Military funerals follow a structured protocol that honors the deceased's service, but the timeline and logistics require careful planning. Between arranging honors, coordinating with military branches, and managing family logistics, you'll need 5–14 days to organize a proper service. Understanding each step helps reduce stress during an already difficult time.
The First 24–48 Hours: Immediate Steps
Once a veteran passes, notify the branch of service immediately—Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, or National Guard. Most funeral homes handle this contact on your behalf, but you can also call your local military liaison office directly. This notification triggers the military's honors process and determines what benefits and ceremonial support the family qualifies for.
During this window, you'll also need to:
- Obtain multiple certified death certificates (order 8–10 copies; you'll need them for benefits, insurance, and military paperwork)
- Contact the funeral home and select a director experienced with military funerals
- Verify the veteran's discharge status and DD Form 214 (military discharge document)
- Begin notifying immediate family, friends, and the veteran's unit or command if applicable
Days 2–5: Military Honors Coordination
Military honors vary by discharge status. An honorable discharge typically qualifies for a full military funeral with ceremonial flag folding, rifle volley, and taps. General discharges or medical discharges may receive modified honors. Dishonorable discharges generally don't qualify.
Contact the appropriate military office:
- Army or Air Force veterans: Army Mortuary Affairs or nearest base
- Navy or Coast Guard: Navy Casualty Office
- Marines: Marine Corps Base or local recruiter
- National Guard: State Adjutant General's office
This coordination usually takes 3–5 business days. Confirm in writing what honors are approved so your funeral director can plan the ceremony accurately. The military won't always send personnel to smaller services, so discuss whether active-duty or reserve personnel will attend.
Days 3–7: Funeral Arrangements
Work with your funeral director to finalize logistics. Military funeral costs typically range from $3,500 to $8,000 for basic services, depending on location and whether you choose burial or cremation. The VA burial allowance covers up to $300 toward funeral expenses for eligible veterans, but this rarely covers the full cost.
Key decisions include:
- Venue: Church, funeral home, or military chapel
- Burial location: VA cemetery, military cemetery, private cemetery, or national cemetery
- Casket or cremation: Military burial usually requires a casket, but some VA cemeteries allow cremains
- Reception details: Catering, flower arrangements, military reception logistics
If planning a burial at Arlington National Cemetery or another national cemetery, expect longer processing (potentially 2–3 weeks). Private military cemeteries or VA cemeteries typically schedule burials within 5–10 days.
Days 5–10: Finalizing Details
Confirm all military personnel attendance with your funeral director. Request specific elements like:
- Honor guard (usually 3–8 personnel)
- Bagpiper or bugler (for taps)
- Flag folding ceremony
- Flyover (rare but possible for high-ranking retirees)
Prepare a veteran's biography or eulogy that includes service details—branch, rank, unit, years of service, decorations. This information helps the military ceremonial team conduct the service with proper honors.
Coordinate with family on attire (formal dress is typical), seating arrangements, and who will receive the folded flag. If the veteran has surviving spouses or specific beneficiaries, clarify who receives the flag presentation.
Days 7–14: Final Logistics
Confirm the service date and time 2–3 days before the funeral. Double-check that the military liaison has all required paperwork and that the funeral home has the correct uniform details (rank, branch, medals). If a graveside service, ensure the cemetery knows about the flag folding ceremony.
The day before, conduct a final walkthrough with the funeral director to review the order of service, music selections, and processional timing. This prevents surprises and ensures the military honor guard knows what to expect.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I have a military funeral if the veteran didn't die on active duty? Yes—any veteran with an honorable discharge qualifies for military burial honors, regardless of how or where they died. Your discharge status, not your cause of death, determines eligibility.
Q: What if the veteran's DD Form 214 is lost? Request a copy from the National Archives or your branch's personnel records office online; this typically takes 5–10 business days but can be expedited for funeral purposes.
Q: Do I have to use a funeral home experienced with military funerals? Not legally, but funeral homes with military experience coordinate honors more smoothly and know exactly what paperwork and timing military branches require, reducing delays.
Use Mercoly to find and compare trusted Veteran & Military Funeral Honors providers in your area, so you can focus on family instead of logistics.