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.
Quick answer: Every honorably discharged veteran is entitled to military funeral honors at no cost — a two-person honor guard, flag folding and presentation, and Taps. Your funeral director requests this on your behalf using the veteran's DD-214. Start there, then use the resources below for the rest of the planning.
Don't Want to Build the Program Yourself?
Between the honors paperwork, the funeral home, and everything else on this list, building the program yourself may be one task too many. We can build it for you — you choose the pages and content, our team assembles a print-ready program. Starting at $50.
See Done-For-You Options →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. Noted & Charmed offers three complete veteran suites (program, guest book, prayer card, bookmark, thank you card): Home of the Brave (classic red, white & blue), Duty & Honor (Army-focused, bold and traditional), and Honor and Service (navy and gold, understated). Or browse the full Military & Patriotic collection.
Prefer to have it built for you? See the Done-For-You program service — you choose the pages, we assemble it.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is military funeral honors free?
Yes. Every honorably discharged veteran is entitled to military funeral honors at no cost, including a two-person honor guard, flag folding and presentation, and Taps. Your funeral director submits the request on your behalf.
What document do I need to request military honors?
The DD-214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) is the key document. If it can't be located, it can be replaced — a funeral home experienced with military funerals can guide you through that process.
How soon after a death can a military funeral be held?
There's no fixed rule — timing depends on the funeral home, cemetery availability (especially for national cemeteries, which can have a waiting period), and the family's needs. Requesting military honors and starting VA paperwork early helps avoid delays.
Do I need to contact the VA myself, or does the funeral home handle it?
A funeral home experienced with military funerals typically submits the honors request and can help with VA paperwork, but the family (or next of kin) usually needs to directly contact the VA regarding burial allowances, survivor benefits, and headstone requests.
What happens to the flag after the funeral?
The folded flag belongs to the family. Many choose to display it in a shadow box alongside medals, photographs, and the shell casings from the rifle volley.
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
- Home of the Brave Suite
- Duty & Honor Suite
- Honor and Service Suite
- All Military & Patriotic Funeral Program Templates
- Done-For-You Program Service
© Noted & Charmed. This guide is intended for informational purposes to help families navigate military funeral planning with confidence. Sending comfort and heartfelt condolences.