What U.S. Navy 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. Navy detail can include:
- An honor guard of at least two uniformed service members
- Folding and presentation of the U.S. flag
- Taps
- Eight bells, the Navy's sign that a watch has ended
- A rifle volley or pallbearers, when a detail is available
U.S. Navy funeral traditions
Eight bells are often rung at the end of a Navy funeral to say the sailor's watch is over. On a ship, eight bells marks the end of a four-hour watch.
Music played at services
"Anchors Aweigh" and the Navy Hymn, "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 Navy, and a grateful nation..." Eligible veterans can also be buried at sea from a Navy ship.
Where U.S. Navy veterans are buried
Many U.S. Navy veterans are buried at Arlington National Cemetery, and burial at sea for active-duty sailors and eligible veterans, 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. Navy funeral honors?
Ask the funeral director. They request the honors detail from the U.S. Navy 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. Navy burial benefits
Burial benefits come from VA, not the branch, and are the same for every branch. An eligible U.S. Navy 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.