Planning a funeral is never easy. Planning a military funeral — with its protocols, honors, and moving parts — can feel especially overwhelming when you are already carrying the weight of grief.
This guide is here to help. It walks you through every step of planning a military funeral, from the first phone calls to the final farewell, and connects you to the detailed resources you need along the way.
Jump to a section:
The First 24 Hours • Choosing a Funeral Home • Requesting Military Honors • The Funeral Program • Understanding the Ceremony • Personalizing the Service • After the Funeral • Full Resource Guide
The First 24 Hours
In the immediate aftermath of a veteran’s passing, there are a few things to prioritize:
- Locate the DD-214. The key document for arranging military honors and burial benefits. If you cannot find it, don’t panic — it can be replaced. See: Military Funeral Honors: Who Qualifies and How to Arrange Them.
- Contact a funeral home. Choose a director experienced with military funerals. They will coordinate honors, burial location, and logistics.
- Notify the veteran’s branch of service if the death occurred on active duty. Your funeral director can help.
- Contact the VA regarding burial allowances, headstones, and national cemetery eligibility.
You do not need to have everything figured out immediately. Take it one step at a time.
Choosing a Funeral Home
Ask any funeral home you consider: Have you coordinated military honors before? Are you familiar with the DD-214 and VA burial benefits? Can you help arrange burial at a national cemetery? A director experienced with military funerals will know how to navigate the honors system, VA paperwork, and branch-specific requirements.
Requesting Military Honors
Every honorably discharged veteran is entitled to military funeral honors at no cost — two uniformed service members, flag folding and presentation, and Taps. Your funeral director submits the request on your behalf.
👉 Military Funeral Honors: Who Qualifies and How to Arrange Them
The Funeral Program
A military funeral program typically includes the veteran’s name, branch, dates of service, and rank; a photo; the order of service; a poem or tribute; a note about the honors being rendered; and acknowledgments. All templates at Noted & Charmed are Canva-editable. Browse the Military & Patriotic collection.
Understanding the Ceremony
The standard sequence: arrival of the honor guard → processional and flag placement → opening remarks → readings and eulogy → military honors (rifle volley, Taps, flag folding, flag presentation) → closing and recessional.
👉 Understanding the Order of Service for a Military Funeral
👉 Step-by-Step: What Happens at a Military Funeral
The Military Honors in Detail
- The rifle volley — three distinct volleys fired in unison by the firing party, a final salute to the fallen. See: The Meaning Behind Military Funeral Traditions
- Taps — 24 notes, the final call. See: Taps: The Final Call
- The flag folding — 13 precise folds, performed in silence. See: The Flag: From First Salute to Final Presentation
- The flag presentation — placed in the hands of the next of kin with the nation’s gratitude. See: The Flag: From First Salute to Final Presentation
- The honor guard — service members who carry out every element with precision. See: The Role of the Honor Guard at a Military Funeral
Personalizing the Service
Military protocol and personal tribute can coexist beautifully. Display medals, photographs, and uniform items; include the veteran’s favorite music; invite comrades to share stories; choose poems that reflect their branch or faith.
👉 Personalizing a Military Funeral While Honoring Tradition
👉 Original Poems for a Military Veteran’s Funeral Program
👉 Poems for a Female Veteran’s Funeral Program
👉 Quotes for a Military Veteran’s Funeral Program
After the Funeral
- The flag — belongs to the family. Many display it in a shadow box alongside medals and photographs.
- VA benefits — contact the VA regarding burial allowances, survivor benefits, and headstone requests.
- Thank the honor guard — a written note is always appreciated and never expected.
- Extra programs — order more than you think you need. Families often wish they had.
- Grief support — the VA, American Legion, and veterans’ service organizations offer resources for families.
Full Resource Guide
Planning & Honors
- Military Funeral Honors: Who Qualifies and How to Arrange Them
- Understanding the Order of Service for a Military Funeral
- Step-by-Step: What Happens at a Military Funeral
The Ceremony Explained
- The Meaning Behind Military Funeral Traditions
- The Role of the Honor Guard at a Military Funeral
- The Flag: From First Salute to Final Presentation
- Taps: The Final Call
Personalizing the Service
Poems & Tributes
- Original Poems for a Military Veteran’s Funeral Program
- Poems for a Female Veteran’s Funeral Program
- Quotes for a Military Veteran’s Funeral Program
The Funeral Program
© Noted & Charmed. This guide is intended for informational purposes to help families navigate military funeral planning with confidence. Sending comfort and heartfelt condolences.