- 1). Determine the deceased's eligibility. Check his or her files for a DD Form 214: Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty. You can also request a copy from the National Archives and Records Administration.
- 2). Inform the funeral home director that you would like military honors at the funeral. Your funeral home director will make the necessary arrangements with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs National Cemetery Administration.
- 3). Obtain a burial flag. If the deceased died while on active duty, their service branch (Army, Navy, Marines or Air Force) will provide a flag. The Veteran's Administration (VA) provides a burial flag---at no cost---to drape the casket or accompany the urn of honorably-discharged veterans. The funeral director can help you obtain a flag or you can get a flag at any VA regional office or US Post Office.
- 4). Normally, the burial flag is presented to next-of-kin. When there is no next-of-kin, the flag will be presented to a friend.
Decide whether you will keep the burial flag or donate it to one of the VA's national cemeteries. Most VA national cemeteries display an Avenue of Flags on patriotic holidays with flags donated by the families of deceased veterans. Contact the cemetery of your choice for donation procedures.
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