Veterans Services
The sacrifices a soldier makes to serve our country are numerous. Their passing deserves the utmost honor and respect. We are proud to provide dignified military services for our country’s eligible veterans, and to guide their families in securing the benefits their loved one deserves. From full military honors to a simple family funeral, our staff is committed to helping create services that give a distinguished personal tribute to those who gave so much.
Traditional Military Funerals
Any eligible veteran will receive the rendering of honors in a military funeral at the family’s request. The flag of the United States is draped on the casket of the deceased, and an honor guard detail acts as pallbearers and performs a ceremony that consists of folding and presenting the United States flag to the next of kin. The sounding of Taps is played by a bugler or a recording if a bugler is not available.
Who is Eligible
Any veteran who was discharged under circumstances other than dishonorable can receive military funeral honors, including:
- Active or former active duty of Selected Reserve in the United States Armed Forces
- Former enlisted servicemen or servicewomen who completed at least one term or period of initial obligated service in the Selected Reserve
- Former servicemen or servicewomen who were discharged due to a disability incurred or aggravated in the line of duty
Preplanning
It is never too early to begin thinking about your own funeral services. Making military funeral arrangements in advance can remove a heavy burden from your loved ones when the time comes. French is proud to offer our own unique benefits to veterans who choose to preplan. Learn more.
There are many details and requirements that go into planning a traditional veterans service and benefits. We are here to answer any questions you may have and to help you get the benefits your family deserves.
Veterans Services
French Funerals & Cremations is proud to provide Military Funeral Honors (MFH) and personalized veterans funeral services to the men and women who served our country. We also help families of the deceased acquire veterans’ burial benefits and other benefits they are eligible for. Our funeral home has over a century of experience serving veterans and helping their families honor them. Our knowledgeable staff will help you make informed decisions about the different options available.
Military Funeral Honors
Military Honors provides a final tribute to veterans who served our country and were honorably discharged. Basic Military Funeral Honors entails playing taps and folding and presenting the U.S. flag to the deceased’s family. The ceremony consists of two or more members of the Armed Forces. We also offer a 7 Person Detail or Standard Honors Team Detail, depending on the status of the veteran. Taps will be played by a bugler if one is available. If no bugler is available, a high-quality recording will be played. The Military Funeral Honor team may act as pallbearers if requested by the family.
Who is eligible for Military Funeral Honors?
Generally, any person who served in any branch of the United States Armed Forces and was honorably discharged or died during active duty is eligible for a veterans funeral. Any person who was discharged from the U.S. Armed Forces under dishonorable conditions is not eligible for a military funeral honors ceremony. To prove veteran eligibility, you’ll be required to provide the DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty. If you don’t have the DD Form 214, you can obtain one by filling out a Standard Form 180 and sending it to:
National Personnel Records Center (NPRC)
9700 Page Blvd.
St. Louis, MO 63132
Other individuals who are eligible for military honors include members of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and Commissioned Officer Corps of the Public Health Service (PHS). Members of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration will need to provide the NOAA Form 56-16 to prove eligibility.
For those who served with the NOASS, if you don’t have the NOAA Form 56-16, you can obtain it 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 those who served with the PHS, 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
Beyond Veterans Burial Benefits
VA Benefits go well beyond VA Burial Benefits. For a more comprehensive list of veterans benefits please visit the Veterans Benefits Administration website. Below are a few:
- Long-term care
- VA loans
- Veterans disability benefits
- Caregiver support
- Death benefits
- Free tax preparation
- Life insurance
- Mortgage help
French Funerals & Cremations will also help you make military funeral arrangements in advance. Preplanning your funeral can take the heavy burden of funeral planning off your family. Whether you prefer to be interred in a local cemetery or cremated, our funeral planning experts will guide you through your options.
At French Funerals & Cremations, we understand that the loss of a loved one can be a difficult and stressful time, and you don’t have to go through this process alone. Our military funeral planning experts will guide you through every step to ease the burden of planning arrangements and help you secure the benefits your loved one deserves.
