Honoring a veteran's service means giving them a funeral ceremony that reflects their dedication and sacrifice. Military funeral honors are formal, dignified rites that recognize years of commitment—and understanding how they work helps you plan appropriately and avoid costly mistakes. This guide walks you through each step, from eligibility verification to the final salute.
Eligibility: Who Qualifies for Military Honors
Not every veteran automatically receives full military funeral honors. The deceased must have served honorably in the U.S. Armed Forces—Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, or Space Force. Dishonorable discharges disqualify someone; general or other-than-honorable discharges may also exclude them.
Active-duty service members, reserve components, and retirees (typically those with 20+ years of service or who were medically retired) qualify. Even some veterans with less than full-time service may be eligible if they completed initial active duty. The funeral home typically confirms eligibility by requesting the veteran's DD214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) or official military records.
Step 1: Notify the Military Branch Early
Contact the veteran's branch of service as soon as possible after death—ideally within 24 hours. Each branch maintains a specific military funeral honors office:
- Army: Army Casualty and Mortuary Affairs
- Navy/Marines: Navy Casualty Assistance Calls Officer
- Air Force: Air Force Casualty Assistance
- Coast Guard: Coast Guard Casualty Assistance
- Veterans Affairs: Can coordinate if you're unsure which branch
Your funeral director typically handles this notification, but confirming they've done so is your responsibility. Provide the veteran's service number, branch, rank, and death certificate information. Late notification may result in delays of 1–3 weeks for an honors detail to become available.
Step 2: Choose Your Ceremony Type and Location
Military funeral honors come in several configurations, each with different requirements and timelines:
Full Military Funeral: Graveside ceremony with a uniformed detail (typically 7–8 service members), rifle volleys, taps played on bugle, and flag presentation. Usually takes 20–30 minutes. This is standard and often free.
Burial at Arlington National Cemetery: Restricted to certain retirees and medal recipients. Highly competitive; expect 6–12 month wait times. Costs $0–$5,000 depending on grave selection and private contractor fees.
State Veterans Cemetery: Many states offer military burial grounds with honors details included at no cost. Timelines are typically 2–4 weeks. These are excellent lower-cost alternatives to private cemeteries.
Private Cemetery with Military Detail: Your funeral home coordinates an honors detail at a civilian cemetery. Cost ranges from $500–$2,500 for the detail itself, plus cemetery fees.
Step 3: Arrange Logistics with Your Funeral Home
Your funeral director becomes the operational hub. They liaise with the military honors office, coordinate the date and time, and prepare the gravesite. Ask your funeral home specifically:
- Have they confirmed the honors detail's availability?
- What's the expected arrival date for the detail (they may need 48 hours' notice)?
- Will they handle flag presentation, or do you take the flag home after?
- Are there costs for the honors detail beyond their standard funeral package?
Timeline expectation: 1–3 weeks from death to ceremony for standard honors; longer for Arlington or out-of-state arrangements.
Step 4: Prepare the Veteran and Arrange Viewing
The deceased should be dressed in uniform if available, or formal civilian clothing. The casket is typically closed for a military ceremony, though a brief open viewing is possible beforehand. The flag drapes the casket during the service and is folded and presented to the next of kin at the end.
Request the flag fold happen during the ceremony so family members see it. Discuss music preferences—military branches often provide a bugler for taps, but if none is available, a recorded version is substituted (much less common now).
Step 5: The Ceremony and Beyond
On the day, the honors detail arrives in dress uniform. They perform the rifle volley (three shots fired three times, not celebratory gunfire), play taps, and fold and present the flag with formal words of gratitude. Family members may keep the flag permanently. Some families frame it; others donate it to a veteran's organization.
If the veteran qualifies, request a commemorative flag to be flown over the Capitol—a meaningful keepsake that costs nothing and arrives in 4–6 weeks.
Working with Providers
Finding and coordinating military funeral honors providers can feel overwhelming. Platforms like Mercoly let you compare funeral homes experienced in military ceremonies, see their pricing, and read reviews from families who've gone through the process—all in one place.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is military funeral honors free? Graveside honors details performed by active military are free. However, private cemetery fees, funeral home costs, and casket/burial vault purchases are separate expenses. Expect $3,000–$8,000 total for a standard burial with honors.
Q: What if the veteran was dishonorably discharged—can they still get honors? No. Dishonorable or bad-conduct discharges disqualify someone. Some general discharges do too, depending on the specific circumstances. Contact your military branch's casualty office to verify eligibility before planning.
Q: Can I get military honors if the funeral is delayed several months? Yes. There's no statute of limitations, though organizing takes longer. Contact your state veterans affairs office or the VA directly to arrange a posthumous ceremony even years after death.
Start by calling your state veterans cemetery or the VA to understand your options and confirm eligibility—it takes 15 minutes and clarifies your entire plan.