Funeral Directing: Military, Veteran's Organizations, & Fraternal Organizations

If there are not enough veterans to conduct the service, who is responsible for conducting the service?

funeral home staff may be called upon to perform some of the functions normally done by the veterans such as the folding of the flag and presentation of the flag to the family

When do fraternal organizations hold their funeral ceremonies?

in some cases the fraternal organization will hold their ceremony the evening before the funeral service, in other cases, the ceremony may be held immediately after the funeral service before going to the cemetery. Still other fraternal organizations prefer to hold their ceremony as part of or immediately after the committal service at the cemetery

The flag should never have

placed upon it, nor any part of it, nor attached to it, any mark, insigia, letter, word, figure, design, picture or drawing of any nature

If the deceased was not on active duty, but was a veteran, he or she would still be entitled to which benefits?

plot interment allowance, a monument, and a U.S. flag

Services provided when a member of the armed forces dies during active duty

preparation of the ramains, dressing and casketing the remains, transporting the remains (including an escort) and a United States flag to the location of the funeral and disposition. The government also provides reimbursement for interment expenses up to $3100 for those remains interred in a private cemetery and $110 for those interred in a national cemetery.

When badly torn, worn or soiled, the flag should no longer be

publicly displayed, but privately destroyed by burning in such a manner as to convey no suggestion of disrespect or irreverence.

Who is eligible for military funeral benefits

spouses and dependents, unmarried children less than 21 years of age, full time student less than 23 years of age, unmarried adult children who are physically/mentally incapable of supporting themselves

Nothing should be placed on the flag

such as flowers or a crucifix when using it to drape the casket

When conducting a funeral for a member of the armed forces, the funeral director will often find that he or she will be dealing with:

the family, the military officials of the armed forces branch that the deceased belonged to and the clergy representing the religious body that the deceased was a member of.

What does the presenter say when presenting the flag

"this flag is offered by a grateful Nation in memory of the faithful service performed by your loved one."

Full detail of personnel for a military funeral

1 Chaplain 1 Bugler 2 Color Bearers 2 Color Guards 1 Commander of the Post 7 Firing Squad 1 Commander of the Firing Squad 6 Casketbearers

Military Cortege

1. Band 2. Escort (including firing party and bugler) 3. Colors and guard 4. Clergy 5. Caisson and Casketbearers 6. Honorary Casketbearers (if any) 7. Family and Friends

How many folds are used to make the triangle?

12 Flag is folded during TAPS

There are _____ National Cemeteries

125

Where can you get a flag for a veteran's funeral?

1st, 2nd, 3rd, or 4th class post office. Decedent arrives to funeral home with a flag if they are being released from VA hospital

How long does informant have to claim military burial benefits

2 years after death or cremation VA form 21530

A military funeral consists of a ___ person funeral detail

21

After the completion of the last prayers there is a ____ _____ _____.

21 gun salute

When a veterans organization is in charge of the military service there could be as few as ___ to ___ individuals to conduct the service.

3-4

Who is the contact person for the Knights of Pythias

Chancellor Commander

Who is the contact person for the Maccabbes

Commander

Who is the contact person for the Woodmen of the World

Consul Commander

Who is the contact person for the Modern Woodmen of America

Consul, Master of Ceremonies

Who is the contact person for the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks?

Exalted Ruler

Who is the contact person for the Knights of Columbus

Grand Knight

Who is the contact person for the National Grange

Master

Who is the contact person for the Masons-Free and Accepted

Master of the Lodge

Who is the contact person for the Independent Order of Odd Fellows

Noble Grand

Who is the contact person for the Rebekah's

Noble Grand

Who is the contact person for the Order of the Eastern Star?

Officers of the Lodge

Who are eligible for VA benefits?

Spouses and dependents, unmarried children less than 21 years of age, full time student dependents less than 23 years of age, unmarried adult children who are physically or mentally incapable of supporting themselves

Who is the contact person for the Royal Neighbors of America

The Oracle

After the 21 gun salute what happens

The bugler plays taps during the folding of the flag, which would then be presented to the spouse or next of kin

Procedure for handling the flag during and after the commital service

The flag is held waist high by members of the particular veteran's organization during the committal service and following the service, the members fold the flag and present it to the spouse or next of kin.

Who is the contact person for the Fraternal Order of Eagles?

Worthy President, Worthy Chaplain

When a flag is transported with the deceased by common carrier

a) the flag should be folded and placed in a carton secured inside the shipping receptacle b) the flag should be draped over the casket when placed int he shipping receptacle

How is the flag placed on a half couch casket

arrange the flag in three layers (10 inch folds) to cover the closed half of the casket. The blue field will be the top layer on the deceased's left. tuck the white margin along the hoist of the flag under, so that only the blue field and the stripes show

The flag should never be used

as a receptacle for receiving, holding, carrying or delivering anything

The flag should never

be fastened, displayed, used or stowed n such a manner as will permit it to be easily torn, soiled, or damaged in any way

The flag should not:

be lowered into the grave or allowed to touch the ground. When taken from the casket it should be folded immediately

A Military Funeral may include:

both a chapel service and a graveside service, or only the committal service at the graveside

In most cases where does a veterans organization funeral take place?

cemetery

How is the flag placed on a closed casket

center the flag on the casket so that the blue field is at the head and over the left shoulder of the deceased

What makes a veteran ineligible for a military funeral, or military benefits for funeral?

dishonorable discharge, federal or state capital crime

Where does the family sit?

first row, right

How is the flag placed on a full couch casket

fold the flag into a triangle and place it in the casket cap just above the left shoulder of the deceased

The flag should:

form a distinctive feature of the ceremony of a statue or monument unvieilng, but it should never be used as a covering or drape for an item to be unveiled

Where do the casket bearers sit?

front row, left