In November we take time to honor military members on Veterans Day. For some families that involves visiting a cemetery, and for others it could mean planning a military funeral.
A military funeral isn’t quite the same as a conventional funeral because veterans are given special honors for their service and benefits to help cover the cost of funeral services. Getting those military honors and benefits requires that a few additional steps be taken in addition to choosing a type of disposition and final resting place.
If you need to plan a military funeral, below is an overview of the steps to take so that your loved one is remembered in the way they deserve.
About the Military Funeral Honors Program
The Military Funeral Honors Program, also known as the “Honoring Those Who Served” program, is managed by the Department of Defense. Through the program military honors can be requested and arranged for a funeral. The program also establishes the procedures for doing so.
Since 2000, there have been laws guaranteeing certain honors for veterans. By law, the program provides at least two service members for the military honors.
First, Get the Veterans DD214
Many, but not all, veterans qualify for special VA funeral services and benefits. That is why the veteran’s DD214 is required. The DD214 is a discharge form that notes the military member’s service, separation date and if they were honorably discharged. In order to qualify for benefits the veteran had to have an honorable discharge.
Many veterans have their DD214, but if that isn’t the case you can request a copy of the DD214 from the National Archives. It will take between 3-4 weeks to get the DD214, but during that time you can move on to the next step.
Coordinate With a Funeral Home to Arrange Military Honors and Disposition
The next thing you’ll want to do is choose a funeral home. The funeral home director can help you coordinate not only the disposition services but the military honors as well. This can be a huge help for families that have never arranged a military funeral before.
The DD214 should be shared with the funeral home director so they can take the lead on arranging the military honors. The first thing they’ll need to do is get the contact information for the honor guard representative for the correct military branch. The honor guard representative will work to arrange the military honors, ensuring that the personnel are in place.
Something that will need to be requested in advance is a burial flag. And all requests for military honors must be made at least 48 hours prior to the funeral service.
The funeral director will also explain the disposition options:
- Burial in a plot (traditional or natural burial)
- Internment in a vault
- Cremation with a columbarium niche
- Cremation with burial
If your loved one had a last will and testament that should be referred to first for the disposition. This decision is important because it can impact where the final resting place will be.
Decide on the Final Resting Place
Veterans have more options than most people for a final resting place because they can choose to have a columbarium niche or be buried in a national cemetery or a state VA cemetery. Plots in a national or state cemetery are free for veterans. If there is a specific cemetery that you have in mind, arrange for a niche or plot as soon as possible since space is running out at national cemeteries.
Of course, veterans can also be buried or have a columbarium niche in a private cemetery. The family may prefer this if there is already a family plot or there are no national or state cemeteries nearby. The veteran is still given the same military honors no matter where they are buried or where the remains are placed in a columbarium niche.
Preparing for the Military Honors
Military honors are a very moving service that plays a significant role in the funeral. The honor guard representative and funeral director should work together to ensure everything is ready to go on the day of the funeral. The military honors will include:
- U.S. flag placed over the casket if the veteran is buried.
- Ceremonial folding of the flag and presentation to the family.
- Bugle performance of Taps. (If a service member isn’t available a recording will be played on a ceremonial bugle.)
The flag presentation is a sacred tradition within the military and considered an important recognition of the veteran’s service. When the flag is presented to the next of kin the service member presenting it will recite the following:
“On behalf of the president of the United States, (the United States Army; the United States Marine Corps; the United States Navy; the United States Air Force or the United States Coast Guard), and a grateful nation, please accept this flag as a symbol of our appreciation for your loved one’s honorable and faithful service.”
There are a few other military honors that can be arranged if the resources are available and the services are requested. These include:
- A rifle salute (for retired military, Medal of Honor recipients and service members killed in duty)
- Color guard
- Military service member pallbearers
- A military flyover
Keep in mind the latter honors will only be available in limited locations. Again, this is why the final resting place is so important for a military funeral.
Apply for VA Burial Benefits
There are VA benefits for funeral services, but they aren’t automatic. You have to apply with the VA to receive them. You’ll need to provide personal information for the veteran and yourself when applying online for the benefits. The DD214 and veteran’s death certificate also need to be submitted in order to receive benefits for the funeral services.
Cremation.Green is honored to work with military families to arrange eco-friendly funeral services for veterans. Please contact us at any time for assistance arranging military honors and the disposition for your loved one.
