Casualty Assistance

Military Funeral Honors

The Department of Defense (DOD) is responsible for providing military funeral honors. “Honoring Those Who Served” is the title of the DOD program for providing dignified military funeral honors to Veterans who have defended our nation.

Upon the family’s request, Public Law 106-65 requires that every eligible Veteran receive a military funeral honors ceremony, to include 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 Veterans’ Parent Service of the armed forces. The DOD program calls for funeral home directors to request military funeral honors on behalf of the Veterans’ family. However, the Fort Huachuca Post Cemetery staff can also assist with arranging military funeral honors for services at the Fort Huachuca Post Cemetery. 

Burial flags are provided by the US Department of Veterans Affairs at no cost.  Most Veterans are entitled to burial flags.  Only one burial flag may be provided per Veteran.  Flags may be obtained from any VA Regional Office and most US Post Offices by completing a VA Form 2008, Application for United States Flag for Burial Purposes, and submitting it with a copy of the Veteran’s discharge papers at either location for family arranged funeral services.  Funeral home directors may also obtain a burial flag on behalf of the deceased military member.

To schedule military funeral honors, contact your local funeral home.  The Military Funeral Honors request form can be downloaded here, and emailed to the Casualty Assistance Center with the DD Form 214.

Military Funeral Customs

The Practive of Draping the Casket with the National Flag

This custom began during the Napoleonic Wars (1796-1815). The dead carried from the field of battle on a caisson were covered with flags. When the US flag covers the casket, it is placed so the union blue field is at the head and over the left shoulder. It is not placed in the grave and is not allowed to touch the ground.

Flag Folding Ceremony

The Flag folding ceremony stands for the same religious principles on which our country was originally founded. The portion of the flag-denoting honor is the canton of blue containing the stars representing states our Veterans served in uniform. The canton field of blue dress is from left to right and is inverted only when draped as a pall on the casket of a Veteran who has served our country honorably in uniform. The flag is lowered, folded in a triangle and kept under watch during the night as tribute to our Nation's honored dead. The next morning it is brought out and at the ceremony of reveille, run aloft as symbol of our belief in the resurrection of the body.

• The first fold of our flag is a symbol of life.
• The second fold is a symbol of our belief in the eternal life.
• The third fold is made in honor and remembrance of the Veteran departing our ranks and who gave a portion of life 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 to in times of peace as well as in times of war for HIS divine guidance.
• The fifth fold is a tribute to our country, for in the words of Stephen Decauter, Our country, in dealing with the 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 hearts 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 them that we protect our country and our flag against all enemies, whether they be found within our 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 our mother, for whom it flies on Mother's Day.
• The ninth fold is a tribute to womanhood, for it has been through their faith, love, loyalty and devotion the character of the men and women who have made this country great molded.
• The tenth fold is a tribute to father, for he too, has given his sons and daughters for the defense of our country since he or she was first born.
• The eleventh fold, in the eyes of Hebrew citizens, 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 the Holy Ghost.

When the flag is completely folded, the stars are uppermost, reminding us of our national motto. "In God We Trust"

The Practice of Firing Three Volleys over the Grave

This practice originated in the old custom of halting the fighting to remove the dead from the battlefield. Once each army had cleared its dead, it would fire three volleys to indicate that the dead had been cared for and that they were ready to go back to the fight. The fact that the firing party consists of seven riflemen, firing three volleys does not constitute a 21-gun salute.

Origin of the 21-Gun Salute

All personal salutes may be traced to the prevailing use in earlier days: to ensure that the saluter placed himself in an unarmed position, and virtually in the power of the saluted. This may be noted in the dropping of the point of the sword, presenting arms, firing cannon and small arms, lowering sails, manning the yards, removing the headdress or laying on oars. Salute by gunfire is an ancient ceremony. The British for years compelled weaker nations to render the first salute; but in time, international practice compelled "gun for gun" on the principle of equality of nations. In the earliest days, seven guns was the recognized British national salute.

Origin of "TAPS"

Of all the military bugle calls, none is so easily recognized or more apt to render emotion than the call Taps. The melody is both eloquent and haunting and the history of its origin is interesting and somewhat clouded in controversy. In the British Army, a similar call known as Last Post has been sounded over Soldiers' graves since 1885, but the use of Taps is unique with the United States military, since the call is sounded at funerals, wreath-laying and memorial services. Taps began as a revision to the signal for Extinguish Lights (Lights Out) at the end of the day. Up until the Civil War, the infantry call for Extinguish Lights was the one set down in Silas Casey's (1801-1882) Tactics, which had been borrowed from the French. The music for Taps was adapted by Union General Daniel Butterfield for his brigade (Third Brigade, First Division, Fifth Army Corps, Army of the Potomac) in July, 1862.