Military Funeral Honors: What They Are and How to Request Them
Military Funeral Honors: What They Are and How to Request Them
Military funeral honors are the nation's final salute to those who served — the folded flag, the sounding of Taps, and the words "on behalf of a grateful nation." If you are arranging a farewell for a veteran, or you have been invited to one, the ceremony carries deep meaning and a rhythm worth understanding beforehand. This guide explains what military funeral honors include, who is eligible, how to request them, and the traditions behind each part of this solemn tribute.
What are military funeral honors?
Military funeral honors are a ceremonial tribute rendered by the armed forces to honour an eligible veteran or service member at their funeral. By law, every eligible veteran is entitled to a core ceremony that includes the folding and presentation of the United States flag to the next of kin and the playing of Taps, performed by a detail of at least two uniformed service members, at least one from the deceased's branch of service. Fuller honors, more common for active-duty deaths or higher-ranking veterans, may add a rifle volley (often three rounds fired by seven riflemen), a bugler, a caisson or a color guard. The flag is folded thirteen times into a triangle showing only the blue field and stars, then presented with the words, "On behalf of the President of the United States, the United States (branch), and a grateful nation…" Honors are requested through the funeral director, who coordinates with the military; families should mention their loved one served and provide a copy of the discharge papers (DD Form 214) to confirm eligibility.
What military funeral honors include
By law, every eligible veteran is entitled to a core set of honors, with fuller ceremonies available in some cases:
- The flag folding and presentation — the flag is folded thirteen times into a triangle and presented to the next of kin with the words of a grateful nation. This is the heart of the ceremony.
- The sounding of Taps — played live by a bugler where possible, or with a ceremonial bugle. Its 24 notes are the traditional farewell.
- A detail of at least two service members, at least one from the veteran's own branch.
- The rifle volley (in fuller honors) — often three rounds fired by a party of seven, sometimes mistaken for a 21-gun salute, which is a separate honour reserved for heads of state.
- A color guard, caisson or escort platoon for active-duty or high-ranking honors, most often at national cemeteries.
Who is eligible
Military funeral honors are available to a wide range of those who served:
- Military members who died on active duty or in the Selected Reserve.
- Veterans who served and were discharged under conditions other than dishonourable.
- Certain members of the National Guard and Reserve.
Eligibility is confirmed with the veteran's discharge papers, DD Form 214. If you cannot locate it, the funeral director or the Department of Veterans Affairs can help you request a copy. The level of honors — core versus full — depends on status and rank, and on the availability of personnel.
How to request military funeral honors
You do not arrange honors yourself — the funeral director does it for you, but a few steps help it go smoothly:
- Tell the funeral director your loved one served, and in which branch. They coordinate the request with the military.
- Provide the DD Form 214 (discharge papers) to confirm eligibility.
- Ask what to expect for your loved one's status — whether core or full honors, and whether a live bugler is available.
- Consider burial in a national or state veterans cemetery, which may offer additional honors; the VA can explain benefits, including a headstone or marker at no cost.
Our guides to the graveside service and funeral etiquette can help you and your guests know what to expect on the day.
The meaning behind the traditions
Each part of the ceremony carries meaning. The flag is folded into a triangle that echoes the tricorn hats of the soldiers who served under General Washington, ending with only the blue field and stars visible. Its presentation to the next of kin is a nation saying thank you in the most personal way it can. Taps, first sounded in the Civil War, has become the sound of a soldier's rest. And the rifle volley recalls an old battlefield custom of pausing to clear the fallen, three rounds signalling that the dead had been cared for and the fighting could resume. Understanding these traditions can turn a formal ceremony into something deeply felt — a final, dignified salute to a life of service.
Preserve their service and their story
A folded flag and the sound of Taps honour a veteran's service, but the whole of who they were — the photographs in and out of uniform, the stories only their family knows, the voices of those they served alongside — deserves a lasting home. A free digital memorial page gathers it all in one place, where family, friends and fellow veterans near and far can add a photo, a story or a few words. It keeps both their service and their life close for the generations who come after.
It is free to create and takes about five minutes. A QR plaque is optional and comes later — the page is the heart of it.
Create a free memorial page
A lasting tribute to a life of service
The digital memorial page is free to create — start free and gather a lifetime of photos, video and stories, then share the link so family, friends and fellow veterans can add their own memories. For families who want a marker at the grave, an optional QR memorial plaque links the same page to a headstone or memorial with a single scan (you will see the current price on the product page). The honors are for the day; the page is for the years of remembering.
Military funeral honors — FAQ
Military funeral honors are the armed forces' final tribute to an eligible veteran or service member. By law, every eligible veteran receives at minimum the folding and presentation of the flag to the next of kin and the playing of Taps, performed by a detail of at least two uniformed service members, one from their branch. Fuller honors can add a rifle volley, a live bugler, a color guard or a caisson. The ceremony ends with the flag presented in the name of a grateful nation. Honors are requested through the funeral director, who coordinates with the military.
Eligibility extends to military members who died on active duty or in the Selected Reserve, veterans who served and were discharged under conditions other than dishonourable, and certain members of the National Guard and Reserve. Eligibility is confirmed with the veteran's discharge papers, the DD Form 214; if you cannot find it, the funeral director or the Department of Veterans Affairs can help you obtain a copy. The exact level of honors depends on the person's status and rank and on the availability of military personnel on the day.
You do not arrange honors yourself — your funeral director requests them on your behalf and coordinates directly with the military. Simply tell them your loved one served and in which branch, and provide the DD Form 214 to confirm eligibility. Ask what level of honors to expect and whether a live bugler will be available. If you are considering burial in a national or state veterans cemetery, the VA can explain added benefits, including a government-provided headstone or marker at no cost. Making the funeral director aware early gives the military time to arrange the detail.
They are often confused, but they are different honours. The rifle volley at a military funeral is usually three rounds fired in unison by a party of about seven riflemen — the number of shots does not add up to 21, and it is not a 21-gun salute. The 21-gun salute is a separate ceremonial honour, fired with cannons, reserved for heads of state and the highest dignitaries on national occasions. The three-round volley at a funeral comes from an old battlefield custom of firing three times to signal that the fallen had been cared for.
The burial flag is folded thirteen times into a triangle, ending with only the blue field and white stars showing, echoing the tricorn hats of the soldiers of the Revolution. It is then presented to the next of kin — usually a spouse, parent or child — with words of thanks on behalf of the President and a grateful nation. If more than one close relative is present, the officer presents it to the primary next of kin, though families can request that it go to a particular person. The flag becomes a lasting, deeply personal keepsake of their service.
The core military funeral honors — the flag folding, its presentation and the playing of Taps by a detail of service members — are provided at no cost to the family for eligible veterans, as a right earned through service. Burial in a national cemetery, a government headstone or marker, and a burial flag are also provided at no cost. Some families choose to arrange additional elements, such as extra ceremonial support or a private venue, which may have costs. Your funeral director and the Department of Veterans Affairs can explain exactly what is provided and what, if anything, is extra.
Honour their service beyond the final salute.
Start a free memorial page so family, friends and those who served alongside them can add a photo or a story, and keep a veteran’s life and service alive for the years ahead.