An Army funeral asks something of the people planning it. There's the honor guard to coordinate, the flag to fold, the questions from relatives who don't know what happens next. And underneath all of it, there's the harder question: what do you actually say?
These prayers and obituary examples are here for that. Not scripts to read word for word — starting points, for the moments when you're staring at a blank page and don't know where to begin.
Building the program itself? Our Honor Lives Forever Funeral Program Template was made for exactly this — a folded flag, a bald eagle, and the crossed rifles of the Infantry, ready to hold the words you choose.
The prayers below were written exclusively for this collection by C. Lindorfer of Noted & Charmed. © Noted & Charmed. Free for personal memorial use with credit. Not for commercial use, republication, or resale.
Army Funeral Prayers
For the Soldier
He stood watch so we didn't have to.
He carried what most of us never will.
Let him rest now.
Let the weight go down.
Let him know it mattered.
He served. He finished. He is home.
For the Family
You gave more than most families are ever asked to give.
Every deployment. Every goodbye at the door.
Every night you didn't know if the phone would ring.
None of that goes unseen.
None of it was wasted.
Rest now, too. You've earned that.
A Short One, for the Service Itself
He served his country. Now let him be still.
Watch over him. Watch over the ones he left behind.
Use whichever one fits the moment — the longer ones work well as a spoken reading; the short one fits on a program cover or a memorial card. Change the words. Make them yours. They're meant to be started from, not recited exactly.
Army Veteran Obituary Examples
For a Career Soldier
[Full Name], [age], of [city, state], passed away on [date]. He proudly served in the United States Army for [number] years, retiring as a [rank]. During his service, he [briefly note deployments, assignments, or honors].
He is survived by [family members]. He was known for his discipline, his loyalty, and the quiet strength he brought to everything he did. A funeral service will be held on [date] at [location].
For a Shorter Term of Service
[Full Name], [age], of [city, state], passed away on [date]. He served in the United States Army from [year] to [year]. Though his time in uniform was brief, it shaped the rest of his life — the discipline stayed, long after the uniform came off.
He is survived by [family members]. He will be remembered for [personal qualities]. A memorial service will be held on [date] at [location].
A Shorter Version, for the Program
[Full Name] passed away on [date] at the age of [age]. He proudly served in the United States Army, and is remembered for his service, his integrity, and the love he gave his family. He is survived by [family members]. A service honoring his life will be held on [date] at [location].
Adjust the brackets, add what only you would know, cut what doesn't fit. Service is one part of the story. It isn't the whole of it.
Once you've chosen your words, our Honor Lives Forever Funeral Program Template gives you a program built to hold them — Canva-editable, with a folded flag, bald eagle, and Army Infantry insignia, ready for photos and your own words.
Looking for more? You may find our Military Funeral Prayers, Hymns & What to Say and Military and Veteran Obituary Examples helpful too.
Sending comfort as you honor a life of service. — Noted & Charmed