Veterans Overview

Veterans Overview

We encourage all veterans to take a copy of their DD 214 form to the funeral home who will oversee their funeral arrangements when the time comes. The DD 214 is the “DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty. If the DD Form 214 is not available, any discharge document showing other than dishonorable service can be used.”


We cannot stress how important this form is. Once a veteran has passed away, the funeral home must take many steps to ensure a veteran receives the military honors he/she deserves, and this form is a necessity. For example, we cannot request a military honor guard or a burial flag without having this document first. If a family is unable to locate the document within days of the funeral, the veteran will not receive military honors. Thus, we suggest that the DD 214 is filed with the funeral home prior to the time of need. 


The basic Military Funeral Honors (MFH) ceremony consists of the folding and presentation of the United States flag to the veterans' family and the playing of Taps. The ceremony is performed by a funeral honors detail consisting of at least two members of the Armed Forces.


The Funeral Honors rendered to you or your veteran will be determined by the status of the veteran. The type of Funeral Honors may be Full Military Honors, 7 Person Detail, or a Standard Honors Team Detail.


At least one of the funeral honors detail will be from the Armed Force in which the deceased veteran served. Taps may be played by a bugler or, if a bugler is not available, by using a quality recorded version. Military Funeral Honor Teams may act as Pall Bearers if requested by the veteran/family.


Who is eligible for Military Funeral Honors?

  • Military members on active duty or in the Selected Reserve.
  • Former military members who served on active duty and departed under conditions other than dishonorable.
  • Former military members who completed at least one term of enlistment or period of initial obligated service in the Selected Reserve and departed under conditions other than dishonorable.
  • Former military members discharged from the Selected Reserve due to a disability incurred or aggravated in the line of duty.


Who is not eligible for Military Funeral Honors?

  • Any person separated from the Armed Forces under dishonorable conditions or whose character of service results in a bar to veteran's benefits. 
  • Any person who was ordered to report to an induction station, but was not actually inducted into military service. 
  • Any person discharged from the Selected Reserve prior to completing one term of enlistment or period of initial obligated service for reasons other than a disability incurred or aggravated in the line of duty.
  • Any person convicted of a Federal or State capital crime sentenced to death or life imprisonment.


How do I establish veteran eligibility?

The preferred method is the DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty. If the DD Form 214 is not available, any discharge document showing other than dishonorable service can be used. The DD Form 214 may be obtained by filling out a Standard Form 180 and sending it to:


National Personnel Records Center (NPRC)


9700 Page Blvd.


St. Louis, MO 63132


The Standard Form 180 may be obtained from the National Records Center or via the following website: http://www.archives.gov/research/order/standard-form-180.pdf

Please note that this request for documentation from the NPRC usually takes weeks or even months so we encourage all families to take the time now to ensure the proper documents are in hand and preferably at the funeral home before they are needed at the time of death.


Is anyone else eligible to receive funeral honors?

Yes. Members of the Commissioned Officer Corps of the Public Health Service (PHS) and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), as members of a Uniformed Service, are also eligible to receive funeral honors.


For NOAA personnel, eligibility is established using NOAA Form 56-16, Report of Transfer or Discharge. If the family does not have a copy of the NOAA Form 56-16, it may be obtained by contacting the Chief, Officer Services Division, NOAA Commissioned Personnel Center at (301) 713-7715. or by writing:


National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 


Commissioned Personnel Center 


Chief, Officer Services Division (CPC1) 


1315 East-West Highway, Room 12100 


Silver Spring, Maryland 20910


For PHS personnel, funeral honors eligibility is established using PHS Form 1867, Statement of Service (equivalent to the DD Form 214). If the family does not have a copy of the Statement of Service, it may be obtained by contacting the Privacy Coordinator for the Commissioned Corps at (240) 453-6041 or writing:


Division of Commissioned Personnel/HRS/PSC 


Attention: Privacy Act Coordinator 


5600 Fishers Lane 


4-36 



Rockville, Maryland 20857

Many of us take our freedoms for granted, but our staff at Hyke Funeral Home proudly acknowledges the sacrifices made by those who have served our country through their patriotism, love of country and willingness to protect others.


Our staff is committed to providing quality service and professional assistance to help families complete the necessary forms to obtain benefits that are provided through the United States Department of Veterans Affairs for deceased veterans.

A woman is holding an american flag and a rose at a funeral.

What are VA burial benefits and memorial items?

The VA burial benefits are designed to assist service members, veterans, and their families plan and pay for a burial or memorial service in a VA national cemetery. Memorial items are provided through the Veterans Affairs to honor the service of those who have served the country.

Who qualifies for burial benefits and burial in a national cemetery?

Veterans, service members, spouses, and dependents may be eligible for burial in a VA national cemetery, as well as other benefits, if they meet one of the requirements listed below:


  • A veteran who didn’t receive a dishonorable discharge
  • A service member who died while on active duty, active duty for training, or inactive duty for training
  • The spouse or minor child of a veteran, even if the veteran died first
  • In some cases, the unmarried adult dependent child of a veteran

What are military funeral honors and a committal service?

Military funeral honors include the playing of “Taps,” a rifle detail, a color guard and uniformed service members who properly fold and present the United States flag to the grieving family. These flags are typically given to the deceased’s next of kin or close friend. In order for the survivors to qualify to receive the burial flag, the veteran or reservist must be described by at least one of the following:


  • Served in wartime
  • Died while serving on active duty after May 27, 1941
  • Served after January 31, 1955
  • Served in peacetime and left military service before June 27, 1950, after serving at least one enlistment or because of a disability that was caused - or made worse - by their active military service
  • Served in the Selected Reserves, or served in the military forces of the Philippines while in service of the United States and died on or after April 25, 1951.

What are burial benefits and how do I apply?

The veterans death benefits help cover the burial, funeral and transportation costs associated with the deceased’s services and disposition. For those being buried in a national cemetery, survivors can receive assistance with the burial and funeral costs, the plot or internment, and the transporting of the veteran’s remains for burial.


You must file a claim for a non-service-connected burial allowance within two years after the veteran’s burial or cremation. There is no time limit to file for a service-connected burial, plot or interment allowance.


You can apply online at https://www.va.gov/burials-and-memorials/application/530/introduction or by mail after completing the VA Form 21P-530.


Eligible Veterans and service members may qualify for memorial items provided by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, including headstones, markers, burial flags, and certificates. Learn more about available items and eligibility at https://www.va.gov/burials-memorials/memorial-items/



The Department of Veterans Affairs also provides a headstone for unmarked graves of an eligible deceased veteran at no charge. To request a headstone, grave marker, or niche marker, fill out the VA Form 10-1330 and send to:
Department of Veterans Affairs
5109 Russell Road
Quantico, VA 22134-3909 


For more information regarding VA burial benefits and memorial items, visit https://www.va.gov/burials-memorials/ or contact the VA office at 1-800-827-1000.