Air Force Funeral Honors Request: Steps, Timeline, and What to Expect
How to request US Air Force funeral honors — the submission process, minimum notice windows, standard vs full honors, and Space Force coverage.
Blog
All articles about Military Funeral & Honors — US.
Alternatives to the VA Website for Military Funeral Planning
What to use instead of (or alongside) the VA website when planning a military funeral — VSOs, funeral directors, planning guides, and when each one is the right fit.
American Legion Funeral Honors — VSO Volunteer Honor Guards Explained
How American Legion, VFW, and DAV volunteer honor guards work at military funerals — availability, what they provide, quality concerns, and how to request them.
Best Military Funeral Planning Resource for Civilian Families
The best resources for civilian family members planning a military funeral — comparing VA portals, VSO help, funeral directors, and dedicated planning guides.
Best Guide to VA Burial Benefits — How to Avoid Forfeiture
How to claim every VA burial benefit a veteran's family is entitled to — and the specific mistakes that permanently forfeit thousands of dollars.
Coast Guard Funeral Honors: How to Request and What to Expect
Step-by-step guide to requesting US Coast Guard funeral honors — eligibility, the honors detail, flag presentation, and coordination with civilian funeral homes.
DIC — Dependency and Indemnity Compensation for Surviving Spouses
2026 DIC rates by pay grade, eligibility rules, SBP coordination, DFAS notification deadlines, and how surviving military spouses claim these benefits.
How to Combine Military Honors With a Religious Funeral Service
Step-by-step coordination for combining military funeral honors with Catholic, Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, and other religious services — resolving the protocol collisions before the day.
How to Get Buried at Arlington National Cemetery
Arlington National Cemetery eligibility, scheduling wait times, required documents, and what families need to know about planning an interment at ANC.
Jewish Military Funeral Customs: Integrating Halakha With Military Honors
How to plan a Jewish military funeral — reconciling quick-burial traditions, cemetery restrictions, flag-and-pall protocols, and the Kaddish with military honors.
Marine Corps Funeral Honors Request — Branch-by-Branch Guide
How to request military funeral honors for each branch — Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, Space Force, Army — including forms, timelines, and contacts.
Military Funeral Etiquette for Civilians
What civilians should wear, when to stand, how to respond during Taps and the flag presentation, and other etiquette rules for attending a military funeral.
Military Funeral Planning Guide vs Funeral Director — Which Do You Actually Need?
Comparing a military funeral planning guide against relying on your funeral director for honors coordination, VA benefits, and ceremony logistics.
Military Funeral Program Template: What to Include and How to Format It
How to write a military funeral program — the order of service, what goes on each page, how to integrate military honors with religious elements, and common formatting mistakes.
Military Funeral Timeline From Death to Burial: What Happens and When
The realistic timeline for planning a military funeral — first 24 hours, scheduling wait times, cemetery differences, and what causes delays.
Non-Service-Connected Burial Allowance — VA Rates, Deadlines, and How to File
VA burial allowance rates for non-service-connected deaths, the two-year filing deadline, plot allowances, and how to avoid common claim mistakes.
Presidential Memorial Certificate Application: How to Get One for a Veteran
How to apply for a Presidential Memorial Certificate (PMC) using VA Form 40-0247 — eligibility, required documents, processing time, and how to request multiple copies.
Standard Form 180 Military Records — How to Get a DD-214 for Funeral Honors
How to use Standard Form 180 to request military records, emergency DD-214 recovery for funeral planning, and alternative routes when records are missing.
State Veterans Cemetery Benefits: How They Compare to National Cemeteries
State veterans cemeteries vs VA national cemeteries — eligibility differences, what's free, state-specific benefits, and when a state cemetery is the better choice.
Surviving Spouse Military Benefits After a Veteran Dies
Complete guide to military surviving spouse benefits including DIC, SBP, DFAS notification, VA pension, and TRICARE — with deadlines and filing steps.
Three-Volley Salute Meaning — Why Rifles Fire at Military Funerals
What the three-volley salute means at a military funeral, how it differs from a 21-gun salute, and what families and attendees should expect during the firing.
VA Headstone and Marker Application: Forms, Options, and the Medallion Alternative
How to apply for a free VA headstone, grave marker, or veteran medallion using VA Form 40-1330 — eligibility rules, material options, and the plaque forfeiture trap.
Veteran Cremation Benefits: What the VA Covers and What It Doesn't
Does the VA pay for veteran cremation? Burial allowances, national cemetery eligibility, urn options, and cremation-specific rules families need to know.
Veteran Pre-Planning Funeral Arrangements: The Pre-Need Process Explained
How veterans can pre-plan their burial with VA Form 40-10007 — pre-need eligibility, national cemetery reservation, and what it locks in for your family.
Veteran Uniform and Medals Display at a Funeral: Rules and Options
How to display a veteran's uniform, medals, and military memorabilia at a funeral — burial in dress uniform, shadow boxes, cremation restrictions, and proper mounting.
What Happens at a Military Funeral — Ceremony Sequence Explained
Step-by-step walkthrough of a military funeral ceremony — from the casket transfer through the rifle volley, Taps, flag folding, and presentation to the family.
What to Do When a Veteran Dies — Checklist
Step-by-step checklist for the first 72 hours after a veteran dies, covering DFAS notification, DD-214 recovery, honor guard requests, and VA burial benefits.
Who Gets the Flag at a Military Funeral
Who receives the folded flag at a military funeral, the order of precedence, how to request additional flags, and what the presentation ceremony means.
Who Is Eligible for Military Funeral Honors
Eligibility rules for military funeral honors — who qualifies for standard vs. full honors, discharge requirements, and what the DD-214 must show.