Honoring a veteran's life means getting the funeral details right—and military funeral packages bundle the essentials in ways that standard services don't. Understanding what's actually covered helps you plan with confidence and ensures your loved one receives the respect they've earned.
What Makes a Military Funeral Package Different
A military funeral isn't just a regular service with a flag. These packages combine civilian funeral arrangements with official military honors, which means coordinating between funeral homes, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and military branches. The service reflects both personal preferences and military protocol, so clarity upfront matters.
Most military funeral packages start around $2,500–$5,000 for basic elements, though final costs depend on your choices around caskets, vaults, flowers, and reception details. Add-ons like honor guards, cemetery plots, or additional viewings push costs higher.
Core Components of a Standard Package
Casket and Preparation You'll select a casket—typically starting at $800–$2,500—and the funeral home will prepare the body for viewing and service. Many packages offer a limited selection; choosing a casket outside that range often adds $300–$800.
Viewing and Visitation Most packages include one or two hours of public viewing in the funeral home's chapel. This lets family and friends pay respects before the formal service. If you need extended visitation hours or multiple days, expect additional facility fees of $150–$400 per extra session.
Funeral Service The actual ceremony—held at a funeral home, church, or military installation—is included. This covers basic use of the chapel, a funeral director's coordination, and sometimes an organist or sound system. If you want a clergy member, musician, or videographer not provided by the funeral home, you'll book and pay them separately.
Military Honors This is where military packages shine. Included elements typically are:
- Flag presentation (folded flag presented to the family)
- Honor guard (typically 5–7 uniformed service members)
- Rifle volley (three-shot salute)
- Taps (bugler playing the traditional military melody)
- Casket team (uniformed pallbearers if requested)
These honors are provided by the veteran's branch of service at no cost, but the funeral director must submit the proper paperwork (DD Form 214 or discharge papers) to request them. Processing this takes 3–7 days, so plan accordingly.
Grave Committal A brief ceremony at the graveside is included, with military personnel present if honors were arranged. The funeral director handles logistics; the cemetery provides the grave opening and closing.
Cemetery and Burial If the veteran qualifies for burial in a VA National Cemetery, the plot and opening/closing fees are waived—a savings of $1,000–$3,000. If you choose a private cemetery, you'll pay for the plot separately ($500–$2,000+) and typically purchase a vault ($800–$2,500) to prevent ground settling.
Cremation Packages
Many providers now offer military cremation packages ($1,800–$3,500) that include the cremation process, a temporary urn, memorial service coordination, and the same military honors. Some allow a brief viewing before cremation; verify this when comparing options, as not all facilities permit it.
What's Not Usually Included
Flowers, reception/luncheon catering, additional copies of death certificates, newspaper obituaries, and monument/marker engraving are typically extra. Reception venues can run $200–$500; flowers vary widely. Ask your funeral director for a complete, itemized quote so you aren't surprised.
How to Compare and Choose
Request price lists from at least two funeral homes—they're required to provide them by law. Look specifically for:
- What's included in their "military package" versus à la carte pricing
- Timeline for processing VA paperwork
- Experience with your veteran's branch of service
- Whether they handle VA burial benefits applications
- Flexibility to add or remove services
Platforms like Mercoly help you compare trusted Veteran & Military Funeral Honors providers side-by-side, so you can see pricing and services clearly before committing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do I need a funeral home to arrange military honors, or can I do it myself? Military honors are arranged through the funeral home or directly with the veterans' service office, not independently. A funeral director handles the paperwork submission and coordination, which is one reason using a military-experienced funeral home simplifies the process.
Q: Can a veteran be buried in Arlington National Cemetery, and what does that cost? Arlington accepts only veterans meeting strict eligibility criteria (typically honorable discharge, no significant federal crimes). There's no cost for the burial itself, but you'll still pay a funeral home for service coordination, which runs $1,500–$3,500.
Q: What if my loved one was never formally buried and I'm arranging a memorial service years later—can they still receive military honors? Yes, military honors are available for memorials, though the rifle volley and flag presentation logistics differ slightly from ground burials. Contact your funeral home to discuss options specific to your situation.
Ready to compare military funeral packages and providers in your area? Use Mercoly to find trusted, transparent pricing today.