in late 2024, marking the close of an extraordinary chapter in American political history. As of the current date, December 18, 2025, the matriarch of the Kennedy family was laid to rest at the hallowed grounds of Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia, alongside her beloved husband, Senator Robert F. Kennedy.

The burial, which took place on November 25, 2024, was a private ceremony held just over a month after her passing at the age of 96. This final resting place ensures that one of the most enduring figures in the Kennedy dynasty remains forever connected to the political legacy she helped shape, situated within the same sacred space as President John F. Kennedy and other members of the iconic family. The specific location is a site of profound historical significance, drawing visitors from around the world.

Ethel Skakel Kennedy: A Life of Advocacy and Loss (1928–2024)

To fully appreciate the significance of Ethel Kennedy's final resting place, it is essential to first understand the monumental life she lived. Born Ethel Skakel in Chicago, Illinois, on April 11, 1928, she was the daughter of wealthy businessman George Skakel and Ann Brannack.

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Ethel’s life became inextricably linked with American royalty when she married Robert F. Kennedy in 1950. Her role transitioned from a supportive political wife to a fierce human rights advocate and, tragically, a widowed mother raising 11 children after the assassination of her husband in 1968.

Her dedication to social justice led her to found the RFK Human Rights organization in 1968, a legacy that continues to champion justice, equality, and human rights globally. Her death on October 10, 2024, at the age of 96, prompted an outpouring of tributes from political figures and activists worldwide, recognizing her immense contributions beyond the shadow of the Kennedy name.

A Complete Biographical Profile

• Full Name: Ethel Skakel Kennedy
• Born: April 11, 1928, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
• Died: October 10, 2024 (Age 96)
• Spouse: Robert F. Kennedy (m. 1950; d. 1968)
• Parents: George Skakel and Ann Brannack
• Education: Manhattanville College
• Key Role: Human rights advocate, political activist, founder of RFK Human Rights.

The 11 Children of Ethel and Robert F. Kennedy

Ethel’s enduring legacy is perhaps best represented by the 11 children she raised, many of whom have continued the family's tradition of public service and activism. The full list of her children includes:

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• Kathleen Kennedy Townsend (Former Lieutenant Governor of Maryland)
• Joseph P. Kennedy II (Former U.S. Representative)
• Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (Environmental lawyer and political activist)
• David Anthony Kennedy (d. 1984)
• Courtney Kennedy Hill
• Michael LeMoyne Kennedy (d. 1997)
• Kerry Kennedy (President of RFK Human Rights)
• Christopher George Kennedy
• Matthew "Max" Kennedy
• Douglas Harriman Kennedy
• Rory Elizabeth Katherine Kennedy (Documentary filmmaker)

The Definitive Location: Arlington National Cemetery, Section 45

The definitive answer to "where is Ethel Kennedy buried" is at the Robert F. Kennedy gravesite in Arlington National Cemetery. This is not a common burial ground, but a site steeped in national history and reverence, located just across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C.

Ethel Kennedy was interred next to her husband in Section 45 of the cemetery. This area is significant because it is located on a slope below the famous Arlington House, or Custis-Lee Mansion, and is a short, reverent walk from the gravesite of President John F. Kennedy, which is marked by the iconic Eternal Flame.

The decision to bury Ethel Kennedy at Arlington, rather than a private family plot, underscores her role as a figure of national importance, not just a member of a prominent political family. Her gravesite is part of a larger, dedicated area that honors her husband’s service as a U.S. Senator and U.S. Attorney General.

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The RFK gravesite itself is relatively simple and somber, designed by architect I.M. Pei. It is marked by a plain white cross and a low wall inscribed with quotes from Robert F. Kennedy, including his famous statement: "Some men see things as they are and say, why; I dream things that never were and say, why not." Ethel’s presence now completes this monument, reuniting the couple more than five decades after his tragic death.

The Timeline of Her Final Journey: October and November 2024

Ethel Kennedy’s death and subsequent burial were major news events, providing the most current and fresh information on her final resting place. Her passing on October 10, 2024, was followed by a series of services and a private interment.

A moving memorial service was held on October 16, 2024, at the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle in Washington, D.C., the same cathedral where her brother-in-law, President John F. Kennedy’s, funeral was held in 1963. The service was attended by numerous dignitaries, members of the extended Kennedy family, and friends, celebrating her life and advocacy.

The actual burial at Arlington National Cemetery took place privately on November 25, 2024. This timing is significant, as it allowed the family a period of mourning before the final interment at the national cemetery. The privacy of the ceremony reflected the family's desire for a quiet, personal moment to lay their matriarch to rest next to the man she spent her life honoring.

The interment was conducted in Section 45, which is distinct from the immediate area of the Eternal Flame, yet still part of the broader Kennedy family presence at Arlington. Her burial next to RFK solidifies the site as a permanent monument to their shared life, their political vision, and their enduring commitment to public service and human rights.

Visiting the Kennedy Gravesites at Arlington: What You Need to Know

For those interested in visiting Ethel and Robert F. Kennedy’s gravesite, the location is one of the most frequently visited sites in Arlington National Cemetery. The site’s accessibility and proximity to other historical markers make it a key stop for visitors.

When planning a visit, keep in mind that the gravesite is located in Section 45, a short distance from the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the gravesite of President John F. Kennedy in Section 30. The entire area is a place of quiet reflection and respect for the sacrifice and service of the Kennedy family.

The burial of Ethel Kennedy at this location ensures that the Kennedy family's legacy—one marked by both immense triumph and profound tragedy—is preserved in perpetuity on a landscape dedicated to American heroes. Her final resting spot is not just a grave; it is a powerful symbol of her life's work, her devotion to her husband, and her lasting impact on the world through the RFK Human Rights organization.