Upon the family’s request, Public Law 106-65 requires that every eligible Veteran receive Military Funeral Honors, to include, at a minimum:
- 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 being a member of the Veteran’s parent service of the armed forces.
Who is eligible to receive honors?
Any person (Active, Reserve, or, National Guard) who has completed at least one enlistment or other (officer) obligated military service and received a discharge under “honorable conditions” is eligible for Military Funeral Honors.
Military Funeral Honors will NOT be provided for individuals who have at any time been discharged or released from military service under any of the following circumstances:
- A dishonorable discharge,
- A bad conduct discharge,
- A dismissal from the Service adjudged by court-martial,
- An under other-than-honorable conditions discharge or separation,
- An officer resignation or retirement for the good of the Service in lieu of court-martial, which results in a discharge characterization of under other than honorable conditions, or
- A clemency discharge.
- Example: Vietnam-era draft evaders or deserters given clemency by President Ford.
How do I establish veteran eligibility?
 | The preferred method is the DD Form 214: Certificate of Release of Discharge from Active Duty. If the DD Form 214 is not available, any discharge document showing other than dishonorable service can be used. Obtain the DD Form 214 or other documents from: https://www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records |
May a veteran receive Funeral Honors more than once?
No. Pursuant to Section 1491 of Title 10, United States Code (U.S.C.), Military Funeral Honors will only be rendered one time for each eligible beneficiary.
What about additional elements to the Honors ceremony?
The Military Services are authorized to provide elements of honors such as firing parties and pallbearers in addition to those deemed mandatory as described above. Additional elements are not mandatory; however, may be provided as availability permits. Veterans Service Organizations (VSO’s) may assist in providing military funeral honors.
How do I request Honors?
- Family members of the deceased veteran should notify the Funeral Director of their desire to have Military Funeral Honors rendered at the interment of their loved one.
- DoD policy calls for funeral directors, rather than next-of-kin, to contact the military.
- A toll-free number, (877) 645-4667, has been set up for funeral directors.
- Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) National Cemetery Administration cemetery staff can also assist with arranging Military Funeral Honors at VA national cemeteries.
- VA National Cemeteries in Colorado:
- Pikes Peak National Cemetery, Colorado Springs: (719) 391-6920
- Fort Lyon National Cemetery, Las Animas: (719) 391-6920
- Fort Logan National Cemetery, Denver: (303) 761-0117
- VA Grant-Funded Veterans Cemeteries in Colorado:
- Veterans Memorial Cemetery of Western Colorado, Grand Junction: (970) 263-8986
What about burial flags, grave markers or other information?
For more information, the American Legion has published the pamphlet: What To Do Before a Veteran Dies.
