The fundamental Military Funeral Honors (MFH) ceremony encompasses the meticulous folding and presentation of the United States flag to the family of the veteran, accompanied by the somber rendition of Taps. This solemn ritual is conducted by a funeral honors team comprising a minimum of two members of the Armed Forces.
The extent of the Funeral Honors bestowed upon you or your beloved veteran will be contingent upon the veteran's status. These Funeral Honors can take the form of Full Military Honors, a 7-Person Detail, or a Standard Honors Team Detail.
It is imperative that at least one member of the funeral honors detail hails from the branch of the Armed Forces in which the deceased veteran dutifully served. The haunting melody of Taps may be performed either by a live bugler or, in the absence of one, by employing a high-quality recorded rendition. Additionally, Military Funeral Honor Teams are available to serve as Pall Bearers upon request from the veteran or their family.
The preferred method is the DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty. If the DD Form 214 is not available, any discharge document showing other than dishonorable service can be used. The DD Form 214 may be obtained by filling out a Standard Form 180 and sending it to:
National Personnel Records Center(NPRC)
9700 Page Blvd.
St. Louis, MO 63132
The Standard Form 180 may be obtained from the National Records Center or via the following web site: http://www.archives.gov/research/order/standard-form-180.pdf
Yes. Members of the Commissioned Officer Corps of the Public Health Service (PHS) and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), as members of a Uniformed Service, are also eligible to receive funeral honors.
Eligibility is established using NOAA Form 56-16, Report of Transfer or Discharge. If the family does not have a copy of the NOAA Form 56-16, it may by obtained by contacting the Chief, Officer Services Division, NOAA Commissioned Personnel Center at (301) 713-7715. or by writing:
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Commissioned Personnel Center
Chief, Officer Services Division (CPC1)
1315 East-West Highway, Room 12100
Silver Spring, Maryland 20910
Funeral honors eligibility is established using PHS Form 1867, Statement of Service (equivalent to the DD Form 214). If the family does not have a copy of the Statement of Service, it may be obtained by contacting the Privacy Coordinator for the Commissioned Corps at (240) 453-6041 or writing:
Division of Commissioned Personnel/HRS/PSC
Attention: Privacy Act Coordinator
5600 Fishers Lane
4-36
Rockville, Maryland 20857