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Military Funeral Honors
"Honoring Those Who Served"
The Department of Defense (DOD) is responsible for providing military
funeral honors. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) National Cemetery
Administration cemetery staff assist with military funeral honors at VA
national cemeteries.
On January 1, 2000, the Department of Defense began the implementation plan
for providing military funeral honors for eligible veterans as enacted in
Section 578 of Public Law 106-65 of the National Defense Authorization Act
for FY 2000.
"Honoring Those Who Served" is the title of the DOD program for providing
dignified military funeral honors to veterans who have defended our Nation.
While military funeral honors are a long-standing tradition within the Armed
Forces, this DOD program is in response to the new law governing funeral
honors for eligible veterans.
Upon the family's request, the law requires that every eligible veteran
receive a military funeral honors ceremony to include folding and presenting
the United States burial flag and the playing of Taps. The law defines a
military funeral honors detail as consisting of two or more uniformed
military persons with at least one a member of the veteran's parent service
of the Armed Forces. The DOD program calls for funeral home directors to
request military funeral honors on behalf of the veterans' family. Veterans
organizations may assist in the provision of military funeral honors. When
military funeral honors at a national cemetery are desired, they are
arranged prior to the committal service by the funeral home.
Questions or comments concerning the DOD military funeral honors program may
be sent to the address listed below. A military funeral honors web site is
located at www.militaryfuneralhonors.osd.mil
Military Funeral Honors
9504 IH-35 North, Suite 320
San Antonio, TX 78233-6635
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