Veterans Overview

The basic Military Funeral Honors (MFH) ceremony consists of the folding and presentation of the United States flag to the veterans' family and the playing of Taps. The ceremony is performed by a funeral honors detail consisting of at least two members of the Armed Forces.


The Funeral Honors rendered to you or your veteran will be determined by the status of the veteran. The type of Funeral Honors may be Full Military Honors, 7 Person Detail or a Standard Honors Team Detail.


At least one of the funeral honors detail will be from the Armed Force in which the deceased veteran served. Taps may be played by a bugler or, if a bugler is not available, by using a quality recorded version. Military Funeral Honor Teams may act as Pall Bearers if requested by the veteran/family.

Veteran Headstones

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) furnishes upon request, at no charge to the applicant, a Government headstone or marker for the unmarked grave of any deceased eligible veteran in any cemetery around the world, regardless of their date of death.  For eligible veterans that died on or after Nov. 1, 1990, VA may also provide a headstone or marker for graves that are already marked with a private headstone or marker. When the grave is already marked, applicants will have the option to apply for either a traditional headstone or marker, or a new device (available spring 2009). 


Flat markers in granite, marble, and bronze and upright headstones in granite and marble are available. The style chosen must be consistent with existing monuments at the place of burial. Niche markers are also available to mark columbaria used for inurnment of cremated remains.


When burial or memorialization is in a national cemetery, state veterans' cemetery, or military post/base cemetery, a headstone or marker will be ordered by the cemetery officials based on inscription information provided by the next of kin or authorized representative.


Spouses and dependents are not eligible for a Government-furnished headstone or marker unless they are buried in a national cemetery, state veteran's cemetery, or military post/base cemetery.


Note: There is no charge for the headstone or marker itself, however arrangements for placing it in a private cemetery are the applicant's responsibility and all setting fees are at private expense.


Important Notice - New Law Concerning Eligibility for Headstones and Markers.

Veteran Burial Flags

A United States flag is provided, at no cost, to drape the casket or accompany the urn of a deceased veteran who served honorably in the U. S. Armed Forces. It is furnished to honor the memory of a veteran's military service to his or her country. VA will furnish a burial flag for memorialization for:


  • A veteran who served during wartime
  • A veteran who died on active duty after May 27, 1941
  • A veteran who served after January 31, 1955
  • A peacetime veteran who was discharged or released before June 27, 1950
  • Certain persons who served in the organized military forces of the Commonwealth of the Philippines while in service of the U.S. Armed Forces and who died on or after April 25, 1951
  • Certain former members of the Selected Reserves

The Benefits

Military Funeral Honors
The rendering of military funeral honors is a way to show the Nation’s deep gratitude to those who, in times of war and peace, have faithfully defended our country. This ceremonial paying of respect is the final demonstration a grateful nation can provide to a veteran's family.

Flags
A United States flag is provided, at no cost, to drape the casket or accompany the urn. Generally, the flag is given to the next-of-kin, as a keepsake, after its use during the funeral service.

Headstones and Markers
The Department of Veterans Affairs furnishes upon request, at no charge, a headstone or marker. Flat markers and upright headstones are available as well as niche markers for columbaria. Alternatively, a medallion which can be affixed to a privately purchased headstone is available.


Presidential Memorial Certificates
Families can also receive the Presidential Memorial Certificate (PMC), signed by the current President, to honor the memory of honorably-discharged deceased veterans.


Cemeteries
A military funeral can take place at a private cemetery, a state veterans cemetery, or a cemetery that is part of the Veterans Affairs National Cemetery Administration.


Veterans from all military branches qualify for a military funeral, regardless of rank, whether or not they died in combat. They could have been active duty, Reserves, National Guard, retired, or a veteran of military service.

For soldiers who die while on active duty, families may request both a burial and an interment allowance to assist with the cost of the funeral arrangements. For soldiers who die in a non-service related death, partial reimbursements may apply.

For more information, contact the United States Department of Veteran Affairs or go to http://www.cem.va.gov.

Questions About Veterans

  • 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 a bar to 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 preferred method is the DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty.  If the DD Form 214 is not available, any discharge document showing other than dishonorable service can be used.  The DD Form 214 may be obtained by filling out a Standard Form 180 and sending it to:


    National Personnel Records Center(NPRC)

    9700 Page Blvd.

    St. Louis, MO 63132


    The Standard Form 180 may be obtained from the National Records Center or via the following web site: http://www.archives.gov/research/order/standard-form-180.pdf

  • 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.


    For NOAA personnel, eligibility is established using NOAA Form 56-16, Report of Transfer or Discharge. If the family does not have a copy of the NOAA Form 56-16, it may by obtained by contacting the Chief, Officer Services Division, NOAA Commissioned Personnel Center at (301) 713-7715. or by writing:


    National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 

    Commissioned Personnel Center 

    Chief, Officer Services Division (CPC1) 

    1315 East-West Highway, Room 12100 

    Silver Spring, Maryland 20910


    For PHS personnel, funeral honors eligibility is established using PHS Form 1867, Statement of Service (equivalent to the DD Form 214).  If the family does not have a copy of the Statement of Service, it may be obtained by contacting the Privacy Coordinator for the Commissioned Corps at (240) 453-6041 or writing:


    Division of Commissioned Personnel/HRS/PSC 

    Attention: Privacy Act Coordinator 

    5600 Fishers Lane 

    4-36 

    Rockville, Maryland 20857



  • Who Is Eligible to Receive the Burial Flag?

    Generally, the flag is given to the next-of-kin, as a keepsake, after its use during the funeral service. When there is no next-of-kin, VA will furnish the flag to a friend making request for it. For those VA national cemeteries with an Avenue of Flags, families of veterans buried in these national cemeteries may donate the burial flags of their loved ones to be flown on patriotic holidays. 

  • How can you apply to receive a Burial Flag?

    You may apply for the flag by completing VA Form 27-2008, Application for United States Flag for Burial Purposes. You may get a flag at any VA regional office or U.S. Post Office. Generally, the funeral director will help you obtain the flag.

  • Can a Burial Flag Be Replaced?

    The law allows us to issue one flag for a veteran's funeral. We cannot replace it if it is lost, destroyed, or stolen. However, some veterans' organizations or other community groups may be able to help you get another flag.

  • How Should the Burial Flag Be Displayed?

    The proper way to display the flag depends upon whether the casket is open or closed. VA Form 27-2008 provides the correct method for displaying and folding the flag. The burial flag is not suitable for outside display because of its size and fabric. It is made of cotton and can easily be damaged by weather.