Funeral Honors
The Minnesota National Guard honor guard team provides Military Funeral Honors within the State of Minnesota for honorably discharged veterans of the Armed Forces of the United States of America.
The rendering of Military Funeral Honors is a way to show the nation's deep gratitude to those who have faithfully defended our country in times of war and peace.
The ceremonial paying of respect is the final demonstration that a grateful nation can provide to a veteran's family.
The basic Military Funeral Honors (MFH) ceremony consists of the folding and presentation of the United States flag to the veteran's family and the playing of Taps. The ceremony is performed by a funeral honors detail consisting of at least two members of the Armed Forces. The Funeral Honors rendered to you or your veteran will be determined by the status of the veteran. The type of Funeral Honors may be:
- Full Military Honors
- 7-9 Person Detail
- Standard Honors Team Detail
When possible, at least one member of the funeral honors detail will be from the Armed Force in which the deceased veteran served. Taps may be played by a bugler or, if a bugler is not available, by using a quality recorded version. Military Funeral Honor Teams may act as Pall Bearers if requested by the veteran/family. To obtain funeral honors as a veteran or a family member of a veteran, you must have a copy of the Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, Department of Defense Form 214 (discharge paperwork). This documentation should be given to the funeral home you have selected. The funeral home will contact the Casualty Area Command (CAC) (1-800-350-7746) that handles your respective state for reporting purposes. The funeral director will then contact a Military Funeral Honors Program Area Coordinator who will assign your service to one of the local Honor Guard details.
To request military funeral honors, email Christopher.a.schlukebier.ctr@army.mil and include the following information:
- Deceased name
- Urn or casket
- Date and Time of service
- Social security/service number
- Rank and branch of service
- Cemetery name and address
- Point of contact name and number
- Next of kin