What is Military Funeral Honors?

Military Funeral Honors is a way to demonstrate this Nation’s deep gratitude to those who, both in times of war and peace, have faithfully defended our country.

The core elements of a military funeral honors ceremony consists of the folding and presentation of the American Flag and the Playing of Taps. A firing volley by rifle may also be provided, if requested.As of January 1,, 2000, Section 578 of Public Law 106-65 of the National Defense Authorization Act mandates that the U.S. military must provide the rendering of U.S. military funeral honors for an eligible veteran if requested by the family. As provided by law, an honor guard detail for the burial of an eligible veteran shall consist of not less than two members of the Armed Forces. One member of the detail shall be a representative of the parent Service of the deceased veteran. The honor detail will, at a minimum, perform a ceremony that includes the folding and presenting of the American flag to the next of kin and the playing of Taps. Taps will be played by a bugler, if available, or by electronic recording. Today, there are so few buglers available that the Military Services often cannot provide one.

Military Funeral Honors are provided by the Department of Defense at no cost to the family. The Services requests at least 48 hours in order to organize the funeral honors detail. Families of eligible veterans request funeral honors through their funeral director. The funeral director will contact the appropriate Military Service to arrange for the funeral honors detail and will assist you in obtaining a flag. More information is available at: http://www.militaryfuneralhonors.osd.mil/index.html

Who is eligible for Military Funeral Honors?

- 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.Further clarification on eligibility is available in United States Code.

3-Volley Salute

The 3-volley salute is a ceremonial act performed at military and police funerals as part of the drill and ceremony of the Honor Guard. The custom originates from the European dynastic wars, where the fighting ceased for the dead and wounded to be removed, then three shots were fired into the air to signal that the battle could resume.

A rifle party usually has an odd number of members from 3 to 7. The firearm used is typically a rifle, but at some police funerals, shotguns or sidearms are used. The party usually stands so that the muzzles are pointed over the casket, or some distance away if the funeral attendees are too close to it. If the service is being performed indoors, the firing party stands outside the building, often near the front entrance.

On the command of the NCO-in-charge, the party fires their weapons three times in unison. Modern United States military parties use modified M1, M14 or M16 rifles manually cycling the weapon between shots.The M1 and M14 are generally preferred over the current issue M16 because the appearance of these older rifles is more traditional and the charging handles are more easily operated in a dignified, ceremonial manner.

The three-volley salute is not to be confused with the 21-gun salute (or 19-gun or 17-gun, etc) which uses a battery of artillery pieces.

TAPS

Of all the military bugle calls, none is so easily recognized or more apt to render emotion than Taps. Up to the Civil War, the traditional call at day’s end was a tune, borrowed from the French, called Lights Out. In July of 1862, in the aftermath of the bloody Seven Days battles, hard on the loss of 600 men and wounded himself, Union General Daniel Adams Butterfield called the brigade bugler to his tent. He thought “Lights Out” was too formal and he wished to honor his men. Oliver Wilcox Norton, the bugler, tells the story, “…showing me some notes on a staff written in pencil on the back of an envelope, (he) asked me to sound them on my bugle. I did this several times, playing the music as written. He changed it somewhat, lengthening some notes and shortening others, but retaining the melody as he first gave it to me. After getting it to his satisfaction, he directed me to sound that call for Taps thereafter in place of the regulation call. The music was beautiful on that still summer night and was heard far beyond the limits of our Brigade. The next day I was visited by several buglers from neighboring Brigades, asking for copies of the music which I gladly furnished. The call was gradually taken up through the Army of the Potomac.”
This more emotive and powerful Taps was soon adopted throughout the military. In 1874 it was officially recognized by the U.S. Army. It became standard at military funeral ceremonies in 1891. There is something singularly beautiful and appropriate in the music of this wonderful call. Its strains are melancholy, yet full of rest and peace. Its echoes linger in the heart long after its tones have ceased to vibrate in the air.

- from an article by Master Sergeant Jari A Villanueva, USAF.

WHY THE AMERICAN FLAG IS FOLDED 13 TIMES

Have you ever noticed at military funerals that the honor guard pays meticulous attention to correctly folding the American flag 13 times?

The first fold of our flag is a symbol of life.

The second fold is a symbol of our belief in eternal life.

The third fold is made in honor and remembrance of the veterans departing our ranks who gave a portion of their lives for the defense of our country to attain peace throughout the world.

The fourth fold represents our weaker nature, for as American citizens trusting in God, it is to Him we turn in times of peace as well as in time of war for His divine guidance.

The fifth fold is a tribute to our country, for in the words of Stephen Decatur, “Our Country, in dealing with other countries, may she always be right; but it is still our country, right or wrong.”

The sixth fold is for where our hearts lie. It is with our heart that we pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States Of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for all.

The seventh fold is a tribute to our Armed Forces, for it is through the Armed Forces that we protect our country and our flag against all her enemies, whether they be found within or without the boundaries of our republic.

The eighth fold is a tribute to the one who entered into the valley of the shadow of death, that we might see the light of day, and to honor mother, for whom it flies on Mother’s Day.

The ninth fold is a tribute to womanhood; for it has been through their faith, their love, loyalty and devotion that the character of the men and women who have made this country great has been molded.

The tenth fold is a tribute to the father, for he, too, has given his sons and daughters for the defense of our country since they were first born.

The eleventh fold, in the eyes of a Hebrew citizen represents the lower portion of the seal of King David and King Solomon, and glorifies in their eyes, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

The twelfth fold, in the eyes of a Christian citizen, represents an emblem of eternity and glorifies, in their eyes, God the Father, the Son, and Holy Spirit.

When the flag is completely folded, the stars are uppermost reminding us of our nation’s motto, “In God We Trust”. After the flag is completely folded and tucked in, it takes on the appearance of a cocked hat, ever reminding us 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 Armed Forces of the United States, preserving for us the rights, privileges, and freedoms we enjoy today.

To whom can I write to express comments or concerns about the Military Funeral Honors program?

You may write to:
Military Funeral Honors
10100 Reunion Place, Suite 260
San Antonio TX 78216-4138

There are many creative funeral Ideas that can be used to personalize a funeral or memorial service.

Think about:

~A unique location that meant something to the deceased.

~Music that truly reflects the on the individual.

~Creating a true celebration of the life of your loved one.

~Using unique ethnic rituals in the ceremony.

~Providing meaningful mementos of the deceased to those attending the ceremony.

Remember that:

~The only rule about a memorial service is that it should provide a loving and positive remembrance of the deceased.

~Using humor or even lively music can add wonderful moments to the service if they reflect the individual you are trying to memorialize.

~A funeral or memorial service need not be costly – there are dozens of ways to keep cost down and still provide a perfect tribute of your loved one.

The best gift you can give yourself and your loved one at the time of their death is a funeral or memorial service that truly represents that individual and the feelings you have for them. Create a unique and meaningful tribute that focuses not on their death, but rather on their life.

Submitted by Jeffrey Smith, D.D.

We have been busy here at Memorial Funeral Homes over the last several months exploring many of the new choices available in funeral service.  What is it that a family would choose? There are many families in our community that have a connection with their local church, and adhere to their church’s practices for funeral ceremonies.  What we have also learned is there are many families out there who are creating their own, new, traditions.  We have heard many different requests, and we want to be able to help every family, with every request.

Our peers in funeral service have shared this experience, and we are hearing about many different ideas, including

Green funerals, can be too broad, but to think of it as- how the choices we make as a funeral home and a family for certain  funeral services may impact the environment. New choices are becoming available with green cemeteries, new embalming techniques, and biodegradable materials for burial and cremation scattering

Cremation, and the many options it can provide

Memorialization, or memorial tributes. It’s no longer just picking out a headstone or monument, but keepsake jewelry, engraved picture frames, garden monuments, and even gems made from the cremated remains

Technology, webcasting funeral services, online memorials, and creating a community online for grief support

We hope in the coming months, we will explore many of these ideas in greater detail, to learn together with the families we serve, which ideas are fads, and which will become integral to the funeral services of tommorrow. Look for future posts in the About… category of this blog for more.

Kurt

I want to take this chance to point out the comment section beneath this post, and a new one will appear beneath each post for any of you, the readers, can  comment and provide feedback on your own experiences relative to the topic.  As our “About…” series grows, we hope to touch on many different aspects of funeral service.  If there is something you would like to hear more about, send us an email.

Kurt