## Dod Directive 1300.30 Dod Support Of State, Official, Special Military, And First Lady Funerals

 Originating Component:
Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness Effective:
August 24, 2021
Change 1 Effective:
February 16, 2023 Releasability:
Cleared for public release.  Available on the Directives Division Website at https://www.esd.whs.mil/DD/. Approved by:
Kathleen H. Hicks, Deputy Secretary of Defense
Change 1 Approved by:
Kathleen H. Hicks, Deputy Secretary of Defense
 Purpose: This issuance establishes policy and assigns responsibilities for planning and conducting State, official, special military, and First Lady funerals.

## Table Of Contents


SECTION 1:  GENERAL ISSUANCE INFORMATION ........ 3
1.1.  Applicability. ........ 3 1.2.  Policy. ........ 3 1.3.  Summary of Change 1. ........ 5
SECTION 2:  RESPONSIBILITIES ........ 6
2.1.  Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness. ........ 6 2.2.  Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs. ........ 6 2.3.  ASD(HD&GS). ........ 6 2.4.  Secretaries of the Military Departments and the Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard. 6 2.5.  CJCS. ........ 7 2.6.  Chief of the National Guard Bureau. ........ 7
2.7.  Combatant Commanders with Geographic Areas of Responsibility Outside the
Continental United States (OCONUS). ........ 7
2.8.  Commander, USNORTHCOM. ........ 7 2.9.  Commander, USTRANSCOM. ........ 8 2.10.  Commander, JTF-NCR. ........ 8
SECTION 3:  DOD SUPPORT ........ 9
3.1.  State Funeral. ........ 9 3.2.  Official Funeral. ........ 9 3.3.  Special Military Funeral. ........ 10 3.4.  First Lady Funeral. ........ 10
GLOSSARY ........ 11
G.1.  Acronyms. ........ 11 G.2.  Definitions. ........ 11
REFERENCES ........ 15


## Section 1:  General Issuance Information 1.1.  Applicability.

This issuance:
a.  Applies to OSD, the Military Departments (including the Coast Guard at all times, including when it is a Service in the Department of Homeland Security by agreement with that Department), the Office of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (CJCS) and the Joint Staff, the Combatant Commands, the Office of Inspector General of the Department of Defense, the Defense Agencies, the DoD Field Activities, and all other organizational entities within the DoD (referred to collectively in this issuance as the "DoD Components").

b.  Does not apply to:

(1)  Military funeral honors as provided under DoD Instruction (DoDI) 1300.15. (2)  Congressional funerals as provided for in DoDI 4515.19.

## 1.2.  Policy.

The policy and guidance in this issuance supersede any policy and guidance promulgated by the DoD Components that do not conform with this issuance; such guidance is updated in accordance with this issuance.

a.  Support for State, official, special military, and First Lady funerals (referred to collectively in this issuance as "covered funerals") is provided at the request and direction of the President of the United States, and is authorized only for:

(1)  State funerals:
(a)  The serving President of the United States. (b)  A former President of the United States. (c)  The President-elect of the United States.
(d)  Any other person specifically designated by the President of the United States.
(2)  Official funerals:
(a)  The serving Vice President of the United States.
(b)  The serving Chief Justice of the United States.
(c)  Serving U.S. Cabinet members.
(d)  The serving Secretary of Defense. (e)  The serving CJCS and Vice CJCS.
(3)  Special military funerals:
(a)  Former Vice President of the United States.
(b)  Former Secretary of Defense.
(c)  Former CJCS and Vice CJCS.
(4)  First Lady funerals:
(a)  The spouse of the President of the United States.
(b)  The spouse of a former President of the United States, if they were married during the former President's time in office.

(c)  The former spouse or former remarried spouse of a former President of the United States, if they were married during the former President's time in office.

(d)  The remarried widow or widower of the former President of the United States, if they were married during the former President's time in office.

b.  Eligibility for support in accordance with this issuance does not, in and of itself, entitle the deceased to burial in Arlington National Cemetery or any other national or military cemetery.

c.  The President of the United States, or the Secretary of Defense, as appropriate, is the approval authority for military support requests for funerals without classification.

(1)  Requests for such support are rarely granted and may be considered only for those persons who made significant contributions that directly, substantially, and positively benefited the U.S. military and where the provision of support will reflect favorably upon the DoD and the Military Services.

(2)  Requests may be considered only after the individual's death.

d.  The next of kin of an authorized individual may choose to decline or downgrade any element of the authorized support.

e.  Participation in, and attendance at, State funerals, including by the Secretary of Defense, other Cabinet officers, and other political appointees, is at the discretion of the President of the United States and at the discretion and wishes of the deceased and the deceased's next of kin.

f.  The draping of the casket with the national flag, and subsequent folding and presentation of that flag at interment, is authorized for those being honored by a State, official, or special military funeral.

g.  The Special Honor Guard only participates in State funeral ceremonies in the National Capital Region (NCR).

h.  Any request for military support for an authorized individual for a covered funeral that exceeds support specified in this issuance or DoDI 1300.15 requires approval by the Secretary of Defense.

## 1.3.  Summary Of Change 1.

This change:
a.  Amends policy to clarify that any request for military support exceeding that which is specified in this issuance or DoDI 1300.15 requires approval by the Secretary of Defense.

b.  Expands military support for official and special military funerals by authorizing military instrumental and vocal musical support.

c.  Administratively updates references and terminology for currency and accuracy.

## Section 2:  Responsibilities 2.1.  Under Secretary Of Defense For Personnel And Readiness.

The Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness establishes policy for DoD support to covered funerals.

## 2.2.  Assistant To The Secretary Of Defense For Public Affairs.

The Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs:
a.  Coordinates with the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Homeland Defense and Global Security (ASD(HD&GS)) and the Commander, United States Northern Command (USNORTHCOM) to ensure that information relating to DoD support of covered funerals receives appropriate distribution using all approved media.

b.  Responds to special requests for information from other agencies and the general public regarding covered funeral support.

c.  Advises the Secretary of Defense on potential public perception and precedence when military support not authorized in this issuance, or not in accordance with flyover policy outlined in Volume 4 of DoDI 5410.19, is requested.

## 2.3.  Asd(Hd&Gs).

Under the authority, direction, and control of the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy, the ASD(HD&GS):
a.  Coordinates DoD defense support of civil authorities for covered funerals in accordance with DoDI 3025.20.

b.  Participates as a member of the National Special Security Event Executive Steering Committee, established by the United States Secret Service pursuant to Public Law 106-544, for State funerals and manages National Special Security Event subcommittee participation by all DoD entities.

## 2.4.  Secretaries Of The Military Departments And The Commandant Of The U.S. Coast Guard.

The Secretaries of the Military Departments and the Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard:
a.  Provide military ceremonial and supporting units and additional requested capabilities to support planning, preparing, training, and conducting covered funeral ceremonies and services in the NCR, throughout the United States, and worldwide.

b.  Designate a Servicelevel proponent to assist the Commander, USNORTHCOM in planning, coordinating, and carrying out covered funeral operations.

c.  Coordinates with the Commander, USNORTHCOM regarding use of military musical and ceremonial units to support covered funerals.

## 2.5.  Cjcs.

The CJCS prepares orders to support covered funerals, as required.

## 2.6.  Chief Of The National Guard Bureau.

The Chief of the National Guard Bureau:
a.  Coordinates with the appropriate States, territories, and the District of Columbia, as required, to identify military ceremonial and supporting units and additional requested capabilities in support of planning, preparing, training, and conducting covered funeral arrangements and services.

b.  Facilitates processing in accordance with Section 502 of Title 32, United States Code and other authorities, as appropriate, for funding National Guard personnel to support covered funerals.

c.  Designates a bureau-level point of contact to assist the Commander, USNORTHCOM in planning, coordinating, and executing covered funeral operations.

## 2.7.  Combatant Commanders With Geographic Areas Of Responsibility Outside The Continental United States (Oconus).

The Combatant Commanders with OCONUS geographic areas of responsibility:
a.  Coordinate with the Joint Task Force-National Capital Region (JTF-NCR), White House Military Office (WHMO), United States Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM), and U.S.

Department of State to facilitate the rapid return of remains to the continental United States in the event of an OCONUS death of an individual authorized a covered funeral.

b.  When authorized by the Secretary of Defense, support the Commander, USNORTHCOM
in planning, coordinating, and conducting covered funerals.

## 2.8.  Commander, Usnorthcom.

In addition to the responsibilities in Paragraph 2.7., the Commander, USNORTHCOM:
a.  Is the supported Combatant Commander for planning, coordinating, and conducting covered funeral support.

b.  Establishes appropriate funeral plans on covered funerals reflecting this issuance's policy and guidance.

c.  Annually identifies and requests ceremonial and support forces necessary to conduct covered funerals to ensure that necessary capabilities are available to support these short-notice missions.

d.  Provides annual updates on the status of State funeral planning to the Secretary of Defense and the CJCS.  Within 48 hours of the death of an individual authorized to receive support in accordance with this issuance, provides a concept of operations to the Secretary of Defense and the CJCS, including their requested personal participation, as required.

## 2.9.  Commander, Ustranscom.

In addition to the responsibilities in Paragraph 2.7., the Commander, USTRANSCOM:
a.  Coordinates with the JTF-NCR, WHMO, and U.S. Department of State to facilitate the rapid return of remains to the continental United States in the event of an OCONUS death of an individual authorized a covered funeral.

b.  Provides short-notice operational airlift as directed by the WHMO for State, official, and First Lady funerals or the Secretary of Defense for special military funerals.

## 2.10.  Commander, Jtf-Ncr.

The Commander, JTF-NCR:
a.  Is the military escort for the next of kin of the deceased person authorized a covered funeral.

b.  Funds the national funeral service for State funerals.

## Section 3:  Dod Support 3.1.  State Funeral.

a.  A State funeral includes:
(1)  Returning remains to the deceased's place of residence.

(2)  Support in demise joint operations area (JOA), including a funeral service, repose, and an airlift to NCR for remains and immediate family and staff.

(3)  Support in NCR JOA, including arrival, repose, the main funeral procession, lying in state, a national funeral service, and an airlift to interment JOA for remains and immediate family and staff.

(4)  Support in interment JOA, including the funeral service, repose, and final disposition.

b.  Support at each venue is limited to military musical organizations, a joint honor cordon, joint body bearers, the national color team, a personal color bearer, a military chaplain, the joint guard of honor during periods of lying in state and lying in repose, and a salute battery where appropriate.

c.  A flyover of 21 like aircraft from the same Military Service is authorized over the main funeral procession.  If the next of kin choose to forgo the main funeral procession, the flyover will be provided at interment, inurnment, or burial at sea.

d.  A cannon salute, firing party, and bugler are authorized at interment or inurnment. e.  A motorcade and ground transportation support for the next of kin and funeral participants is provided throughout.

## 3.2.  Official Funeral.

a.  An official funeral includes:
(1)  An airlift to the NCR for remains and the deceased's immediate family and staff.
(2)  Support in NCR JOA, including arrival, public repose (usually not in the U.S. Capitol unless authorized by Congress), a funeral service, and an airlift to interment JOA for remains and immediate family and staff.

(3)  Support in the interment JOA, including a funeral service and final disposition with military honors.

b.  Support at each venue is limited to joint body bearers, the national color team, a personal color bearer, a joint honor cordon, a military band, joint guard of honor during periods of lying in state or lying in repose, and a military chaplain.  Military instrumental and vocal musical support are authorized for:

(1)  A funeral service in the NCR.
(2)  The service at the beginning of a period of lying in state or lying in repose.
c.  A cannon salute, firing party, and bugler are authorized at interment or inurnment.
d.  A flyover of four similar aircraft from the same Military Service at interment, inurnment, or burial at sea is authorized only if the deceased was a rated aviator and then only at the discretion of the Secretary of the Military Department of the deceased.

e.  If the deceased is authorized a burial in Arlington National Cemetery, and the next of kin agrees, the procession within the cemetery includes a military band, a marching company from each of the six Military Services, a caisson, a caparisoned horse, the national color team, a personal color bearer, and a military chaplain.

## 3.3.  Special Military Funeral.

a.  A special military funeral includes support for the funeral service (usually in the interment JOA but alternatively in the NCR) and final disposition.  Support at each venue is limited to joint body bearers, the national color team, a personal color bearer, and a military chaplain.  Military instrumental and vocal musical support is authorized for a funeral service in the NCR.

b.  A firing party and bugler are authorized at interment or inurnment, as is a cannon salute, depending on regional availability of the salute battery.

c.  A flyover of four similar aircraft from the same Military Service at interment, inurnment, or burial at sea is authorized only if the deceased was a rated aviator and then only at the discretion of the Secretary of the Military Department of the deceased.

d.  If the deceased is authorized a burial in Arlington National Cemetery, and the next of kin agrees, the procession within the cemetery includes a military band, a marching platoon from each of the six Military Services, a caisson, a caparisoned horse, national color team, a personal color bearer, and a military chaplain.

## 3.4.  First Lady Funeral.

a.  A First Lady funeral includes:
(1)  Support in demise JOA, including a funeral service, public repose, and an airlift to
interment JOA for remains and immediate family and staff.
(2)  Support in interment JOA, including a funeral service, public repose, and final disposition.

b.  Authorized support at each venue is limited to joint- or single-Service body bearers for all movements.

## Glossary G.1.  Acronyms.

ACRONYM
MEANING
ASD(HD&GS)
Assistant Secretary of Defense for Homeland Defense and Global Security
CJCS
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
DoDI
DoD instruction
JOA
joint operations area
JTF-NCR
Joint Task Force-National Capital Region
NCR
National Capital Region
OCONUS
outside the continental United States
USNORTHCOM
United States Northern Command
USTRANSCOM
United States Transportation Command
WHMO
White House Military Office

## G.2.  Definitions.

These terms and their definitions are for the purpose of this issuance.

TERM
DEFINITION
caisson
A horse-drawn artillery wagon and limber converted for use, normally during the main funeral procession.  The caisson consists of six horses of the same color, three riders, and a section chief mounted on a separate horse.
cannon salute
An artillery salute fired in accordance with the rank of the authorized individual when artillery is available and only at interment or inurnment ceremonies or at airfields during a state funeral.
TERM
DEFINITION
caparisoned horse
A fully harnessed riderless horse that follows the caisson carrying the casket of any Army or Marine Corps officer in the rank of colonel or above, Presidents as the Commanders in Chief, and individuals authorized an official or special military funeral.  A pair of boots are reversed in the stirrups of the empty saddle to symbolize that the deceased will never ride again.
funeral
The sequence of ceremonies, services, lying in repose or state, airfield arrival and departure ceremonies, and honors at interment, inurnment, or burial at sea.
funeral participants
Clergy, civilian musical performers, eulogists, honorary pallbearers, and their spouses.
funerals without classification
Any funeral that the President of the United States or the Secretary of Defense designates to receive military support that is not otherwise authorized to receive such support by law, this issuance, DoDIs 1300.15 and 4515.19, or applicable Service policies.
interment JOA
The supported area of operations where final disposition of remains takes place (may be an interment, inurnment, or burial at sea).
joint
An element that includes members of all six Military Services.  An Army officer normally leads such elements.
joint body bearers
Trained Service members who, as a team, carry the casket during funeral ceremonies and fold the U.S. flag following the committal service.  A team consists of eight enlisted Service members and an officer in charge.

joint guard of honor
A special joint honor guard posted at the corners of the casket while the remains are lying in repose or state to display continuous respect to the deceased.  The members of the joint guard of honor are dressed in ceremonial uniform and are usually armed with rifles with fixed
bayonets.  The members of the joint guard of honor are unarmed if
posted in a consecrated space.
TERM
DEFINITION
joint honor cordon
Two ranks of joint ceremonial troops, facing each other, through which the remains are carried between the hearse and an aircraft or building.  The cordon present arms as the casket passes between the two ranks.  Each rank of the cordon is composed of representatives from each of the six Military Services positioned in protocol order. The number of personnel in a cordon normally equals the number of
guns to which the deceased was entitled.  The cordon is dressed in ceremonial uniforms and is normally armed with rifles with fixed bayonets.

lying in repose
Any public repose in a non-government building.
lying in state
Any public repose by an elected official in a principal government building (e.g., the U.S. Capitol, the White House, a State Capitol building).
main funeral procession
In a state funeral, the military escort and motorcade that proceed to or from the U.S. Capitol.  The military escort includes Active, Reserve,
and National Guard marching companies from each of the Military Services and the five Federal Service academies, military bands, caisson, caparisoned horse, National color team, personal color bearer, and a flyover by 21 like aircraft from the same Military Service.  An unarmed joint honor cordon lines the route of the main funeral procession.

national color team
A team of three enlisted Service members, one to carry the National color and two who are color guards.  The National color team is in ceremonial uniform and the color guards are armed with rifles.
national funeral
service
The official funeral service during a State funeral that is attended by
representatives of the Executive, Legislative, and Judicial branches; the diplomatic corps; foreign heads of state; and heads of government.
repose
The remains of the deceased lying at rest.

## Term Definition

Special Honor Guard The CJCS, Vice CJCS, Chief of Staff of the Army, Commandant of the Marine Corps, Chief of Naval Operations, Chief of Staff of the Air Force, Chief of Space Operations, Commandant of the Coast Guard, and Chief of the National Guard Bureau, who participate as the senior military representatives of their Military Service or component in State funeral ceremonies conducted in the NCR.  The Special Honor Guard is a custom and tradition made up strictly of the listed military representatives and does not include any civilian leadership or spouses.

## References

DoD Instruction 1300.15, "Military Funeral Support," December 27, 2017, as amended DoD Instruction 3025.20, "Defense Support of Special Events," April 6, 2012, as amended DoD Instruction 4515.19, "DoD Support for Congressional Funerals," March 14, 2022 DoD Instruction 5410.19, Volume 4, "Community Outreach Activities: Ceremonial, Musical, and Aerial Event Support," September 29, 2021
Public Law 106-544, "Presidential Threat Protection Act of 2000," December 19, 2000
United States Code, Title 32, Section 502