Military Funeral Honors: Who Qualifies and How to Arrange Them

Two Marine Corps honor guard members in dress uniform passing a folded American flag between white-gloved hands, with rows of military headstones visible in the background — header image for a guide to military funeral honors

When a veteran passes, one of the most meaningful things a family can do is ensure they receive the military funeral honors they earned. But navigating the process — understanding who qualifies, what to request, and how to coordinate it — can feel overwhelming during an already difficult time.

This guide walks you through everything you need to know, step by step.

Jump to a section:
Who Qualifies • What Honors Are Provided • Full Military Honors vs. Standard Honors • How to Request Honors • The Role of the DD-214 • If the DD-214 Is Missing • Veterans’ Service Organizations • Branch-Specific Considerations • What Families Should Know

Who Qualifies

Military funeral honors are available to any veteran who meets the following criteria under federal law (10 U.S.C. § 1491):

  • Served in the active military, naval, or air service
  • Was discharged or released under conditions other than dishonorable

This includes veterans from all branches — Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Coast Guard, and Space Force — as well as members of the National Guard and Reserve who completed at least one federal activation or met minimum service requirements.

Eligibility is not limited to combat veterans or those who served during wartime. Any honorably discharged veteran qualifies, regardless of the length or nature of their service.

What Honors Are Provided

At minimum, every qualifying veteran is entitled to:

  • Two uniformed military personnel to conduct the ceremony
  • The folding and presentation of the American flag to the next of kin
  • The playing of Taps — either live or via a ceremonial bugle with a recorded performance

This is the baseline. Depending on the veteran’s rank, branch, and the availability of personnel, additional honors may be provided — including a rifle party for the three-volley salute, a full honor guard detail, and branch-specific ceremonial elements.

Full Military Honors vs. Standard Honors

Standard Military Funeral Honors — The minimum required by law: two service members, flag folding and presentation, and Taps. This is what most veterans receive by default.

Full Military Honors — A more extensive ceremony typically reserved for officers, senior NCOs, Medal of Honor recipients, Prisoner of War (POW) Medal recipients, and those who died on active duty. Full honors may include a caisson, a full honor guard, a rifle party, a military chaplain, and additional branch-specific elements. Arlington National Cemetery and other national cemeteries provide full honors for eligible veterans.

Families who wish to request full military honors should discuss this with their funeral director early in the planning process.

How to Request Honors

Military funeral honors are coordinated through the funeral director — families do not need to contact the military directly.

  1. Notify the funeral director that the deceased was a veteran and that you wish to have military funeral honors.
  2. Provide the DD-214 — the funeral director will use this to verify eligibility and submit the request.
  3. The funeral director contacts the appropriate branch or the DoD’s funeral honors coordination system.
  4. Confirm the details — date, time, location, and any specific requests — as the ceremony approaches.

The Role of the DD-214

The DD-214 is the primary document used to verify eligibility. Provide a copy (never the original) to the funeral director.

If the DD-214 Is Missing

Honors can still be arranged without the DD-214. The NPRC in St. Louis maintains military service records. Standard requests take weeks to months, but emergency burial requests are prioritized and can often be turned around within days — provide proof of death and the funeral date via their urgent fax line or online portal.

Veterans’ Service Organizations

When active-duty personnel are unavailable, organizations such as the American Legion, VFW, and AMVETS provide trained volunteer honor guards at no cost. Contact the nearest post or ask your funeral director for a referral.

Branch-Specific Considerations

  • Army — Installation Funeral Honors Officer at the nearest Army installation.
  • Navy — Navy Casualty Assistance Calls Officer (CACO).
  • Marine Corps — Marine Corps Casualty Section.
  • Air Force — Nearest Air Force base Mortuary Affairs office.
  • Coast Guard — Coast Guard Casualty and Mortuary Affairs office.
  • Space Force — Coordinated through Air Force channels.
  • National Guard / Reserve — Veteran’s last unit of assignment or state adjutant general’s office.

Your funeral director handles this coordination — you do not need to contact these offices directly.

What Families Should Know

  • There is no cost to the family for standard military funeral honors.
  • Honors can be provided at any location — funeral home, place of worship, graveside, or national cemetery.
  • National cemeteries provide burial at no cost, a government headstone, and perpetual care. Call 1-800-535-1117.
  • The flag is yours to keep — a gift from the nation, with no strings attached.
  • If something goes wrong, contact the DoD Military Funeral Honors program or your congressional representative’s office.

Important Contact Information & Resources

National Cemetery Scheduling Office
Phone: 1-800-535-1117 (7 days a week)
Website: va.gov/burials-memorials

National Personnel Records Center (NPRC)
Phone: 314-801-0800
Emergency Fax: 314-801-0764 (SF-180 + proof of death required)
Online: archives.gov/veterans (select “Emergency Request”)

DoD Military Funeral Honors — Military OneSource
Phone: 1-800-342-9647 (24/7)

Branch Coordinators:

  • Army: 1-800-325-4986
  • Air Force: 1-800-531-5803
  • Marine Corps: 1-866-826-3628
  • Navy: 1-202-905-8344
  • Coast Guard (24/7): 1-571-266-2375

Honoring Their Service in the Funeral Program

The funeral program is one of the most lasting keepsakes from the ceremony. Including a note about the veteran’s branch, years of service, and the honors being rendered gives every guest a way to understand and share in the tribute.

All templates at Noted & Charmed are Canva-editable and ready to personalize. Browse our Military & Patriotic collection for designs built for a veteran’s memorial.

Related Resources

© Noted & Charmed. This guide is intended for informational purposes to help families navigate military funeral planning with confidence. Sending comfort and heartfelt condolences.