How to Plan a Military Funeral Service for Your Fallen Loved One

Did you know that active military members and veterans make up less than 10% of the population?

Since it takes a special kind of person to serve, fallen heroes deserve to have a proper military funeral service.

Do you need help planning an honorable funeral? Keep reading for some must-know tips.

Gather Necessary Documents to Start Planning a Military Funeral

In order to plan a military funeral, there are a few steps that need to be covered. Since the process of gathering the necessary paperwork and reporting to the right office can be difficult for grieving families, it’s helpful to find a funeral director that can help take care of everything.

Speaking with an experienced funeral director can also give you peace of mind that you won’t forget any details during the planning.

Write a Touching Obituary

In order to honor the deceased, they should have an obituary that outlines their accomplishments. It’s also a nice touch to add a special photo of them in their uniform.

An online obituary is a convenient way to inform family, friends, and others who have served alongside them when the funeral will take place. Including the service details will ensure their funeral is well attended.

Include Military Honors Funeral Traditions

Traditional military funeral honors include a flag folding ceremony with two current members of the military and a bugler who plays “Taps”. Families can also request a presidential memorial certificate that is signed by the current president of America.

Although these are the typical military funeral events, feel free to plan other activities that you think would best honor your loved one. Since there are no rules, you should also consider how the deceased would like to be remembered.

Plan Your Full Military Honors Funeral in a Veterans’ Cemetery

If you’d like to bury your loved one among their brothers and sisters in arms, there are plenty of cemeteries across the country that are reserved for veterans. In order to secure a plot, make sure you contact a funeral director to ensure the proper paperwork and notifications have been sent to the cemetery.

You can also honor the deceased by ordering a custom gravestone. You can write any message, titles, or other important details about your loved one’s legacy. Each time you visit their grave, you’ll be filled with pride.

How to Cover Costs of a Military Funeral Service

Traditional funerals can cost thousands of dollars. Grieving families of fallen heroes shouldn’t have to worry about covering these fees.

In order to give your loved one a proper funeral, the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs can compensate families up to $2,000 to help cover service fees. Be sure to read their terms to see if your loved one is eligible to receive these benefits.

Do You Need Professional Funeral Care?

Now that you know how to plan a military funeral service, you can ensure that your loved one’s memory is honored.

Do you need helping planning a funeral near Wilmington, Delaware? If so, Brandywine Valley Funeral Care would love to assist you through this difficult time.