Standard military funeral honors
All veterans discharged under conditions other than dishonorable are entitled to military funeral honors at no cost to the family (10 U.S.C. § 1491). The Department of Defense funeral honors program guarantees the following at every U.S. Air Force veteran funeral:
- Two-person honor guard in service dress
- Folding and presentation of the U.S. flag
- Playing of Taps
- Missing Man flyover when arranged through base operations
- Three-volley salute by firing detail when available
Signature U.S. Air Force tradition
The Missing Man Formation flyover — four aircraft in a finger-four formation, with the second-from-right aircraft pulling up and away — is the Air Force's signature tribute to fallen aviators. Available at family request through the deceased's last unit or nearest active base.
Music played at services
The U.S. Air Force ('Off We Go Into the Wild Blue Yonder')
The flag fold and presentation
The 13-fold concludes with presentation: "On behalf of the President of the United States, the United States Air Force, and a grateful nation..." Air Force airmen receive the same triangular fold as all branches.
Notable cemetery
Arlington; Air Force Memorial Columbarium (Arlington) is among the cemeteries most closely associated with U.S. Air Force interments. Eligibility is the same as for all VA national cemeteries: qualifying veterans receive plot, opening and closing, perpetual care, and a government headstone or marker at no cost.
How to request honors
The funeral home coordinates the honors detail. The home contacts the deceased's last unit (or the nearest active-duty U.S. Air Force installation) and submits a DD-214 to confirm eligibility. The honors detail is provided at no cost; the family selects the date and time, and the detail arrives ahead of the service.
For requests less than 72 hours from service time, the family can call 1-877-MIL-HONR (1-877-645-4667) directly to expedite scheduling.
Benefits beyond honors
Military funeral honors are one component of veteran burial benefits. Eligible U.S. Air Force veterans may also qualify for:
- Burial at a VA national cemetery (free, including spouse and dependents)
- VA burial allowance (currently $948 base for non-service-connected death)
- Plot allowance and interment allowance for non-VA cemeteries
- Government-furnished headstone or marker (any cemetery)
- Presidential Memorial Certificate signed by the sitting President
See the VA benefits guide for current dollar amounts and full eligibility criteria.