The basic Military Funeral Honors (MFH) ceremony includes folding and presenting the United States flag to the veteran’s family and playing “Taps.” This ceremony is conducted by a funeral honors detail consisting of at least two Armed Forces members.
The type of Funeral Honors provided will depend on the veteran’s status. Available honors include Full Military Honors, a 7-person Detail, or a Standard Honors Team Detail.
At least one member of the honors detail will be from the branch of the Armed Forces in which the deceased veteran served. “Taps” can be played by a bugler or, if a bugler is unavailable, by a high-quality recorded version. Military Funeral Honor Teams can also serve as pallbearers if requested by the veteran’s family.
Eligibility for Military Funeral Honors
Eligible Individuals:
- Active duty military members or those in the Selected Reserve.
- Former military members who served on active duty and were discharged under conditions other than dishonorable.
- Former military members who completed at least one term of enlistment or initial obligated service in the Selected Reserve and were discharged 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.
Ineligible Individuals:
- Those separated from the Armed Forces under dishonorable conditions or with a service character that bars them from veterans’ benefits.
- Individuals ordered to report for induction but not actually inducted into military service.
- Those discharged from the Selected Reserve before completing one term of enlistment or obligated service for reasons other than a duty-related disability.
How to Establish Veteran Eligibility
The preferred document for verifying veteran status is the DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty. If this form is not available, any discharge document indicating other than dishonorable service may be used. To obtain a DD Form 214, complete Standard Form 180 and send it to:
National Personnel Records Center (NPRC)
9700 Page Blvd.
St. Louis, MO 63132
Eligibility for Funeral Honors for Other Uniformed Services
Public Health Service (PHS) and NOAA:
- Members of the Commissioned Officer Corps of the Public Health Service (PHS) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) are also eligible for funeral honors.
For NOAA personnel, eligibility is confirmed using NOAA Form 56-16, Report of Transfer or Discharge. If the family does not have a copy, it can be obtained by contacting:
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
For PHS personnel, eligibility is established using PHS Form 1867, Statement of Service (similar to the DD Form 214). If the family does not have this form, it can be obtained by contacting:
**Division of Commissioned Personnel/HRS/PSC**
Attention: Privacy Act Coordinator
5600 Fishers Lane, 4-36
Rockville, MD 20857
Phone: (240) 453-6041