The rendering of Military Funeral Honors is a way to show the Nation’s deep gratitude to those who, in times of war and peace, have faithfully defended our country. This ceremonial paying of respect is the final demonstration that our great Nation can provide to the veterans’ family.
What is Military Funeral Honors
The basic Military Funeral Honors ceremony consists of the folding and presentation of the United States flag to the veteran's family and the playing of Taps. Unless a bugler is a member of the detail, the funeral honors detail shall play a recorded version of Taps. The ceremony is performed by a funeral honors detail consisting of at least two members of the Armed Forces.
Burial Flags
The Veterans Benefits Administration provides a U.S. flag at no cost to the veterans’ family, to drape over the casket or be placed with the urn of a deceased veteran. This flag is furnished to honor the memory of a veteran's military service to his or her company. After the funeral service, the flag is generally given to the veteran's family.
Headstones or Markers
The Dept. of Veterans Affairs furnishes, upon request, at no charge to the applicant, a Government headstone or marker, for the grave of any deceased eligible veteran. Ruck Funeral Homes will assist your family with completing the application for the headstone or marker for qualified veterans. All that is needed from the family is a copy of the decedent's DD214 (Military Discharge Papers.) It typically takes 1 - 3 months before the markers or headstones are delivered. Headstones or markers are available in bronze, flat granite, flat marble, upright granite, and bronze niche. Markers are inscribed with the name of the decedent, branch of service and the dates of birth and death, military grade, rank or rate, war served in, emblem representing the decedent's religion, and valor awards.
Burial Benefits for State of Maryland Residents
Veterans who are residents of the State of Maryland and have received an honorable discharge and their eligible dependents, are eligible for burial at one of Maryland’s five veteran’s cemeteries. There is no cost to the veteran for burial plot, opening/closing, headstone and state liner (if used). Eligible dependents have a minimal opening/closing cost and a direct cost for state liner (if used). There is a pre-interment program where veterans can indicate their desire to be buried in one of the five state veteran’s cemeteries and verify their eligibility for burial by filling out a pre-interment application.
To further commemorate the deceased veteran, your family can personalize the casket of your choice with military crest inscription on the casket or military symbols or flag embroidering on the inside panel of the casket lid.
For more information, please use the links listed below:
www.arlingtoncemetery.org
www.cem.va.gov/
www.mdva.state.md.us/state/burialBenefits.html