{"id":353834,"date":"2016-04-04T10:47:11","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T15:47:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/military\/administrative-issues-benefits\/military-cemeteries-and-burials-the-basics.html"},"modified":"2016-06-20T20:25:06","modified_gmt":"2016-06-21T01:25:06","slug":"military-cemeteries-and-burials-the-basics","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/military\/administrative-issues-benefits\/military-cemeteries-and-burials-the-basics.html","title":{"rendered":"Military Cemeteries and Burials: The Basics"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Military Cemeteries and Burials: The Basics<\/h1>\n
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Created by FindLaw’s team<\/a> of legal writers and editors<\/i><\/p>\n\n | Last updated\n

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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

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The respect and reverence shown to those service men and women who have passed away is a direct result of the honorable service they perform and is why even soldiers whose remains have not been identified are shown such respect at places like Arlington National Cemetery<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n

For those who serve, there can be few sights more moving than that of a spouse being handed a neatly folded American flag at the funeral of their loved one.  It’s also why, under federal law<\/a>, all eligible veterans are entitled to military honors at their funerals upon request.<\/p>\r\n

If you or a loved one have served and are interested in having a funeral with military honors at either a private cemetery or a veterans’ cemetery, there are some important things you need to know. This article will cover the basics of military cemeteries and burials and can help to give you that peace of mind you’ve earned.<\/p>\r\n

What Are Military Honors?<\/h2>\r\n

At a minimum, the Department of Defense requires<\/a> that military honors ceremonies include the ceremonial folding and presentation of the flag as well as the sounding of taps. The honors detail must be composed of at least two uniformed service members, one of which is in the same service as the deceased. Although not required, the detail can also include a firing party, color guard, military band or military flyover<\/a>. The detail can also include additional veteran volunteers who are members of veterans’ service organizations like the Veterans of Foreign Wars<\/a> or The American Legion<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n

What\u2019s Included in a Military Burial?<\/h2>\r\n

Burial or inurnment at a military cemetery includes the following at no cost<\/a> to service members or their families:<\/p>\r\n