Military Funeral Honors:

Every veteran deserves to be honored with the dignity and gratitude their service has earned. The Military Funeral Honors (MFH) ceremony is a deeply meaningful tribute, expressing the nation’s lasting appreciation for those who have worn its uniform.

This touching ceremony includes the careful folding and presentation of the United States flag to the veteran’s family and the playing of “Taps,” a timeless symbol of love, respect, and farewell.

Each service is conducted by a dedicated honors detail of at least two members of the Armed Forces. Depending on the veteran’s service, honors may include Full Military Honors, a Seven-Person Detail, or a Standard Honors Team Detail.

At least one member of the team will represent the branch in which the veteran served, ensuring their final tribute reflects their proud service. “Taps” may be performed by a live bugler or played in a dignified recorded version when needed. If requested, the honors team may also serve as pallbearers—an enduring gesture of respect for a fellow service member.

Through this ceremony, we pause to say thank you—for a life of courage, service, and devotion to our country.

Who is eligible for Military Funeral Honors?

• Military members on active duty or in the Selected Reserve.
• Former military members who served on active duty and departed under conditions other than dishonorable.
• Former military members who completed at least one term of enlistment or period of initial obligated service in the Selected Reserve and departed under conditions other than dishonorable.
• Former military members discharged from the Selected Reserve due to a disability incurred or aggravated in the line of duty.

Who is not eligible for Military Funeral Honors?

• Any person separated from the Armed Forces under dishonorable conditions or whose character of service results in a bar to veteran's benefits. 
• Any person who was ordered to report to an induction station, but was not actually inducted into military service. 
• Any person discharged from the Selected Reserve prior to completing one term of enlistment or period of initial obligated service for reasons other than a disability incurred or aggravated in the line of duty.
• Any person convicted of a Federal or State capital crime sentenced to death or life imprisonment.

How do I establish veteran eligibility?

The preferred method is the DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty.  If the DD Form 214 is not available, any discharge document showing other than dishonorable service can be used.  The DD Form 214 may be obtained by filling out a Standard Form 180 and sending it to:

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

The Standard Form 180 may be obtained from the National Records Center or via the following web site: http://www.archives.gov/research/order/standard-form-180.pdf

Is anyone else eligible to receive funeral honors?

Members of the Uniformed Services:

• Commissioned Officers of the Public Health Service (PHS)
• Commissioned Officers of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

These groups are considered uniformed services and may receive funeral honors, using official forms to verify service.