A Final Salute: Funeral Arrangements to Honor Veterans

By: VGFS
Saturday, November 3, 2018

Our military veterans have made tremendous sacrifices for our country and deserve to be honored, especially during their funeral services. A military service offers an important way to pay respects to these heroic service members, as well as their families.

At Vaughn Greene Funeral Services, we work closely with military families to develop memorial services that truly celebrate the life and service of their loved one, whether that means a full honors ceremony or an intimate family gathering.

What does a military funeral service include? Mandated by law and free of charge, the basic military funeral honors ceremony consists of the folding and presenting of the United States flag to the veteran's family and the playing of “Taps”. The ceremony is performed by a funeral honors detail consisting of two or more members of the Armed Forces, at least one of which is from the military branch in which the deceased veteran served. Military funeral honor teams may also act as pall bearers upon request of the veteran’s family. Various levels of funeral honors exist, depending on the rank of the veteran. These include: Full Military Honors, Seven Person Detail, or a Standard Honors Team Detail. Our experienced funeral directors assist with making these arrangements on behalf of the veteran’s family.

Who’s eligible for military funeral honors? Veterans from all military branches qualify, regardless of rank, and regardless of whether they served in active duty, Reserve duty, or National Guard duty. This includes:

  • Military members on active duty or in the Selected Reserve
  • Former military members who served on active duty and departed under conditions other than dishonorable
  • Former military members who completed at least one term of enlistment or period of initial obligated service in the Selected Reserve and departed under conditions other than dishonorable
  • Former military members discharged from the Selected Reserve due to a disability incurred or aggravated in the line of duty

In addition to military funeral honors, deceased U.S. Veterans are entitled to a number of other benefits:

  • A flag is provided, at no cost, to drape over the casket or to place alongside the urn. The flag is given to the next of kin following the service.
  • Headstone markers or medallions can be obtained from the Department of Veterans Affairs at no cost. 
  • Families may request the Presidential Memorial Certificate, signed by the current Commander in Chief. 
  • Military services can take place in private locations, such as cemeteries and churches, or in veteran cemeteries.

While additional military funeral honors exist, they cannot be guaranteed due to limitations on available personnel and resources. These additional honors may include:

  • A rifle detail
  • A flag-bearing color guard
  • Service-connected pallbearers
  • A caisson (horse-drawn wagon) to carry the deceased
  • A flyover by military aircraft

It’s important to note that these additional military funeral honors are subject to the availability of personnel and resources. While families may request these services for the committal of their loved ones, there’s no guarantee that the funeral provider, cemetery or federal government can provide them.

The brave men and women who put their lives on the line to defend our freedoms deserve the thanks of a grateful nation. We're proud to do our part in honoring our nation’s veterans, and in giving back to those who have sacrificed so much to serve our country. We are dedicated to providing you and your family with professional, dignified assistance during your time of need, and to support you in honoring your loved one. It would be our privilege to help you with the arrangements for your loved one’s traditional military tribute. Please reach out to us anytime.

About Vaughn Greene Funeral Services: For more than 20 years, Vaughn Greene Funeral Services has been providing a ministry of care to Baltimore’s African American community. As a leading local, minority- and family-owned provider, we promise to provide our highest level of service and respect to families who entrust us to honor their loved one. For more information, please call us at 410.655.0015 or visit us online at https://vaughncgreene.com/.

 

Leave a comment
Name*:
Email:
Comment*:
Please enter the numbers and letters you see in the image. Note that the case of the letters entered matters.

Comments

Please wait

Previous Posts

Saying Goodbye: Six Things to Know and Do When a Loved One is Passing Away

Saying goodbye to a loved one passing away is undeniably hard, but your reassurance can help you both find peace. While final farewells are never easy, there are things you can do to ease the pain...

What Should You Do with Your Departed Loved One's Belongings?

When you are bereaved, sorting through your loved one’s belongings can be especially challenging. Losing a beloved family member or friend is one of life’s most difficult trials. There are many de...

Mental Health Stigma in the Black Community, How Far Have We Come?

The US Department of Health & Human Services reports that African American adults are 20 percent more likely to report serious mental health distress than their white adult counterparts. Wit...

It’s Stroke Awareness Month. Here are Seven Important Facts Everyone Should Know.

May is National Stroke Awareness Month, so it’s the perfect time to learn about this leading cause of death and disability in America. Strokes or brain attacks are quite common, affecting an estim...

Can’t Sleep at Night? Here are Seven Surprising Reasons Why

When you can’t sleep, everything feels like a struggle. If your slumber is lacking, the reasons behind it might surprise you. Sleep deprivation can cause a range of problems, ranging from mild irr...

Senior Home Safety: Seven Essential Things to Know

Today, one in six Americans is age 65 or older. By the year 2050, the U.S. senior population is expected to rise from 48 million to an astonishing 88 million. Worldwide, those aged 80 and above are...

Seasonal Depression, also known as Winter Blues: Is it Just Depression?

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a form of depression also known as seasonal depression or winter depression.   People with SAD experience mood changes and symptoms similar to depressi...

Six Inspiring Outdoor Memorial Ideas to Honor Your Departed Loved One

From simple stones to elaborate gardens, there is no shortage of meaningful outdoor memorial ideas to pay tribute to a loved one who has passed on. When you’re deeply grieved, finding a unique way...

How Much Do You Know About Multiple Sclerosis? Seven Important Facts About this Neurological Disease

March is Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Month. Learn about the neurological disease that affects one person every hour in the U.S. A neurological disease that disrupts the flow of information betwee...

Legally Scattering Ashes: Keep These Six Important Facts in Mind

Legally scattering ashes isn’t complicated but it does require some research and planning. The scattering of a loved one’s ashes can bring peace and closure to surviving family members. For many, ...