Veterans overview

Veterans Overview

A man in a military uniform is holding an American flag in his hands.

Military Funeral Honors

Honoring a veteran’s service is a deeply meaningful part of the funeral experience. Military Funeral Honors (MFH) provide a dignified tribute that includes the folding and presentation of the United States flag and the playing of Taps. These honors are carried out by a funeral detail of at least two members of the Armed Forces, with at least one representing the veteran’s branch of service.

Depending on the veteran’s service history, the honors may include Full Military Honors, a 7-Person Detail, or a Standard Honors Team. When requested by the family, Military Honors Teams may also serve as pallbearers.

Taps will be performed by a live bugler when possible, or with a high-quality recording when a bugler is unavailable.

Eligibility for Military Funeral Honors

Military Funeral Honors are available to:

  • Active duty service members
  • Members of the Selected Reserve
  • Former service members who completed active duty under conditions other than dishonorable
  • Former Selected Reserve members who completed one full term of enlistment (or their initial obligated service) under conditions other than dishonorable
  • Former Selected Reserve members discharged due to a service-connected disability

Individuals Not Eligible for Honors

Military Funeral Honors cannot be provided for:

  • Individuals with a dishonorable discharge or whose service bars them from veteran’s benefits
  • Individuals ordered to report for induction but never inducted
  • Former Selected Reserve members who did not complete their first term of service for reasons unrelated to a line-of-duty disability
  • Individuals convicted of a federal or state capital crime and sentenced to death or life imprisonment

Establishing Veteran Eligibility

The preferred document to verify eligibility is the DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty). If this form is not available, any official document showing discharge under conditions other than dishonorable may be used.

If a DD-214 must be requested, families can complete a Standard Form 180 and mail it to:

National Personnel Records Center (NPRC)
9700 Page Blvd.
St. Louis, MO 63132

The form can also be downloaded at:
 http://www.archives.gov/research/order/standard-form-180.pdf

Additional Eligible Uniformed Services

Members of the Public Health Service (PHS) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) are also part of the nation’s Uniformed Services and may receive Military Funeral Honors.

NOAA Personnel

Eligibility is confirmed using NOAA Form 56-16. If a copy is needed, it can be requested from:

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Commissioned Personnel Center
Chief, Officer Services Division (CPC1)
1315 East-West Highway, Room 12100
Silver Spring, MD 20910
Phone: (301) 713-7715

Public Health Service (PHS) Personnel

Eligibility is confirmed using PHS Form 1867 (Statement of Service). Copies may be requested by contacting:

Division of Commissioned Personnel / HRS / PSC
Attention: Privacy Act Coordinator
5600 Fishers Lane, Room 4-36
Rockville, MD 20857
Phone: (240) 453-6041