One page your family will be glad to have.

The first 48 hours

1. Tell the funeral director the deceased was a veteran and that you want military funeral honors. Honors aren't automatic. The funeral director requests them from the branch of service.
2. Give a copy of the DD-214, never the original. No DD-214? The funeral director can request records quickly from the National Archives with form D791.
3. Allow at least 48 hours between the request and the service. Honors include at least two uniformed members, the folding and presentation of the flag, and Taps.
4. Ask for the burial flag (VA Form 27-2008). The funeral director usually gets it.
5. For a VA national cemetery, the funeral home calls the National Cemetery Scheduling Office. Bring the pre-need letter if there is one.
6. Ask about a rifle volley or pallbearers from a local American Legion or VFW post. Someone has to ask.

In the weeks after

1. Order a headstone, marker or medallion from the VA, free for eligible veterans in any cemetery.
2. Request a Presidential Memorial Certificate (VA Form 40-0247). Family and friends can request more than one.
3. Ask about burial allowances and survivor benefits. A county veterans service officer helps families apply, at no cost.
4. Add their story and photos to their free VA memorial page at vlm.cem.va.gov.
5. Gather the story while memories are fresh. Photos, letters and family memories become their memorial book.

Who to call