The Department of Defense (DOD) is responsible for providing military funeral honors. "Honoring Those Who Served" is the title of the DOD program for providing dignified military funeral honors to Veterans who have defended our nation.
So, in short, To arrange military funeral honors, contact your local funeral home. We recommend the following funeral service providers:
At the bottom of this page is an informational video, and a link to download the funeral coordinators directory guidebook.
Upon the family's request, Public Law 106-65 requires that every eligible Veteran receive a military funeral honors ceremony, to include folding and presenting the United States burial flag and the playing of Taps. The law defines a military funeral honors detail as consisting of two or more uniformed military persons, with at least one being a member of the Veteran's parent service of the armed forces. The DOD program calls for funeral home directors to request military funeral honors on behalf of the Veterans' family. However, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) National Cemetery Administration cemetery staff can also assist with arranging military funeral honors at VA national cemeteries. Veterans organizations may assist in providing military funeral honors. When military funeral honors at a national cemetery are desired, they are arranged prior to the committal service by the funeral home.
The Department of Defense began the implementation plan for providing military funeral honors for eligible Veterans as enacted in Section 578 of Public Law 106-65 of the National Defense Authorization Act for FY 2000 on Jan. 1, 2000.
Questions or comments concerning the DOD military funeral honors program may be sent to the address listed below. The military funeral honors Web site is located at this link.
If your funeral director does not know who to call, which would be in very rare circumstances, you can provide the list below to them. Do not call directly, it will not speed up the process.
Military Service Coordinators
Army:
Military Funeral Honors Team
tel:1-800-325-4986
U.S. Army Human Resources Command
The Adjutant General Of the United States Army
Casualty and Mortuary Affairs Operations Division
AHRC-PDC-P
1600 Spearhead Division Avenue
Fort Knox, KY 40122-5405
Marine Corps:
Military Funeral Honors Coordinator
tel:1-866-826-3628
Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps
Attn: MFPC (Funeral Honors)
2008 Elliot Road
Quantico, VA 22134
Navy:
Commander, Navy Installations Command
Military Funeral Honors Coordinators
tel:202-433-6892 (office)
tel:202-905-8344 (mobile)
Commander, Navy Installations Command
Casualty and Funeral Honors (N00K)
716 Sicard Street, SE, Suite 101
Washington Navy Yard, DC 20374-5140
Air Force:
Military Funeral Honors Coordinator
tel:1-800-531-5803
Air Force Military Funeral Honors
116 Purple Heart Drive
Dover AFB, DE 19902
Coast Guard:
Military Casualty Matters Coordinator
tel:202-795-6637 (office)
tel:202-372-8488/8323 (fax ATTN: Casualty Chief, PSC-PSD-FS)
tel:571-266-2375 (24/7 duty cell)
Online Casualty Resource, MFH & BAS Guidance:
http://www.uscg.mil/psc/psd/fs/Casualty.asp
COMMANDER CG PERSONNEL SERVICE CENTER PSC
ATTN: CASUALTY CHIEF, PSC-PSD-FS-CASUALTY
US COAST GUARD STOP 7200
2703 MARTIN LUTHER KING JR AVE SE
WASHINGTON DC 20593-7200
How to request VA Burial Assistance and Benefits
National Cemetery Scheduling Office: 800-535-1117
Headstones and markers: 800-697-6947
VA benefits hotline: 800-827-1000
MyVA411 main information line: 800-698-2411