Military Funeral Honors for Veterans
Military funeral honors are available to veterans and their families upon request. Because of their service, eligible veterans are entitled to military funeral honors under federal law, ensuring they are recognized with dignity and respect.
Here at Funerals Your Way, we coordinate military honors and have had the honor of assisting with the burial of veterans from all military branches and even two Pearl Harbor veterans who were killed in the attack in 1941.
Military funeral honors are conducted by a minimum of two members of the Armed Forces. Depending on the veteran’s service history, accomplishments, and status at the time of death, honors may include more. Every military honors ceremony includes the presentation of the flag, and the playing of Taps. A rifle salute may be included in some instances.
Honors are extended to veterans regardless of the time of service if the veteran was honorably discharged. This benefit is secured in the National Defense Authorization Act (eff. 01/00), Section 578 of Public Law 106-65. Military honors requests, and requests for burial in a national military cemetery, have no time restrictions.
Live Bugle Services (Bugles Across America)
An honor guard detail consists ofĀ at least two Armed Forces members. Honor ceremonies of veterans who served 20 years, Medal of Honor recipients, higher rank officers, and active duty veterans may have more elaborate events. All honor ceremonies will, however, include the formal flag presentation, playing of Taps, and sometimes a rifle salute.
Normally with honors the military only pays a recorded version of Taps. We prefer to use a person who is actually playing the bugle. When available, a live bugler may be arranged through Bugles Across America, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to honoring veterans with live performances of Taps.
For details on this organization and its San Diego leader see our blog entry Bugles Across America. For an in-depth explanation of military honors see our blog article “The Significance of Military Funeral Customs“
ItĀ does not matter how long a veteran has served in the military, only that they have completed their service under honorable discharge status.
There is no time limit for applying for honors/interment in a National Cemetery.
šAfter you watch the video, download the brochure detailing our many options for veterans – both veteran cremation and casket burial.
Military Honors Specific Services
In addition to the formal honor guard ceremony, eligible veterans may receive additional recognitions that honor their service and sacrifice. Availability may vary based on branch, location, and military resources, and our funeral directors help families understand what can be requested.Ā
American Flag
Since the flags are intended to honor the service of the deceased veteran, the fold ceremonies are quite common in veteran memorial services. A flag is placed on the deceased’s coffin, or the urn is covered with it to honor the veteran.
After the military honors are finalized, the flag will be folded. It will be presented to the next of kin, who will be able to keep the flag. The VA also states that the flags are intended to be keepsakes and not to be flown outdoors.
VA also states that if the family would like to, they can apply for the flag themselves using the Veteran Flag Presentation Form. However, we usually apply for the flag on behalf of the family.
šPresidential Certificate
The Presidential Memorial Certificate is a time-honored recognition and the first one established in 1962 by President John F. Kennedy. It’s a high-grade, engraved vellum certificate, featuring the Presidential Seal and the current U.S. President’s signature.
The certificate reads, in part:
“This certificate is awarded by a grateful nation in recognition of the devoted and selfless consecration to the service of our country in the Armed Forces of the United States.”
Next of kin of the deceased veteran are eligible to request this certificate, which serves as a veteran’s posthumous award memorial service commemorative keepsake.
In addition to the Presidential Memorial Certificate, eligible veterans may also receive a government headstone or grave marker for burial in a national or private cemetery.
Additional Military Honors
Additional honors may be offered based on the troop resources and the level of recognition given to the veteranās service. These may be:
- ā Rifle detail
- ā Color guard
- ā Military pallbearers
- ā Horse-drawn caisson
- ā Military aircraft flyover
Not all honors are available in every location or circumstance. Our funeral directors will assist in determining what honors are available and will work with the relevant military offices.
Military Honors Application Process
As with most cases, funeral directors will assist with the completion of the forms. In the event that a family wants to do this themselves, forms can be submitted to the following addresses:
- Any of the regional Veterans Affairs offices
- By fax to: 1-800-455-7143
- By Mail:
Memorial Programs Service (41B)
Department of Veterans Affairs
5109 Russell Road
Quantico, VA 22134-3903.
Military funeral honors are a meaningful way to recognize a veteranās service, and we encourage families to take advantage of this well-deserved tribute.
Having military honors at the burial is an honor. Please take advantage of this addition to the military interment; it is a cherished privilege.
Need help arranging military honors? Our licensed funeral directors coordinate all military honors on your behalf and are available 24/7 to guide your family through the process.
š 619-550-7807
Eligibility for Military Honors
Eligible for Honors
Categories of veterans who will qualify for military veteran honors. There are always exceptions to any rule, so it is always best to apply.
- Veterans who died while on active duty or in the Selected Reserve
- Veterans 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 were discharged under other than dishonorable conditions.
Not Eligible for Honors
Categories of veterans are ineligible for military honors;
- If they have been convicted of capital offenses and sentenced to life imprisonment without parole or receive the death penalty.
- If they were discharged from the military under dishonorable conditions, which include dishonorable discharge, bad conduct discharge, or dismissal from the service by court-martial, other than honorable conditions, they might not be eligible.
- For officers, resignation for the good of the service in lieu of courts-martial results in a discharge characterization of other than honorable conditions.
How to Request Military Honors
Generally, the funeral director will organize the Military Honors with the appropriate military organization on behalf of the family. Ā If the family has had cremains for an extended period and they are not currently working with a mortuary, they may contact the Military Funeral Honors coordinator directly.
- ARMY: 858-573-7049 FAX: 619-615-2275
- NAVY: 1-800-326-9631 FAX: 619-532-3941
- MARINE: 866-826-3628
- COAST GUARD: 619-278-7676
- AIR FORCE: 951-655-6105
Frequently Asked Questions About Military Funeral Honors
Listed below are questions regarding military funerals. Additional information is published on our site: š blog entries on military matters.
Do I have to Pay for Military Honors?
Military honors are provided free of charge by the Department of Defense to the family. It is a right that the veteran has earned. Most generally only honorably discharged veterans received this honor but they may be exceptions, so be sure to apply anyway.
Can a Veteran have more than one honors service?
Veterans are provided with one military honors ceremony, regardless of whether the service takes place at the time of burial, cremation, or a later memorial. Families are encouraged to consider when and where the honors will be most meaningful, as the ceremony cannot be repeated at a later date once it has been rendered.
What Is the History of the Rifle Salute, and Will My Loved One Receive One?
Salutes of rifles date back to an old battlefield practice. As fighting commenced, three shots would be fired to signal that the dead would be moved off the field, and fighting could begin again. In modern times, the three-volley salute serves as a commemorative tribute to a veteran and all that they have done for the country.
The receipt of a rifle salute as part of the military funeral honors is contingent on a veteran’s service record, rank, and branch of service, as well as the availability of an Honor Guard. It is not guaranteed for every service, it is, however, usually incorporated when it is possible, and your funeral director will be able to advise you on what honors can be requested for your loved oneās service.
How to get Military Records?
Next of kin may submit a request to the VETRECS website: https://vetrecs.archives.gov
The military identifies “Next of Kin” for this purpose as Surviving Spouse that has not remarried, Father, Mother, Son, Daughter, Sister, Brother.
How Do I Schedule an Interment in a National Cemetery?
Usually, the funeral director you are working with will do this. However, if you have had the cremains for an extended period and are not currently working with a funeral home, you may schedule an interment yourself.
Could you fax all discharge documentation to the National Cemetery Scheduling Office at 1-866-900-6417 and follow up with a phone call to 1-800-535-1117?
Which Military Branch Provides Funeral Honors?
Each veteran receives military funeral honors from the specific branch the veteran served in (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard). In some situations, honors may be performed by a different branch, but that will depend on availability. The funeral director will work with the military honors unit that is most appropriate for the family.
Are Military Honors Given for Cremation?
Absolutely. Honors may be given whether a veteran is buried or cremated. Honors may be given at a cemetery, at a funeral, at a memorial service, or even after an urn is present. The same honors (flag presentation, Taps, etc.) will be performed.
How Long Does It Take to Get Military Funeral Honors?
Once the required documents (most commonly the DD-214) are provided, military funeral honors requests will typically take a few days, but there are some rare exceptions. Availability is based on military resources and scheduling, but funeral directors typically assist in these requests and ensure military honors are given in a timely manner.