Our Weekly Tip: Preparing for Your Full Military Funeral Honors
Photo Credit: Staff Sergeant Charity Barrett
Our Tip of the Week: If your loved one or you served in the military, free military honors benefits might be available. Check your eligibility today to prepare the necessary paperwork.
The U.S. military is required by law to provide eligible members and former members with a full honor guard detail at no charge. The ceremony includes flag folding, the recital of “Taps” and a grave marker in a military cemetery. It is a way to honor loved ones who were in the armed forces, all at no cost to the families.
How-to Suggestion: The first step in requesting your full military honors is to prepare the paperwork ahead of time. Military officials ask that the family retains a copy of the veteran’s Discharge from Active Duty form (DD Form 214). You can request this document from the National Archives if you don’t have it in your possession. If you cannot find the DD Form 214, you can submit another discharge document, but its verification is subject to review.
Once you have your DD Form 214, talk to a funeral director about full military honors. Funeral directors have direct communication with military officials who handle honors in your county or state. The funeral director will handle all arrangements from there, requiring little to no additional work for the family.
Before you apply for full military honors, make sure that your loved one or you meet eligibility requirements. In order to receive the benefit, the person must be a Selected Reserve active duty member or a former active duty member who received an honorable discharge. In addition, members need to have completed at least one term of enlistment. Veterans who were discharged due to disability or injury are also eligible for honors; only those who were dishonorably discharged are ineligible.
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I appreciate the mention that funeral directors have direct communication with military officials who handle honors. My brother in law passed away while in service, and my parents are trying to help my sister plan for the funeral. Since my sister is having a difficult time with the situation, I’ll be sure to let my family know about this tip so that they can get the support that they need.
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Should the family tip the Honor Guard? Is there a usual amount to provide to them?
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Hi Lori,
I did a little digging since I wasn’t sure about this answer. According to an organization that provides honor guards for military funerals in Texas, most of the men and women who serve as honor guards are volunteer reservists or retired military. Although their services are always provided free of charge, an honorarium is acceptable and would probably be appreciated. I can’t suggest an amount, but a local funeral director probably could.
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Lori, I’m wondering the same thing. In your research, did you come up with a customary amount?
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