Planning funerals for military veterans and retirees can be
overwhelming for their families and the Department of Defense director of
casualty and mortuary affairs wants family members to familiarize themselves in
advance when possible to know what to expect with military funeral honors.
Deborah S. Skillman said families should learn about
military funeral honors eligibility ahead of time to know what choices are
available. She also recommends that family members should ensure they have
access to the veteran’s discharge papers, also called DD Form 214, to prove
eligibility.
It’s also critical for family members who want military
funeral honors to tell their funeral director, who can make the request for
them, she said. The honors are not automatic, and must be requested through the
veteran’s branch of service, she noted.
“Families also need to know the DOD is going to be there
when the honors are requested,” Skillman added.
DOD policy is mandated by law to provide a minimum of a
two-person uniformed detail to present the core elements of the funeral honors
ceremony, and one service member must represent the veteran’s branch of
service, she said. The core elements comprise playing Taps, folding the
American flag and presenting the flag to the family.
Burials with military funeral honors can be conducted at
national, veterans’ or private cemeteries, she said.
“While the DOD is required to provide a two-service-member
detail, policy encourages each service secretary to provide additional
elements, such as the firing team and pall bearers, if resources permit.
However, full honors are always provided for active duty deaths,” Skillman
said.
“Military honors may consist of three rifle volleys by a
firing team,” she said, and added that veteran service organizations often
participate in burials with military honors to serve as pall bearers and to
provide a firing team.
The Veterans Affairs Department also offers other benefits,
such as headstones, Skillman said.
“We want to honor every eligible service member,” Skillman
said, “and make sure the services are there to render honors.”