Military Funeral Honors
Veteran Recognition
Honoring our veterans with dignity, tradition, and the beauty of the sea
Having Military Honors at Sea
It is our honor to be able to arrange for military honors for veterans. Having military honors is an opportunity that families are encouraged to take advantage of. Military honors are available to all eligible service members upon the request. This benefit is secured in the National Defense Authorization Act, Section 578 of Public Law 106-65 which mandates that the United States Armed Forces shall provide the rendering of honors in a military funeral for any eligible veteran.
The number of military members executing honors for a veteran varies, but will always include at least 2 members of the armed services. As well, a separate bugle player is usually present, so generally 3 military members are present. Veterans are allowed only one honors ceremony.
If the veteran served 20 or more years, was a Medal of Honor recipient, a higher rank officer or active duty veteran, events may be more elaborate. All ceremonies will however include the formal flag presentation, playing of Taps and sometimes a rifle salute.
The veterans length of service does not matter when being approved for honors, only that they have completed their service under honorable discharge status.
Military Funeral Honors – What it Entails
We take care of all aspects of organizing an honor guard to perform military honors for the family. It takes place before the family boards the yacht for the burial at sea service. Sometimes it takes place on the yacht, but usually it is land near the departure point.
The Military Flag Presentation
We will arrange for a flag to be present at the service, it is provided by the Veterans Administration at NO cost. After the military honors service, the flag is presented to the next of kin. It is for display purposes only and not designed to be flown.
The Presidential Certificate
We arrange for the Presidential Certificate, a special program started in 1962 by President John F. Kennedy. The Presidential Certificate is an engraved high quality vellum certificate with the official Presidential Seal. It is signed by the current President of the United States.
This special recognition states in part,
“This certificate is awarded by a grateful nation in recognition of the devoted and selfless consecration to the service of our country in the Armed Forces of the United States.”
A Live Bugle Player through Bugles Across America
We will try to arrange a live bugle player through “Bugles Across America”. For all branches of the services with the exception of the Marines, the taps played at military honors is recorded. There is a button on the bugle that is pressed to play the recording.
We prefer to have a actual bugle player, so we organize this through “Bugles Across America”. It is an organization where members ( veterans themselves ) give freely of their time to come to the honors presentation and play.
FAQ – For Military Honors
How do I request military honors for my loved one?
Generally our team can assist you in obtaining military honors for a loved one by coordinating with the appropriate military branch. To simplify the process for you, we will take care of the scheduling and paperwork. Generally, we will collect a veteran’s discharge paperwork, together with vital information like his or her date of birth, date of death, and Social Security number. We will instruct you about the needed paperwork.
Is there a charge for military funeral honors, or is it provided at no cost?
Military funeral honors are a federal legal obligation provided at no cost to all eligible veterans. The military will not charge the veteran’s family for the honors. However, we may charge for organizing and having personel there.
How long is it for a family to have or arrange military honors prior to the service?
For scheduling purposes, we suggest requesting military honors at least 1 to 2 weeks in advance, althoug in some circumstance a few days may be enough. The military will not schedule months in advance. This allows enough time for the military to assign personnel, and for the family and our team to arrange schedules.
Are cremated remains eligible for military honors when scattered at sea?
Yes. Military honors can be extended to both casketed remains and cremated remains (ashes). For families who choose the sea option, honors can be performed dockside or onboard the vessel prior to the final salute. Honors can even be scheduled in the case there are no physcal remains.
Are there any specific family activities or additions to the ceremony that incorporate music or readings?
Yes. The military part of the ceremony, while still following proper procedures, can be customized as families frequently do in the rest of the service with the addition of scripture, poetry, and floral (or wreath) sea placements that are done after the sea-wreathing.
If the veteran passed away decades earlier, can military honors still be performed?
Yes. Military honors can be requested if the veteran has passed away, regardless of the time frame, as long the veteran’s service records are able to show honorable service. Veterans who were buried or scattered and then remembered years after passing away are often honored by families with military ceremonies, or interred as part of a memorial event. We have scheduled honors for two Pearl Harbor victims, approximately 80 years after their passing.
What if the veteran's DD-214 or discharge papers cannot be found?
The absence of the DD-214 is a common issue, but the good news is that we can help you request replacement documents from the National Archives. We’re happy to help you through the process.
Eligibility for Military Honors
Even if you think you may not be eligible for honors, you are still encouraged to apply. There may be exceptions.
Eligible for Honors
Veterans who died while on active duty or in the Selected Reserve
Veterans 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 were discharged under other than dishonorable conditions.
Not Eligible for Honors
If they have been convicted of capital offenses and sentenced to life imprisonment without parole or receive the death penalty.
If they were discharged from the military under dishonorable conditions, which includes dishonorable discharge, bad conduct discharge, dismissal from the service by court-martial, other than honorable conditions.
For officers, resignation for the good of the service in lieu of courts-martial.
What if the veteran served in multiple branches?
Multi branched military service is quite common. Example include progressing from the Marine Corps to the Navy Reserve, or from the Army to the Air Force.
In such cases, the last branch served in, and the one served with honor, takes the primary responsibility of properly organizing the military burial honors, including the coordination of the sea burial, flag presentation, and the playing of Taps. This is the most reliable way of ascertaining the military records, personnel, and ceremonial protocols that will be adhered to.
Families are informed that providing service records from all branches is beneficial, and must therefore, be submitted without delay. This is to help establish eligibility, clarify service history, and most importantly, document thoroughness in both the subsequent ceremony and the paperwork.
For veterans who have served honorably, or have had extensive service, families are permitted to make the following requests.
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- Elements of honor that are representative of each branch, such as flags, insignias, or emblems.
- Certain passages or music associated with the veteran’s service in every branch.
- The service record must be accompanied with a statement in the program, or obituary, that honors the veteran for all their service branches.
Unlike the Navy or principal branch which maintains the formalities of the ceremony, the funeral home or private charter undertake to offer the families such meaningful additions during memorial services.
Military Honors Comparison Table
| Honor Element | Single-Branch Service | Multi-Branch Service |
|---|---|---|
| Lead Branch | Last branch of honorable service handles entire ceremony | Last branch still leads, but families can request inclusion of other branches |
| Flag Presentation | One U.S. flag presented by honor guard from the final branch | Option to include branch-specific flags displayed at memorial or folded alongside the U.S. flag |
| Music / Taps | Traditional Taps played by military representative or recording | Families may request service songs (e.g., Anchors Aweigh, Marines’ Hymn) for each branch served |
| Uniformed Honor Guard | Provided by the final branch of service | Primary branch provides the team; additional representatives from other branches can attend if available |
| Memorial Certificate | Issued by the final branch of service | May include complete service record acknowledging all branches served |
| Obituary / Program | Mentions branch and rank at time of separation | Families can highlight service history across all branches for a more complete tribute |
| Optional Elements | Standard folding ceremony, gun salute (if available), and flag presentation | Additional emblems, patches, or music selections honoring all branches can be included at memorial services |
Veteran Obituary
1. Single-Branch Service Obituary Template
For veterans who served in one branch of the military
[Full Name], age [Age], of [City, State], passed away on [Date]. Born on [Date of Birth], [First Name] proudly served in the [Branch of Service] from [Start Year] to [End Year], achieving the rank of [Rank].
During their service, [First Name] was stationed at [Locations or Bases] and received [Awards, Medals, or Honors] in recognition of their dedication and bravery.
After completing their military service, [First Name] pursued [Career/Family/Life Details], always carrying the values of honor, duty, and loyalty learned in the military.
A [Military Honors / Funeral Service Type] will be held at [Location] on [Date]. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to [Charity or Veteran Organization] in [First Name]’s memory.
2. Multi-Branch Service Obituary Template
For veterans who served in more than one branch of the military
[Full Name], age [Age], of [City, State], passed away on [Date]. Born on [Date of Birth], [First Name] honorably served in the [First Branch of Service] from [Start Year] to [End Year], followed by service in the [Second Branch of Service] from [Start Year] to [End Year], achieving the rank of [Highest Rank] before retiring.
Throughout their military career, [First Name] contributed to [Conflicts, Missions, or Stations] and was awarded [Awards, Medals, or Honors] for their dedication and courage.
Their service across multiple branches reflects a lifelong commitment to our nation’s security and freedom.
A [Military Honors / Funeral Service Type] will be held at [Location] on [Date] with representation from the [Branch(es)] in recognition of [First Name]’s distinguished service.
The family invites friends and loved ones to share memories and celebrate a life of duty, honor, and love.