If your loved one was an American veteran, pay tribute to their military service while remembering them with a special veteran’s memorial service. A funeral home will be happy to assist you with planning this, and military benefits can also help cover the costs. Consider these tips when planning your loved one’s services.

Memorial Service Ideas for Veterans

1. Arrange a Military Service

Any funeral home can coordinate with the United States Department of Veterans Affairs to arrange a military honors ceremony, provided your loved one was a United States veteran. A military color guard can serve as pallbearers, play “Taps,” and present the next of kin with an American flag. As a veteran, your loved one is also eligible for a free grave marker provided by the government.

2. Pay Tribute Through Photos & Testimonials

Collect photos from your loved one’s time in the military and create a slideshow or video to share during the funeral or memorial service. Ask your loved one’s military friends to speak of their memories of their time in service together and the courageous acts they remember.  

3. Honor Them With Donations

Many request donations to a charity in lieu of flowers for a lost loved one, and you can request donations to organizations that serve U.S. veterans, such as the Wounded Warrior Project or the USO (United Service Organizations). You can also set up a small scholarship fund for students enrolling in the military or a member of a local school’s NROTC Program (Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps). 

The caring staff at Jacqueline M. Ryan Home for Funerals has been helping families in Keansburg, NJ, plan funerals and memorial services since 1947. They can help you select a casket or urn, arrange for burial, and purchase remembrance products for your loved one. To learn more about their veteran’s memorial services, call (732) 787-1177 or visit them online today.