Casualty Assistance

When reporting the death of an active duty service member* to the Department of the Army, please have the following information available concerning the service member:

• Full name
• Social security number or service number
• Rank
• Unit
• Circumstances surrounding the death
• Next of kin information

*Active duty service members include Active Army Soldiers; Active Guard Reserve personnel; U.S. Army Reserve and National Guard personnel traveling directly en route to or from, or participating in, Annual Training; Active Duty Training; Initial Active Duty Training; Active Duty for Special Work; Special Active Duty Training; Inactive Duty Training; Full time National Guard Duty; and Temporary Tour of Active Duty.

When reporting the death of a retiree to the Department of the Army, which includes retired Reserve and National Guard personnel in receipt of retired pay*, please have the following information available:

• Full name
• Social security number or service number
• Date and place of birth
• Retired rank
• Disability rating
• Unit
• Circumstances surrounding the death
• Next of kin information
• Copy of the Statement of Service (DD Form 214)
• Copy of the death certificate

*The local Casualty Assistance Center will report the death to the Defense Finance and Accounting Service for stoppage of retirement pay and the initiation of survivor benefits.

The death of a veteran should be reported to the Department of the Army if:

• the veteran died within 120 days of separation from active duty
• the next of kin would like to request a military honors burial or flag

When reporting the death of a veteran meeting the above criteria, please have the following information available:

• Full name
• Social security number or service number
• Date and place of birth
• Separation rank
• Separation date
• Disability rating
• Circumstances surrounding the death
• Next of kin information
• Copy of the Statement of Service (DD Form 214)
• Copy of the death certificate

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.

The Practice 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.
• 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.