Veterans' Services

Veterans's Services Overview

The Military Funeral Honors (MFH) ceremony is a solemn event that involves presenting the United States flag to the veteran's family, folding it, and playing Taps. A funeral honors detail, composed of at least two Armed Forces members, carries out this ceremony.

The type of funeral honors given to a veteran depends on their status, which could be Full Military Honors, 7 Person Detail, or a Standard Honors Team Detail. At least one member of the funeral honors detail must come from the veteran's branch of service. If a bugler is not available, a quality recorded version of Taps may be played. Additionally, Military Funeral Honor Teams may serve as Pall Bearers if requested by the veteran or the family.

Who is eligible for Military Funeral Honors? This includes active-duty military personnel or members of the Selected Reserve, former military personnel who served on active duty and were honorably discharged, former military personnel who completed at least one term of enlistment or initial obligated service in the Selected Reserve and were honorably discharged, and former military personnel who were discharged from the Selected Reserve due to a disability incurred or aggravated in the line of duty.

To establish veteran eligibility, the best way is to verify it through the DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty. In the absence of the DD Form 214, any discharge document that reflects honorable service can suffice. If you need to obtain the DD Form 214, you can fill out the Standard Form 180 and send it to the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) at 9700 Page Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63132. You can download the Standard Form 180 from the National Records Center or via the following website: http://www.archives.gov/research/order/standard-form-180.pdf.

Finally, it's worth noting that members of the Commissioned Officer Corps of the Public Health Service (PHS) and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), as members of a Uniformed Service, are also eligible to receive funeral honors.

Veterans Headstones

The Department of Veterans Affairs provides a complimentary Government headstone or marker for the unmarked grave of any eligible veteran, worldwide, upon request. This service applies regardless of the date of death. For eligible veterans who passed away on or after November 1, 1990, VA may also provide a headstone or marker for graves that are already marked with a private headstone or marker. If the grave is already marked, applicants may choose between a traditional headstone or marker or a new device (available spring 2009).

Flat markers in granite, marble, and bronze, and upright headstones in granite and marble are available. The style chosen must be consistent with existing monuments at the place of burial. Niche markers are also available to mark columbaria used for inurnment of cremated remains.

If burial or memorialization takes place in a national cemetery, state veterans' cemetery, or military post/base cemetery, the cemetery officials will order a headstone or marker based on inscription information provided by the next of kin or authorized representative.

Spouses and dependents are not eligible for a Government-furnished headstone or marker unless they are buried in a national cemetery, state veteran's cemetery, or military post/base cemetery.

Please note that there is no charge for the headstone or marker itself; however, the applicant is responsible for arranging its placement in a private cemetery, and all setting fees are at private expense.

Burial Flags

A United States flag is provided, at no cost, to drape the casket or accompany the urn of a deceased veteran who served honorably in the U. S. Armed Forces. It is furnished to honor the memory of a veteran's military service to his or her country. VA will furnish a burial flag for memorialization for:

 - A veteran who served during wartime
 - A veteran who died on active duty after May 27, 1941
 - A veteran who served after January 31, 1955
 - A peacetime veteran who was discharged or released before June 27, 1950
 - Certain persons who served in the organized military forces of the  Commonwealth of the Philippines while in service of the U.S. Armed Forces and who died on or after April 25, 1951
 - Certain former members of the Selected Reserves

Who Is Eligible to Receive the Burial Flag?
Generally, the flag is given to the next-of-kin, as a keepsake, after its use during the funeral service. When there is no next-of-kin, VA will furnish the flag to a friend making request for it. For those VA national cemeteries with an Avenue of Flags, families of veterans buried in these national cemeteries may donate the burial flags of their loved ones to be flown on patriotic holidays.


How Can You Apply?
You may apply for the flag by completing VA Form 27-2008, Application for United States Flag for Burial Purposes. You may get a flag at any VA regional office or U.S. Post Office. Generally, the funeral director will help you obtain the flag.

For More Info

1-800-827-1000