Planning a funeral involves time, money, and focus, in addition to the mourning and healing. The best way to alleviate some of the stress is to work with local and compassionate funeral home staff, especially if you’re planning memorial services. Military funerals are organized to honor those who have served, and they differ from a normal funeral in a few key ways.

What’s Involved in Military Funeral Honors?

Funeral Planning

It is mandated by federal law that all veterans be entitled to military funeral honors upon request from a family member of the deceased. The family member will then have to select a local funeral home, and the director will work with military personnel to coordinate and arrange the service. 

Honors Service 

The honor ceremony consists of at least two uniformed military officers folding and presenting the American Flag and the playing of taps. A bugler will attend the ceremony to play taps, but if one isn’t available, an audio recording will be used. At least one of the uniformed officers will be from the deceased veteran’s parent military service, and the officer presenting the flag is usually ranked at least the same grade of the deceased. Family members of the deceased receive the flag as a keepsake. Your funeral home will work to obtain the flag for the ceremony.

Burials

The Department of Veterans Affairs provides a headstone or marker to eligible veterans upon request at no charge. Eligible veterans are authorized for burial in any national or state veterans cemetery with no cost to the family.

If you’re looking for a locally owned funeral home that has extensive experience in memorial services and military funerals, reach out to Bach-Yager Funeral Chapel in Columbia, MO. The kind and compassionate staff will walk you through every step of the process, and they’ll lay out all possible burial and cremation options. Check out their website or call (573) 441-2932.