About Military Funeral Honors
The military funeral honors ceremony is a final demonstration of our nation’s deep gratitude to those who have, in time of war or peace,
faithfully served. The US Department of Defense now provides, at no cost, the rendering of military funeral honors for an eligible veteran if
requested by the family. Families of eligible veterans request funeral honors through their funeral director, who is responsible for arranging for
the funeral honors detail.
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WHO IS ELIGIBLE?
• Military members on active duty
• Military retirees
• Members and former members of the Selected Reserve
• US veterans of any war
• Other US veterans who served at least one term of enlistment and separated under conditions other than dishonorable
WHO IS NOT ELIGIBLE?
• Individuals discharged from the Armed Forces under dishonorable conditions
• Individuals sentenced to death or life imprisonment without parole for a federal or state capital offense
As is provided by law, the honor guard detail shall consist of not less than two members of the Armed Forces, one of whom is a
representative of the parent branch of service of the deceased veteran. The honor detail will, at a minimum, perform a ceremony that
includes the folding and presentation of the American flag to the next of kin and the playing of “Taps,” either by a bugler or by official
electronic recording. The veteran’s parent service representative will present the flag.
VERIFYING ELIGIBILITY
The preferred method for verifying eligibility is the DD 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty. If the DD 214 is not available,
any discharge document showing other than dishonorable service can be used.
To download forms and find more information, visit www.archives.gov/veterans/.
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