Providing support and assistance to the loved ones of the brave men and women who have been served our county is our way of saying, "Thank you", for their service to this great nation we call home. It is an honor and privilege to be here for their loved ones during the difficult time of loss, providing professional and caring assistance from creating a service that honors the Vetarans, burial in a National Cemetery, if desired, to filing for VA and insurance benefits. When facing this time of need, the families and loved ones of a Veterans should not be concerned with the many details involved in these plans and processes but rather spending time to grieve and celebrate their loved one's meaningful life of dedication and selfless service.
Traditional Honors
Eligible veterans receive the folding and presenting of the American flag to the next of kin and the playing of Taps by a bugler or recording. These honors are performed by an honor guard detail that has at least two members of the Armed Forces. One member must be a representative from the branch in which the veteran served, and this member presents the flag.
Honors also can include:
- The U.S. flag draped over the casket
- A three-volley rifle salute to represent duty, honor, and country
- A final salute at the gravesite
Veteran Benefits
In addition to honoring your veteran during the service, we can help contact the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for:
- Headstones: 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, or military cemeteries.
- A Presidential Memorial Certificate: This certificate shows the nation's recognition of the veteran's service. It includes the veteran's name and the signature of the President.
- Memorial plots: If an eligible veteran's remains are not available for burial, the VA can provide a plot and headstone or marker in a national cemetery for memorialization. If you want to place the memorial in a cemetery other than a national cemetery, the VA will provide the headstone or marker but not the plot.
- Burial in a national cemetery: This includes the gravesite, opening and closing of the grave, a grave box, and perpetual care.
- Reimbursement of burial: For information on eligibility and the different levels of potential reimbursement, please review the Guide to VA Burial Allowances.
Eligibility
Military funeral honors are free and mandated by law for eligible veterans. Eligibility is verified by the veteran’s DD-214, or discharge papers. Eligible members are:
- Military members on active duty or in the Selected Reserve.
- Former military members discharged from the Selected Reserve due to a disability incurred or aggravated in the line of duty.
- Former military members who served on active duty and departed with honorable conditions.
- Former military members who completed at least one term of enlistment or period of initial obligated service in the Selected Reserve and departed under honorable conditions.
Other Resources
Check out these resources for more information about honoring veterans and military funerals:
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Click on Veteran Services and look under the Burials & Memorials heading.
- Veterans' Funeral and Burial Benefits. Useful information from the Funeral Consumers Alliance.