page_title: Military funerals in the United States
section_title: Ceremony
hierarchical_section_title: Military funerals in the United States / Ceremony
caption_attribution_description: English: Members of the 86th Airlift Wing base honor guard conduct a flag-folding ceremony during the Ramstein Honor Guard Appreciation Day, September 11, 2009, at Ramstein Air Base, Germany.
context_page_description: A military funeral in the United States is a memorial or burial rite conducted by the United States Armed Forces for a Soldier, Marine, Sailor, Coast Guardsman, or Airman who died in battle, a veteran, or other prominent military figures or a president. A military funeral may feature guards of honor, the firing of volley shots as a salute, drumming and other military elements, with a flag draping over the coffin.
  In the United States, the United States Army Military District of Washington is responsible for providing military funerals. "Honoring Those Who Served" is the title of the program for instituting a dignified military funeral with full honors to the nation's veterans.
  As of January 1, 2000, Section 578 of Public Law 106-65 of the National Defense Authorization Act mandates that the United States Armed Forces shall provide the rendering of honors in a military funeral for any eligible veteran if requested by his or her family. As mandated by federal law, an honor guard detail for the burial of an eligible veteran shall consist of no fewer than two members of the Armed Forces.
context_section_description: In the United States, there are several types of military funerals such as those performed at Arlington National Cemetery, which include and omit certain components depending on the status of the deceased (active, retired, veteran, rank/occupation).
  Standard honor military funerals include the following:
  A military chaplain for family members.
  A casket draped in the flag of the United States and as a pall.
  A casket team serving as honor guards in a ceremonial role over the remains and as pallbearers.
  For funerals for an enlisted non-commissioned officer of E-9 and Officers, the casket is transported via a horse-drawn limbers and caissons. For all other funerals, the casket is transported using a hearse.
  Fighter jets in missing man formation by the United States Air Force may perform an aerial flyover.
  The formation of a rifle party consisting of an odd number of service members, between 3 and 7, will fire a three-volley salute (size varies according to the rank of the deceased).
  The sounding of Taps is performed by a lone bugler or an audio recording, at a distance 30 to 50 yards from the grave site while a "Final Salute" is given.  (In specific cases with the United States Military Academy, a muffled drum roll might accompany the bugler.)
  Full honor military funerals include all standard honors in addition to the following:
  For funerals of commanding officers of O-6 (Colonel/Captain) and above, a caparisoned, riderless horse, symbolizing a fallen leader, will follow the limbers and caissons.
  For funerals of general officers and flag officers of O-10 (four-star rank), a 17 gun salute is fired; O-9 (three-star rank), a 15 gun salute is fired; O-8 (two-star rank), a 13 gun salute is fired; O-7 (one-star rank), an 11 gun salute is fired.
  A military band and an escort platoon participate (size varies according to the rank of the deceased).
  Armed forces military funerals include all standard and full honors in addition to the following:
  Escort platoons from all five branches of the United States Armed Forces participate.
  These funerals are reserved for the President of the United States (as commander-in-chief), the Secretary of Defense, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and officers granted multiple-service command.
  For funerals of presidents, a 21 gun salute using artillery and battery pieces is fired (not to be confused with a three-volley salute), while all other high state officials receive 19 gun salutes.
  When a spouse or other dependent of a current or former member of the United States Armed Forces is buried, the military service in which the primary party served will provide a casket team and a chaplain. No other military honors will be rendered unless the spouse served in the military.
  The flag of the United States draped over the casket is meticulously folded thirteen times by a total of six honor guards, three on each side of the casket.  When the flag is completely folded, the stars point upwards, which remind Americans of their national motto, In God We Trust.  After the flag is completely folded and tucked in, it takes on the appearance of a tricorne hat, reminding Americans of the soldiers who served under General George Washington, and the sailors and Marines who served under Captain John Paul Jones, who were followed by their comrades and shipmates in the United States Armed Forces.
  An honor guard composed of one or more branches of the United States Armed Forces, presents the flag to the next of kin. The presenter, if possible a member of the same service as the deceased, will lean forward  while presenting the folded flag, with the straight edge of the flag facing the recipient.  The presenter then recites the following wording, which was standardized on April 20, 2012:
  On behalf of the President of the United States, the United States (Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard or Space Force ), and a grateful nation, please accept this flag as a symbol of our appreciation for your loved one's honorable and faithful service.
  Three spent shell-casings, each representing one of three volleys, 
caption: Members of the 86th Airlift Wing honor guard conduct a flag-folding ceremony at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, 2009.
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