We're proud to do our part in honoring our country's veterans for their dedication and selfless service by giving back to those whose sacrifice and patriotism define our great nation. We would be honored to help you make arrangements for any combination of traditional military tributes because we believe it's our duty to provide you and your family with professional and dignified assistance during your time of need.
Standard Honor Military Funerals
Traditional elements and honors can include the following:
- Flag Presentation Service by two active military personnel from your loved one's branch of service.
- The Playing of Taps by a lone bugler or audio recording at the gravesite, chapel, church, or funeral home.
Full Honor Military Funerals
A person must have died in active military service or was a life long retired service member to receive full honors. Full military honors are often available to any veteran if they are buried in a National Cemetery, if scheduling allows. Full elements and honors includes the following under these circumstances:
- Flag Presentation Service by at least two active military personnel from your loved one's branch of service
- The Playing of Taps by a lone bugler or audio recording
- A 21 Gun Salute
- Possible Military Casket Bearers. This depends on availability
Other Veteran Benefits
In addition to coordinating honors related to the service itself, we can help you communicate with the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to arrange for:
- A Presidential Memorial Certificate. This is a certificate expressing the nation's recognition of the veteran's service. The veteran's name is inscribed and the certificate bears the signature of the president. Certificates are issued in the name of honorably discharged, deceased veterans. Contact us for assistance in applying for a Presidential Memorial Certificate, and we would be happy to guide you through the process.
- Headstones or Markers. The VA provides headstones and markers for the graves of veterans anywhere in the world and for eligible dependents of veterans buried in national, state veteran or military cemeteries.
- Memorial Plots. If an eligible veteran's remains are not available for burial, the VA will provide a plot and headstone or marker in a national cemetery for memorialization. If you wish to place the memorial in a cemetery other than a national cemetery, the VA will provide the headstone or marker but not the plot itself.
- Burial in a VA National Cemetery. This includes the gravesite, opening and closing of the grave,a grave box, and perpetual care.
- Reimbursement of Burial Expenses. For information on eligibility and the different levels of potential reimbursement, please review their Guide to VA Burial Allowances.
Additional Resources
Please visit the following links for detailed information about the options available for honoring service members and other aspects of military funerals:
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Click on Veteran Services and look underneath the Burials & Memorials heading.
- Veterans' Funeral and Burial Benefits. Helpful information from Funeral Consumers Alliance.
- Honoring Those Who Served. An explanation of the various types of honors available for military funerals.