MILITARY FUNERAL HONORS INFO
Military Funeral Honors Section
3280 Russell Road
Quantico, VA 22134-5102
Comm: (703) 432-9524
Toll Free: (866) 826-3628
Email: funeral.honors@usmc.mil
The Headquarters Marine Corps, Funeral Honors Section assists the family of deceased Marines in arranging military funeral honors for their loved one. The service member must have served in, or with, the Marine Corps and have been discharged under honorable conditions. Funeral directors making requests for military honors must notify the Casualty Branch by telephone with the Marines complete name; social security number; rank; status, i.e. retired or former Marine; date of birth; date of death; and place of death (city and state). If a funeral director is unable to obtain a copy of the Marines Certificate of Discharge from Active Duty (DD Form 214) or verification of service from the family member, they may request the form from the National Personnel Records Center, St. Louis, MO. The telephone number is (314) 538-3154. The fax number is (314) 538-3115.
The Personnel Records Center requires the use of the Military Records Request form (Standard Form 180) for requests of this nature. This form is available through the National Archives website. If a Standard Form 180 is not available, the National Personnel Records Center will require the Marines name, social security number and/or service number, rank, date of member birth and dates of service.
Family members are encouraged to provide the funeral director with a copy of their Marine’s DD Form 214 to ensure military funeral arrangements are reserved.
MILITARY FUNERAL HONORS
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q: Who is entitled to military funeral honors?
A: Those Marines, active duty, reserve, retired, or former whose last period of service was honorable.
Q: Do you need any paperwork as proof of services?
A: We will need some form of documentation that the individual did serve in their last capacity with the military service in an honorable status. This can be found on separations paper work or the form DD-Form 214.
Q: How do I get a copy of the DD-Form 214 for my deceased family member?
A: You will need to contact the National Personal Record Center (NPRC) in St. Louis MO. The phone number to NPRC is (314)538-3155 or you can write to NPRC, 9700 Page Blvd, St Louis, MO 63132.
Q: Can I get a fly over of military planes in honor of my deceased family member?
A: Military fly over for Marines are reserved solely for the funeral ceremony of a deceased, active duty pilot who died in an aviation related incident.
Q: Who can request military funeral honors for a deceased Marine?
A: Only funeral honors requests from next of kin or from the funeral director on behalf of the next of kin will be honored.
Q: Can I get military funeral honors performed by the Marines if the deceased did not serve with the Marine Corps?
A: Yes, but only if the parent service in which the deceased member served in can not perform the funeral. Additionally a request in writing must be mailed to the Marine Corps requesting assistance in performing the funeral honors.
Q: What type of honors can I receive for my deceased family member?
A: You will receive 3 members to perform the service, and at a minimum, the service will contain a flag folding ceremony and flag presentation and the playing of TAPS. In addition where available, a firing detail and pall bearers will be assigned.
