What U.S. Coast Guard funeral honors include
Veterans discharged under conditions other than dishonorable can have military funeral honors at no cost to the family (10 U.S.C. § 1491). The law guarantees an honor guard of at least two uniformed service members who fold and present the U.S. flag and play Taps. Anything beyond that depends on who is available. What the law requires. A U.S. Coast Guard detail can include:
- An honor guard of at least two uniformed service members
- Folding and presentation of the U.S. flag
- Taps
- A ship's bell rung for the departed, at some services
- A rifle volley, when a firing party is available
U.S. Coast Guard funeral traditions
Coast Guard funerals share many customs with the Navy. A bell may be rung for the departed, and the hymn "Eternal Father, Strong to Save" is often sung.
Music played at services
"Semper Paratus" and "Eternal Father, Strong to Save"
Folding and presenting the flag
After the 13 folds, the flag is presented with the words: "On behalf of the President of the United States, the United States Coast Guard, and a grateful nation..." Eligible Coast Guard veterans can also be buried at sea.
Where U.S. Coast Guard veterans are buried
Many U.S. Coast Guard veterans are buried at Arlington National Cemetery, but any VA national cemetery with space is open to them on the same terms. An eligible veteran gets the gravesite, opening and closing of the grave, perpetual care and a government headstone or marker at no cost. Find a VA cemetery.
How do you request U.S. Coast Guard funeral honors?
Ask the funeral director. They request the honors detail from the U.S. Coast Guard for you and send the veteran's DD214 to confirm eligibility. You set the date and time of the service; the detail costs nothing.
VA suggests contacting the service branch at least 48 to 72 hours before the service. More on how to request military funeral honors.
U.S. Coast Guard burial benefits
Burial benefits come from VA, not the branch, and are the same for every branch. An eligible U.S. Coast Guard veteran may also qualify for:
- Burial in a VA national cemetery at no cost, for the veteran and an eligible spouse and dependent children
- VA burial allowance (currently $1,032 for a non-service-connected death on or after October 1, 2026)
- Plot allowance and interment allowance for non-VA cemeteries
- Government-furnished headstone or marker (any cemetery)
- A Presidential Memorial Certificate signed by the current President
The VA burial benefits guide has the current amounts, who qualifies and how to claim.