Veteran Services

Military Funeral Honors

We are privileged to help families arrange Military Funeral Honors (MFH) to recognize and celebrate the service of eligible veterans.

Mourners hold folded U.S. flags and flowers at a somber memorial service.

Ceremony Overview

The standard ceremony consists of the formal folding and presentation of the United States flag to the veteran's family, accompanied by the playing of Taps. The honor detail includes at least two uniformed members of the Armed Forces, with at least one representing the branch in which the veteran served.

  • Taps: Played by a live bugler or a high-quality audio recording.
  • Pallbearers: Honor teams can serve as pallbearers upon request by the family or veteran.
  • Honor Types: Rendered based on status and branch availability, including Full Military Honors, a 7-Person Detail, or a Standard Honors Team Detail.


Who Is Eligible?

  • Active-duty military members or members of the Selected Reserve.
  • Veterans who served on active duty and received a discharge under conditions other than dishonorable.
  • Veterans who completed at least one full enlistment term or initial obligated service in the Selected Reserve under conditions other than dishonorable.
  • Selected Reserve members discharged due to a disability incurred or aggravated in the line of duty.
  • Commissioned Officer Corps members of the Public Health Service (PHS) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).


Who Is Not Eligible?

  • Anyone separated under dishonorable conditions or whose service character bars veterans' benefits.
  • Individuals ordered to report for induction who were not actually inducted into military service.
  • Selected Reserve members discharged prior to completing one term of service for reasons unrelated to service-connected disability.
  • Anyone convicted of a federal or state capital crime sentenced to death or life imprisonment.

Establishing Eligibility

Service is verified using the veteran's DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) or any discharge record demonstrating service under conditions other than dishonorable.


If you do not have a copy of the DD Form 214, submit Standard Form 180 (SF-180) (downloadable at archives.gov) to:

National Personnel Records Center

Military Personnel Records

1 Archives Drive

St. Louis, MO 63138


NOAA & Public Health Service Records

  • NOAA: Eligibility is established using NOAA Form 56-16 (Report of Transfer or Discharge).
  • Contact: Chief, Officer Services Division (CPC1), NOAA Commissioned Personnel Center, 1315 East-West Highway, Room 12100, Silver Spring, MD 20910 | Phone: (301) 713-7715
  • Public Health Service: Eligibility is established using PHS Form 1867 (Statement of Service).
  • Contact: Privacy Act Coordinator, Division of Commissioned Personnel, 5600 Fishers Lane, Room 4-36, Rockville, MD 20857 | Phone: (240) 453-6041

VA Headstones, Markers, and Medallions


The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provides complimentary headstones, markers, or medallions to honor eligible veterans resting in any cemetery worldwide.


Options & Eligibility

  • Unmarked Graves: An eligible veteran receives a free VA headstone or marker, regardless of their date of death.
  • Graves with Existing Private Markers: Veterans who died on or after November 1, 1990, can receive a government headstone or marker even if a private marker exists. Veterans who served on or after April 6, 1917, are eligible for a VA medallion to attach to an existing private headstone.
  • Available Styles: Options include flat markers (granite, marble, or bronze), upright headstones (granite or marble), and bronze niche markers for columbaria. All selections must conform to the rules of the receiving cemetery.


Ordering and Placement Details

  • Veterans Cemeteries: For burials in national, state Veterans, or military post cemeteries, cemetery officials handle the order using inscription details provided by the next of kin.
  • Private Cemeteries: While the marker itself is completely free, families are responsible for making installation arrangements and covering any private cemetery setting fees.

Spouses and Dependents Spouses and dependent children are eligible for a VA-furnished headstone or marker only when buried in a national, state Veterans, or military base cemetery.

VA Burial Flags


The Department of Veterans Affairs provides a United States flag at no cost to honorably discharged veterans, draped over the casket or placed alongside the urn as a tribute to their service.


Eligibility Criteria A burial flag is furnished for veterans who meet any of the following service conditions:

  • Served during wartime.
  • Died on active duty after May 27, 1941.
  • Served after January 31, 1955.
  • Peacetime veterans discharged or released before June 27, 1950.
  • Qualifying members of the Selected Reserves.
  • Certain individuals who served in the organized military forces of the Commonwealth of the Philippines and died on or after April 25, 1951.


Recipients and Display Guidelines

  • Receiving the Flag: The flag is presented to the next-of-kin as a keepsake following the service. If no next-of-kin is available, a close friend may request it. Families may also donate the flag to a VA national cemetery’s "Avenue of Flags" to be flown on patriotic holidays.
  • Proper Display: Proper folding and display instructions (for both open and closed caskets) are provided with the application. Burial flags are made of cotton for ceremonial presentation and are not designed for outdoor weather display.
  • Replacement Policy: By law, the VA can only issue one flag per veteran. Lost, stolen, or damaged flags cannot be replaced by the VA, though local veterans' organizations can sometimes help families obtain a replacement.


How to Apply Our funeral directors will handle obtaining the burial flag on your family's behalf during service arrangements. If you prefer to apply independently, complete VA Form 27-2008 (Application for United States Flag for Burial Purposes), available through any U.S. Post Office or VA regional office. For direct assistance, call the VA toll-free at 1-800-827-1000.