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Cremation Services - Traditions at
Military Funerals
By Mike Selvon
Even if you've been to dozens of funerals before,
military funerals of young servicemen killed in action
are some of the most difficult. Not only are you
mourning the loss of life, but you're also reflecting
upon the notion that they sacrificed their lives for
your freedom, and at such a young age. They gave up
their family, their friends, their comfortable existence
for a cause greater than themselves. That can bring a
tear to anyone's eye.
When attending military funerals, there is no doubt this
is something special, as at least two members of the
uniformed armed forces, Reserve, or National Guard will
be present during the wake, memorial and funeral
services. Their silent presence is a reminder of the
camaraderie in the army - and that this soldier was
willing to sacrifice not just for us, but for his or her
platoon. If killed in action or remembered particularly
well, an officer sometimes attends the funeral and gives
a speech to the grieving about the soldier's service,
dedication and sacrifice.
At the gravesite, a gun salute is given to high ranking
officers and officials or a 3-volley salute is fired.
This tradition stems from the act of stopping fighting
to remove the dead from the battlefield. To resume
fighting, the armies would fire three volleys to
indicate that the dead have been taken care of and the
fighting may resume.
With the Navy, a cannon may be fired. This custom
symbolizes how during combat, when a cannon fires, it
partially disarms the ship, and so the cannon is fired
at certain military funerals to represent trust and
respect.
Sometimes music is present, like bagpipes, upon request.
Other times, "Taps" is played via bugle or recording
during the final salute. In 1862, bugler Oliver Wilcox
Norton relayed playing his rendition of this emotional
tune, "The music was beautiful on that still summer
night and was heard far beyond the limits of our
Brigade.
The next day I was visited by several buglers from
neighboring Brigades, asking for copies of the music
which I gladly furnished. The call was gradually taken
up through the Army of the Potomac." This part of the
military funeral ceremony always strikes a chord with
attendees.
The US Department of Veteran Affairs provides burial
allowances or even free burial at one of 125 Veteran
Cemeteries for military funerals. A family is eligible
to receive a Government headstone or marker, flag, a
Presidential memorial certificate and possibly a burial
allowance for free.
The burial allowance is paid if you paid for the funeral
of a veteran, who was not dishonorably discharged and
one of the following occurred: the veteran died in
action, the veteran was receiving VA pension or
compensation at the time, or the veteran died in a VA
hospital.
In the case of a service-related death, the VA pays up
to $2,000 in expenses. In a non-service death, the VA
will pay $300 for funeral arrangements and $300 for
burial arrangements.
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