NAVPERS 15555D Navy Military Funeral Honors Questions and Answers

What must the funeral honors ceremony, at a minimum, consist of?

the folding and presentation of the American flag and the playing of Taps.

What is the minimum number of uniformed military persons required to perform the funeral honors ceremony?

At least two, in addition to a bugler, if a bugler is available.

Protocols for the conduct of the funeral honors ceremony are contained in what U.S. Navy Regulation?

U.S. Navy Regulations Article 1289

May the performance of funeral honors or the preparation for such honors be considered a period of drill or training for reservists?>

Not in any case whatsoever.

For Medal of Honor recipients and Active duty members, how many persons are required for appropriate funeral honors?

16 persons total:
-OIC/POIC;
-6 body bearers;
-7 for firing detail;
-Bugler;
-a chaplain may be provided when requested by NOK;

For Naval Fleet Reservists or retired members (with/without pay), what are the number of persons required for military funeral honors?

16 persons total:
-OIC/POIC;
-6 body bearers;
-7 for firing detail;
-Bugler;
-a chaplain may be provided when requested by NOK;

What is authorized when a military bugler is not available?

A civilian musician or as a last resort, a professional quality recording may be used. L

For veterans, what will be provided for military funeral honors?

Ceremony: 2 Navy representatives will fold and present the flag to NOK & play Taps/a quality recording of Taps;

When personnel are limited to provide full military funeral honors, how many persons are required for limited military funeral honors?

9 members:
-OIC/POIC;
-POIC of firing detail & 7 other members

For LimMilFunHnrs, where will the firing detail stack arms and how from from the grave must that be?

Arms are stacked at place where volleys will be fired;
approximately 100 feet from the foot of the grave;

What is the order of ceremony for LimMilFunHnrs?

1. Six members will act as body bearers & carry casket to grave;
2. Flag remains draped over casket/held by OIC/POIC if remains cremated); body bearers take position as members of the firing detail;
3. After volleys are fired & Taps sounded, six members of the firing detail stack weapons, return to grave;
4. At the grave, 6 firing detail members--now body bearers-- raise the flag from casket and commence folding the flag;
5. Flag is handed to the OIC/POIC for presentation to NOK;

Where is the bugler when waiting for the procession?

At the position as directed by the OIC/POIC.

When does the bugler sound Taps in a military funeral?

After the firing detail fires three volleys and is brought to PRESENT ARMS.

When military funeral honors are requested for the erecting of a memorial headstone marker in a cemetery for a deceased member whose remains are unrecoverable is a bugler authorized to be provided?

Yes

When does the bugler sound taps at any funeral?

After PRESENT ARMS is passed.

For a disposition at sea ceremony, what is the order of bugle calls?

-Officer's Call
-Assembly
-Adjutant's Call
-Call to Attention
-Taps
-Retreat

Who is eligible for a Navy Funeral?

Active duty and Medal of Honor recipients

What detail will active duty/medal of honor recipients be given?

6 body beaters, 7-person firing detail, OIC or POIC, and bugler

What detail do retired members or members of the fleet reserve receive?

Same as active duty but 2 Navy representatives is minimum

What detail do veterans receive?

2 Navy representatives

What do the 2 Navy representatives do?

Attend funeral, fold and present flag to next of kin, play Taps or quality recording

What is worn for a funeral at sea?

Uniform of the fay

When chaplain is not available, who may read the service?

The commanding officer or officer he designates

What is the order of the burial service?

Scripture
Prayers
Committal
Benediction
Fire three volleys
TAPS
Encasing the flag
Retreat (Resume normal duties)

When is course and speed resumed?

At the last note of TAPS

What happens while three volleys is fired?

Attention and hand salute

Where is bugler positioned relative to the casket

To the left and aft

Does assembly remained covered during prayers?

Yes

What happens before committal?

Attention is sounded
"Firing detail, Present Arms" (Honor platoon salute)
Tilt board until casket slides into sea
"Fire Detail, Order Arms, Parade rest"
Benediction
"Firing Detail, Attention. Fire three volleys"
TAPS
"Order Arms"
Retreat sounded

Military Funeral Procession

Band, Escort, Color Guard, Chaplain, Casket Coach or Caisson, Body Bearers, Family, Society

Firing Party

a military detachment detailed to fire a salute at a funeral; also known as firing squad

Color Guard

detachment of soldiers assigned to the protection of regimental colours

Military Chaplain

Military Minister

Body Bearers

Bear the caskets of fallen soldiers

Form DD-214

A Report of Separation is generally issued when a service member performs active duty or at least 90 consecutive days of active duty training.

What's included in Form DD-214

Date and place of entry into active duty

Home address at time of entry

Date and place of release from active duty

Home address after separation

Last duty assignment and rank

Military job specialty

Military education

Decorations, medals, badges, citations and campaign awards received

Total creditable service

Foreign service credited

Separation information (date and type of separation, character of service, authority and reason for separation and separation and reenlistment eligibility codes)

Military Escort

An escort ensures that the soldier's remains are safeguarded and properly moved from the time of release from the preparing mortuary until delivery to the receiving funeral home.

Burial in a National Cemetery Benefits

Grave
Opening and Closing
Outer Burial Container
Perpetual Care
Government headstone

Presidential Memorial Certificate

A Presidential Memorial Certificate (PMC) is a gold-embossed paper certificate bearing the official signature of the President of the United States. It honors the memory of a deceased Veteran and expresses the country's grateful recognition of his or her service in the Armed Forces.

US Flag Folding Ceremony

Represents the same religious principles on which our country was originally founded

Canton of Blue

Represents the states our veterans served in uniform

21-gun salute

Most commonly recognized of the customary gun salutes that are performed by the firing of cannons or artillery as a military honor.

Military Taps

"Taps" is a bugle call played at dusk, during flag ceremonies, and at military funerals by the United States armed forces.

First Fold

Symbol of Life

Second Fold

Symbol of our belief in the Eternal Life

Third Fold

Made in honor and remembrance of the Veteran Departing Our Ranks

Fourth Fold

Represents our Weaker Nature

Fifth Fold

Tribute to Our Country

Sixth Fold

Is for Where our Hearts Lie

Seventh Fold

Tribute to our Armed Forces

Eight Fold

Tribute to the one who entered into the valley of the shadow of death

Ninth Fold

Tribute to Womanhood

Tenth Fold

Tribute to Father

Eleventh Fold

In the eyes of a Hebrew citizen, represents the lower portion of the seal of King David and King Solomon.

Glorifies, in their eyes, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob

Twelfth Fold

In the eyes of a Christian citizen, represents an Emblem of Eternity

Glorifies, in their eyes, God the Father, the Son, and Holy Ghost

13th Fold

Flag is completely folded, the stars are uppermost, reminding us of our national motto, "In God We Trust"

Cocked Hat

After the flag is completely folded and tucked in

Reminds us of the soldiers who served under Gen. George Washington and the Sailors and Marines who served under Capt. John Paul Jones.

bugler

person who plays a bugle or trumpet

Honorable Discharge Document

It is a certificate utilized by the U.S. Department of Defense and the different branches of military service to show honorable discharge.

Honorable Discharge

(noun) discharge from military service with a favorable record.