Military Funeral Honors 101
Under federal law, specifically, 10 U.S. Code § 1491 – Funeral honors functions at funerals for veterans – surviving family members and/or friends of eligible deceased veterans can request active military members perform military funeral honors. “The Secretary of Defense shall ensure that, upon request, a funeral honors detail is provided for the funeral of any veteran, except when military honors are prohibited.”
The law further states, “The Secretary of each military department shall ensure that a funeral honors detail for the funeral of a veteran consists of two or more persons. At least two members of the funeral honors detail for a veteran’s funeral shall be members of the armed forces (other than members in a retired status). The remainder of the detail may consist of members of the armed forces (including members in a retired status), or members of veterans organizations.”
So, what this means to a member of the public is if they wish to have active-duty personnel conduct military funeral honors for a deceased veteran they must make a “request” for this service. They can either do this themselves, directly, or through the funeral director who is handling the funeral arrangements.
Therefore, the Veterans’ Service Office is providing the following contact information to the public so they know who to contact when trying to provide a deceased veteran with military honors from active military members. “A funeral honors detail shall, at a minimum, perform at the funeral a ceremony that includes the folding of a United States flag and presentation of the flag to the veteran’s family and the playing of Taps.”
Every veteran, who is eligible, deserves their final recognition by a grateful nation for their faithful service during a time of war and peace.
ARMY– (502) 624-6051 – Needs a 48-hour notice
MARINE CORPS– (866) 826-3628 – Needs a 7-day notice and must use their website to request an honor guard – https://www.hqmc.marines.mil
NAVY– (866) 203-7791- Needs a 48-hour advanced notice. https://www.cnic.navy.mil
AIRFORCE & SPACE FORCE– (937) 257-8964 – Needs a 48-hour notice. www.wrightpattfss.com
COAST GUARD– (216) 902-6269 or (314) 606-6792 – Needs a 48-hour notice