Honoring Veterans
We would be honored to help you make arrangements for any combination of traditional military tributes.
Standard Honor Military Funerals
Traditional elements and honors can include the following:
- A military chaplain for family members
- A flag presentation service by the chaplain of the American Legion
- A final salute at the gravesite
Full Honor Military Funerals
Full elements and honors includes standard honors and the following:
- Depending on their rank, a three-volley salute
- The U.S. flag draped over the casket and given to the next of kin following the service
- The playing of Taps
Other Veteran Benefits
We can help you communicate with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to arrange for:
- A Presidential Memorial Certificate. This is a certificate expressing the nation's recognition of the veteran's service. The veteran's name is inscribed and the certificate bears the signature of the President. Certificates are issued in the name of deceased honorably discharged veterans. Contact us for assistance in applying for a Presidential Memorial Certificate, and we would be happy to guide you through the process.
- Headstones or markers. The VA provides headstones and markers for the graves of veterans anywhere in the world and for eligible dependents of veterans buried in national, state, or military cemeteries.
- Memorial plots. If an eligible veteran's remains are not available for burial, the VA will provide a plot and headstone or marker in a national cemetery for memorialization. If you wish to place the memorial in a cemetery other than a national cemetery, the VA will provide the headstone or marker but not the plot itself.
- Burial in a VA National Cemetery. This includes the gravesite, opening and closing of the grave, a grave box, and perpetual care.
- Reimbursement of burial expenses. For information on eligibility and the different levels of potential reimbursement, please review their Guide to VA Burial Allowances.
Additional Resources
For more information about military funerals, please visit the following links:
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs — Click on the Burials & Memorials heading.
- Veterans' Funeral and Burial Benefits — Helpful information from Funeral Consumers Alliance.
- Honoring Those Who Served — An explanation of the various types of honors available for military funerals.
One of our Funeral Director's Story
Major Family Funeral Home will fill out all the veteran's forms for flag and arranging the services and reimbursements, pensions.