NDW Funeral Honors

Military Funeral Honors consists of two or more members of the armed service, one from the parent service, playing Taps, folding and presenting the American flag to the veteran’s family.
To request Funeral Honors, please complete a Funeral Honors Request Form and submit it along with a legible copy of a DD-214 or proof of honorable service to the associated office location listed below.
Please allow 48 hours advance notice to process requests. Contact the associated office directly if the request is within 24 hours or after normal business hours.
Requests must be sent via e-mail.
Burial flags must be provided by the requester. Please provide the burial flag. It is FREE OF CHARGE, and can be picked up at most post offices. Call and confirm with the post office in advance. You will need to take a copy of the discharge document, a copy of the death certificate, and the Application for United States Flag for Burial Purposes.
Visit our Helpful Links page for information on requesting veteran records and burial flags.
Provide the actual time of the ceremony. The Funeral Honors Team will arrive 45 minutes before that time. Email back with further information if needed about any changes.
Funeral Honors will only be rendered once per eligible veteran.

How do I establish veteran eligibility?

The preferred method is to provide the member's DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty. If the DD Form 214 is not available, any discharge document showing honorable service can be used. The DD Form 214 and records of service may be obtained through the National Archives at http://www.archives.gov/veterans or 314-801-0800. Burial records many also be requested by faxing the NPRC records request form to 314-801-0764.

Eligibility Criteria

Who is eligible for Military Funeral Honors?

Military members who died while on active duty or in the Selected Reserve
Former military members who served on active duty or in the Selected Reserve and were discharged under other than dishonorable conditions
Former military members who completed at least one term of enlistment or period of initial obligated service in the Selected Reserve and were discharged under other than dishonorable conditions
Military Records Request for Burial Benefits

Military Record Request

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 capital crime and whose conviction is final (other than a person whose sentence was commuted by the President)
Any person who has been convicted of a State capital crime and whose conviction is final (other than a person whose sentence was commuted by the Governor of a State)
Any person who
1. is found to have committed a Federal capital crime or a State capital crime, as set forth in section 2411(c) of title 38, but,
2. has not been convicted of such crime by reason of such person not being available for trial due to death or flight to avoid prosecution