We are grateful for the service of our armed forces and understand that we live as free Americans because of our veterans’ sacrifice. Our funeral directors can help you arrange interment at a Veterans Cemetery, military honors, obtain a flag and a veteran’s headstone.
Military Funeral Honors will been provided for eligible veterans when requested. As provided by law, an honor guard detail for the burial of an eligible veteran shall consist of not less than two members of the Armed Forces. The honor guard is typically provided by the the branch of the military served by the deceased veteran. The honor detail will, at a minimum, perform a ceremony that includes the folding and presenting of the American flag to the next of kin and the playing of Taps. Taps will be played by a bugler, if available, or by electronic recording.
Military Funeral Process
Who is eligible for Military Funeral Honors?
- Military members on active duty or in the Selected Reserve.
- Former military members who served on active duty and departed under conditions other than dishonorable.
- Former military members who completed at least one term of enlistment or period of initial obligated service in the Selected Reserve and departed under conditions other than dishonorable.
- Former military members discharged from the Selected Reserve due to a disability incurred or aggravated in the line of duty.
Who is NOT eligible for Military Funeral Honors?
- Any person separated from the Armed Forces under dishonorable conditions or whose character of service results in barring veteran’s benefits.
- Any person who was ordered to report to an induction station, but was not actually inducted into military service.
- Any person discharged from the Selected Reserve prior to completing one term of enlistment or period of initial obligated service for reasons other than a disability incurred or aggravated in the line of duty.
- Any person convicted of a Federal or State capital crime sentenced to death or life imprisonment.
How do I establish Veteran eligibility?
- The required document is the DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty.
- The DD Form 214 may be obtained by filling out a Standard Form 180 and sending it to: National Personnel Records Center (9700 Page Blvd. ~ St. Louis, MO 63132)
- The Standard form 180 may be obtained from the National Records Cetner or via the internet at:
http://www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records/
Is anyone else eligible to receive funeral honors?
Yes. Members of the Commissioned Officer Corps of the Public Health Service (PHS) and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), as members of a Uniformed Service, are also eligible to receive funeral honors.
What can the family of an eligible veteran expect?
The main elements of the funeral honors ceremony, which will be conducted on request include:
- Flag Folding
- Flag Presentation
- Playing of Taps
The Veteran’s parent Service Representative will present the flag
How much does a Military Funeral Honors detail cost?
Military Funeral Honors are provided by the Department of Defense at no cost to the family.
How does a family request funeral honors?
Families of eligible veterans request funeral honors through their funeral director. the funeral director will contact the appropriate Military Service to arrange for the funeral honors detail.
