Veterans Services
Veterans Services in St. Louis
Listening to the wishes and needs of your family since 1953
While we help to plan many St. Louis funerals, all of which are unique and touching, funerals for our Veterans hold a special place in our hearts. Being able to help plan celebrations of life for those who have bravely served our country is an honor. With years of experience, we can assist families in creating unique services that honor their loved ones who served in a branch of our military.
Military Honors
Military honors are a beautiful ceremony that is a final show of respect to a veteran and their family. This is a long-standing tradition that dates to ancient Greece and Rome. Today US law dictates the rendering of military funeral honors for any eligible veteran if their family requests it. This honor is provided free of charge by The Department of Defense. If your loved one was a veteran, all you need to do is let our director know and we will take care of the rest for you.
Not sure the deceased is eligible for military honors? Those who are eligible include:
- Military members on active duty
- Retired military members
- Members, past and present, of the Selected Reserve
- U.S. Veterans of any war
- U.S. veterans who served at least one term of enlistment
Those who are not eligible for military honors include:
- Those who have been dishonorably discharged under any conditions
- Veterans that are imprisoned on a state or federal capital offense
What to Expect
Not sure what military honors are, but know that a family member is deserving of this honor? Military honors include a ceremony that is attended and performed by an honor guard at the burial of the veteran and there will be at least two branches of the Armed Forces in attendance. The ceremony will include the folding of a flag that is presented to the family and Taps will be played, often by a bugler, if there is one available.
Having helped plan many veteran’s funerals in St. Louis, we can help answer most questions families may have about military honors and what services are provided by the government. Many government benefits we can help families acquire, cost free, include but are not limited to:
- Cost free burial plot in a national cemetery
- Government issues Graveliner
- Opening and closing of a grave
- United States Flag
- Memorial Marker
- Military Honors
In some cases, transportation expenses will be reimbursed; our director will be able to provide more information about this during planning.