Military Funeral Honors: Who Qualifies and How to Request Them

Veterans of the United States Armed Forces are entitled to military funeral honors as recognition of their service. Understanding what your family member is entitled to — and how to request it — ensures the honors are arranged without unnecessary last-minute stress. This guide covers the full range of military funeral benefits and honors.

Who Is Eligible

Military funeral honors are available to veterans who were discharged or separated under honorable conditions. This includes:

• Veterans of the Regular Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, Space Force
• Veterans of the National Guard and Reserves with qualifying service
• Former prisoners of war
• Medal of Honor recipients (additional honors apply)

Persons discharged under dishonorable conditions are generally not eligible.

The Basic Honors: What You're Entitled To

Federal law (10 U.S.C. § 985) requires the Department of Defense to provide military funeral honors consisting of at minimum:

• Folding and presentation of the US flag — the flag that drapes the casket is ceremonially folded and presented to the next of kin
• The playing of Taps — either live (by a bugler) or by recorded bugle call. Live bugle performance is preferred but not always available; a recording played on a ceremonial bugle is the standard when no live bugler is available
• At least two uniformed service members — at least one must be from the deceased's own branch of service

Additional Honors Based on Service

Veterans may be entitled to additional honors based on rank and service:

Full military honors

Higher-ranking veterans and those with significant service may receive a full military honors ceremony that includes:

• Military pallbearers (typically 8 service members)
• A firing party (rifle salute) — typically 7 riflemen firing three volleys each
• Chaplain
• Officer or NCO in charge

National cemeteries

Burial in a national cemetery may include gravesite honors provided by the national cemetery staff, in addition to any honors provided by the military branch.

Burial Benefits at National Cemeteries

Eligible veterans may be buried in a national cemetery (or state veterans cemetery) at no cost to the family. This includes:

• Gravesite (no charge)
• Opening and closing of the grave (no charge)
• Liner for the grave (no charge)
• Grave marker or headstone (provided at no cost — see below)

Spouses and dependent children may also be eligible for burial in a national cemetery with the veteran.

To find a national cemetery near you, visit the National Cemetery Administration's website at cem.va.gov.

Government-Furnished Grave Marker

All eligible veterans may receive a government-furnished headstone, grave marker, or medallion — free of charge — from the Department of Veterans Affairs. This is true regardless of whether the burial is in a national cemetery or a private cemetery.

Types available:

• Upright marble or granite headstone
• Flat granite or marble grave marker
• Flat bronze grave marker
• Bronze niche marker (for columbarium interment of cremated remains)
• Bronze medallion (for attachment to a privately purchased headstone)

Apply online through the VA's Memorial Products Service at va.gov/burials-memorials/memorial-items/headstones-markers-medallions/.

Presidential Memorial Certificate

The VA provides a Presidential Memorial Certificate — a signed document bearing the Presidential signature expressing the nation's recognition of the veteran's service — free of charge to the next of kin. Request at va.gov or through your VA regional office.

How to Request Military Funeral Honors

1. Contact your funeral home — they are typically familiar with the process and can coordinate with the military on your behalf
2. Alternatively, contact the nearest military installation's casualty assistance officer directly
3. Have the veteran's DD-214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) available — this is the key document establishing military service and discharge status. If the DD-214 can't be found, request a copy at archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records

Request honors as early as possible — some military branches need advance notice to arrange bugler assignments, pallbearers, or firing parties, especially on short timelines.

For the complete funeral planning guide, see our complete funeral planning guide. For VA survivor benefits beyond funeral honors, see our article on VA benefits for surviving family members.