Military funeral honors are a tribute provided by the Department of Defense to eligible veterans and active-duty service members. By law, every eligible veteran is entitled to a minimum two-person honor guard detail that performs the folding and presentation of the American flag and the playing of Taps.
10 steps across 1 sections
1. Steps Process
- Verify the veteran's eligibility — Eligible individuals include veterans discharged under conditions other than dishonorable, active-duty service members, Selected Reserve members who completed at ...
- Locate the DD-214 or proof of service — The funeral director will need the DD-214 or other discharge documentation to verify eligibility; if unavailable, request an expedited copy from the National...
- Contact the funeral director — The funeral home typically coordinates military funeral honors on behalf of the family; provide them with the veteran's DD-214, branch of service, rank, and any speci...
- Request honors through the appropriate channel — The funeral director contacts the branch of service or the DOD Military Funeral Honors coordinator; request should be made 48-72 hours before the se...
- Determine the level of honors desired:
- Standard honors (guaranteed by law): 2-person detail, flag folding and presentation, Taps (live or recorded)
- Full honors: 6-8 person detail, firing party (3 rifle volleys), live bugler, pallbearers, color guard; typically for active duty, retirees, and higher-ranking veterans (availability varies)
- Choose burial location — National cemeteries (VA), state veterans cemeteries, or private cemeteries; all can accommodate military honors
- Coordinate with the honor guard — The military honor detail will contact the family or funeral director to confirm timing, location, and ceremony details
- Attend the ceremony — The honor guard performs the ceremony; the folded flag is presented to the next of kin with the words "On behalf of the President of the United States, the United States [bran...
Common Mistakes
- Not requesting honors because of non-combat service
- Waiting too long to request
- Not having the DD-214 available
- Expecting full honors for all veterans
- Not knowing about national cemetery burial benefits
Pro Tips
- Request additional elements early
- National cemeteries provide headstone/marker at no cost
- Volunteer honor guard organizations fill gaps
- Burial flags are provided free
- Pre-plan burial arrangements