Every veteran who served honorably is entitled to a military funeral ceremony — at no cost. Yet many families don't know exactly what's available, how to request it, or what to expect. This guide covers everything you need to know.
Who Is Eligible
Military funeral honors are available to veterans who were discharged under conditions other than dishonorable. This includes:
- All honorably or generally discharged veterans of any branch of the U.S. Armed Forces
- Members who died while on active duty
- Members of the National Guard and Reserve who served at least one period of federal service
- Retirees and members who die while in retirement
The key document is the DD-214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty). If you cannot find the veteran's DD-214, request a copy from the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) at archives.gov/veterans.
What Military Funeral Honors Include
The minimum ceremony (all eligible veterans)
Under the Veterans' Benefits Improvement Act of 2000, all eligible veterans are entitled to at minimum:
- Folding and presentation of the American flag — performed by at least two uniformed service members, with the flag presented to the next of kin along with words of condolence
- Playing of Taps — traditionally played by a live bugler; when a live bugler is unavailable, an electronic rendering using a high-quality recorded bugle call is permitted
Additional honors (varies by branch, location, and availability)
- Military escort — uniformed service members serving as pallbearers and escort
- Three-volley salute — the traditional rifle salute (often called a "21-gun salute," though that term technically refers to a cannon salute)
- Color guard — a formal color guard with branch and American flags
- Military chaplain — an ordained military chaplain to perform or assist with the ceremony
- Branch-specific ceremonies — each branch has specific traditions and protocols
Active duty vs. veteran honors
Members who die while on active duty typically receive a more extensive full military funeral with military escort, pallbearers, and a larger ceremony. Veterans receive honors scaled to what is available at the time and location. National Guard and Reserve members' honors depend on whether their service included a federal activation.
How to Request Military Funeral Honors
Through the funeral home
The simplest path: notify the funeral home that the deceased was a veteran and request military funeral honors. Funeral homes are required by law to request honors on behalf of the family upon request. They coordinate with the appropriate branch's casualty affairs or military honors program.
Directly with the branch
You can also contact the veteran's branch of service directly. Each branch maintains personnel or casualty affairs offices that coordinate funeral honors for veterans.
For national cemetery burial
If the veteran will be buried in a national cemetery, contact the National Cemetery Scheduling Office at 800-535-1117. They coordinate burial scheduling and military honors together.
VA National Cemetery Burial Benefits
In addition to funeral honors, eligible veterans are entitled to burial in a national cemetery at no cost, including:
- Opening and closing of the grave
- Grave liner
- Perpetual care of the gravesite
- A headstone or marker inscribed with the veteran's information
- Presidential Memorial Certificate
Spouses and dependent children may also be eligible for burial in a national cemetery alongside the veteran. The VA's National Cemetery Scheduling Office (800-535-1117) handles these arrangements.
Other VA Burial Benefits
Veterans buried in private cemeteries may be eligible for:
- Burial allowance: A lump-sum payment toward funeral expenses for veterans who die of a service-connected condition, while receiving VA care, or in certain other circumstances
- Headstone or marker: The VA provides a headstone or marker for eligible veterans buried in private cemeteries at no cost
- Burial flag: An American flag to drape over the casket (or cover the urn) of a veteran, presented to next of kin
- Presidential Memorial Certificate: A signed certificate from the President of the United States honoring the veteran's service
What to Expect at the Ceremony
The ceremony itself is typically brief — 15–30 minutes — and dignified. A few things to expect:
- Service members will arrive in dress uniform and be professional and respectful throughout
- The flag folding is precise and ceremonial — 13 folds, each with specific meaning in tradition
- The presentation of the flag is one of the most moving moments for many families — the words spoken acknowledge the sacrifice and service
- Taps, whether live or recorded, is played at the close of the ceremony
- Family members may be asked about specific preferences; communicate them in advance through the funeral home
What Documents to Gather
- DD-214 (primary proof of service and discharge status)
- If unavailable: request from NPRC at archives.gov/veterans; next-of-kin requests for deceased veterans are prioritized
- Any discharge papers, service records, or other military documentation can supplement the DD-214 request
Planning Ahead
If you're a veteran planning your own arrangements, consider documenting your DD-214 in a secure location your family can access, and explicitly noting in your advance directive or estate documents that you would like military funeral honors requested. See our guide on veteran funeral benefits for the full picture of what you've earned.