Funerals and US Military Branches

gold star lapel button

Awarded to the Next of Kin for those killed in conflicts with a foreign force

veteran

Person who served in the active military, naval, or air service and who was discharged or released therefrom under conditions other than dishonorable

burial allowance

Veteran’s benefit allowing family to recover part of the cost of the funeral expense

plot allowance

Veteran’s benefit allowing family to recover part of the cost for burial in a private cemetery

chaplain

A person chosen to conduct religious exercises for the military, an institution or a fraternal organization

color guard

a uniformed group, especially of soldiers, police officers, who parade or present their institution's flag (and sometimes their national flag) on ceremonial occasions

DD- 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty

Document issued upon release of duty from military service

war that effort in identifying/returning remains began

civil war

mortuary affairs within US army

combat recovery, post-combat recovery, area recovery, historical recovery

92M’s

mortuary affairs specialists

Quartermaster Companys with permanent standing

54th and 111th

US army central identification lab location

hawaii

Charles C. Carson center for mortuary affairs location

dover air force base

military funeral

those who die on active duty are generally eligible for burial at one of the 155 National Cemeteries

services related for burial allowances costs

before 9/11/2002 = $1,500

after 9/11/2001 = $2,000

us military funeral honors must include

1. playing of taps

2. folding of flag

3. presentation of flag

firing party is reserved for…

active duty and retired veterans

origin of firing party

when fighting would stop so the dead or wounded could be cared for, and once finished the firing of 3 volleys would signal for fighting to resume

gun salute

fired individually an odd number of time

gun used

large caliber cannon, field artillery piece or mounted cannon on a naval warship

21 gun salute

reserved for president, former presidents and president-elect

military fratneral organizations

American Legion and the VFW are the most common veteran’s organizations to assists with funeral rites

services for active duty personnel

military authorities will make arrangements with a funeral firm holding the United States Government’s contract in that area. Families are allowed to make their own arrangements if they choose to do so

services provided by government

1. preparation of remains

2. dressing and casketing

3. transporting remains with military escort

4. providing US flag

services for active duty personnel

families receive gold star lapel button

military funeral

regardless of rank, deceased is entitled to military honors. Active duty and veterans may be entitled to FULL military honors, these consist of 21 personnel members

full honors consists of…

chaplain (1), bugler (1), color guard (2 escorts, 1 safeguarding american flag, 1 carrying unit or department flag), casket/pallbearers (6), firing party (3-7), commander of firing party (1), detail commander (1)

services for veterans

funeral professional will have major responsibility for arranging funeral services for veterans, you will need DD-214

draping flag over casket size

9 ft x 5 ½ ft

50 oversized stars

states

13 stripes

original 13 colonies

red stripes

hardiness and valor

white stripes

purity and innocence

where to get a burial flag

local post office, use the VA FORM 27-2008

draping flag over closed casket

upper half of flag is arranged over deceased’s left shoulder

draping flag over open casket

upper half of flag is arranged in 3 folds and bottom half covers closed half of casket

folded flag in/on full couch casket

flag is folded into triangle and displayed next to casket above left shoulder of deceased

committal service

common for honor guard portion to be at graveside, coordinate with clergy + military personnel to determine order

taps composed by

Union Army Brigadier General Daniel Butterfield in 1862

folding the flag

properly folded flag will fold 13 times on the triangles

first fold symbolizes

symbol of life

second fold symbolizes

symbol of our belief in eternal life

third fold symbolizes

honor/rememberance of veteran departing our ranks

fourth fold symbolizes

our weaker nature trusting in God

fifth fold symbolizes

tribute to country

sixth fold symbolizes

for where our hearts lie + pledging allegiance to the flag

seventh fold symbolizes

tribute to armed forces

eighth fold symbolizes

those who’ve entered into valley of shadow of death

ninth fold symbolizes

tribute to womanhood

tenth fold symbolizes

tribute to father

eleventh fold symbolizes

lower portion of the seal of King David and Solomon

twelfth fold symbolizes

emblem of eternity and glorification of god

thirteenth fold symbolizes

in god we trust

presentation of the flag

“On behalf of the President of the United States, the United States (branch of service) and a grateful Nation, please accept this flag as a symbol of our appreciation for your loved one’s honorable and faithful service”