Military Funeral Honors
You are about to depart from the Military Service and you are entitled to a number of
benefits, one of which is Military Funeral Honors. Each veteran who desires Military Funeral
Honors when they die should brief their family members on this benefit. Veterans are eligible
for Military Funeral Honors if they served in the active military and were discharged under
conditions other than dishonorable, or if they were a member or former member of the selected
reserve.
Upon request of the next of kin or authorized representative, the funeral director will
request the honors from the Military Service in which the veteran served. The Military Service
will provide the Military Funeral Honors to the eligible beneficiary, consisting of the ceremonial
folding and presentation of the American flag and the sounding of “Taps.”
The ceremony is normally provided by two uniformed members of the armed forces, at least one
of whom will be from the Service in which the veteran served. The Military Services, based on
their traditions and resources, may render additional elements of Military Funeral Honors. The
Nation is grateful for every veteran’s service to the country. This is the Department of
Defense’s time-honored way to recognize those who faithfully served.
