How to get buried with military honors

Quick answerEligible veterans are entitled to military funeral honors when the family asks. That means at least a two-person detail, the folding and presentation of the flag, and Taps. The funeral director usually requests honors from the veteran’s service branch. Allow at least 48 to 72 hours.

What the honors includeFederal law

A detail of at least two service members, one from the veteran’s branch
Folding and presenting the U.S. flag to the next of kin
Taps, by a bugler if available or a ceremonial bugle
Veterans organizations may add a rifle detail, pallbearers or an escort

Two-member minimum detail, flag folding and presentation, Taps; honors required on the family’s request; contact the branch 48–72 hours ahead. Source: VA NCA – Military Funeral Honors, checked Oct 29, 2026.
Statute. Source: 10 U.S.C. § 1491, checked Oct 29, 2026.

How to request

Tell the funeral director the person was a veteran. The director or the family’s representative requests honors from the service branch. At a VA national cemetery, cemetery staff can help.
Have the DD-214 (discharge papers) ready. If you can’t find it, next of kin can request it from the National Archives using Standard Form 180 or online.

Requesting military service records, including the DD 214, and Standard Form 180. Source: National Archives – Veterans’ service records, checked Oct 29, 2026.

Other VA burial benefitsFederal law

Burial in a VA national cemetery: generally for veterans not dishonorably discharged, service members who died on duty, spouses and some dependents (VA eligibility).
Pre-need eligibility: you can ask VA ahead of time whether you qualify for burial in a national cemetery using VA Form 40-10007.
Headstone or marker: free from VA. See our guide.
Burial flag: VA Form 27-2008.
Presidential Memorial Certificate and a burial allowance may also be available. Check VA.gov for the current amounts.

National cemetery eligibility and disqualifications. Source: VA – Eligibility for burial, checked Oct 29, 2026.

State veterans cemeteriesState law

We haven’t yet verified the state veterans cemeteries for our pilot states from official state sites.

Checklists: Executor · Estate planning

Was this helpful?