When a veteran dies, their family is entitled to a set of honors and burial benefits that recognize their service. Many families don't know the full extent of what's available or how to request it. Here's a complete guide to what veterans are entitled to and how to make it happen.
Military Funeral Honors: The Flag Ceremony and Taps
Under federal law (10 U.S.C. § 985), every eligible veteran is entitled to a military funeral honors detail consisting of at least two uniformed service members from the veteran's branch. The ceremony includes:
- Flag folding: The American flag is folded with ceremonial precision into a tight triangle.
- Flag presentation: The folded flag is presented to the next of kin with the words: "On behalf of the President of the United States, the United States [branch of service], and a grateful nation, please accept this flag as a symbol of our appreciation for your loved one's honorable and faithful service."
- Taps: The traditional 24-note bugle call is played — live by a bugler if available, or via a certified bugle device if not.
These basic honors are provided at no cost to the family. Request them through your funeral director, who will coordinate with the nearest military installation.
Burial in a National Cemetery
All eligible veterans — and their spouses and dependent children — are entitled to burial in a national cemetery at no cost to the family. Included at no cost:
- Gravesite in the cemetery
- Opening and closing of the grave
- Grave liner
- Government-furnished headstone or marker (inscribed with the veteran's name, dates of service, branch, and if desired, an emblem of belief)
- Perpetual care of the grave
There are more than 150 national cemeteries across the country. To arrange burial in a national cemetery, contact the National Cemetery Scheduling Office at 1-800-535-1117.
VA Burial Allowances
The VA provides burial allowances to help offset funeral costs for veterans who:
- Were receiving VA pension or compensation at the time of death
- Died of a service-connected condition
- Died in a VA facility
Allowance amounts vary based on circumstances and are updated periodically. Contact the VA at 1-800-827-1000 or visit va.gov/burials-memorials for current amounts.
The DD-214: The Most Important Document
The DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) is the document that proves a veteran's service and discharge status. You will need this for every military funeral benefit. If you don't have the DD-214:
- Request it from the National Personnel Records Center: archives.gov/veterans
- eVetRecs is the online request system
- Requests typically take several weeks, but expedited processing is available for burial purposes
Store your DD-214 (or your loved one's) with important documents and tell your family where it is. This is one of the most important documents a veteran's family can have.