Eligibility

• In order to qualify for military funeral honors, both veterans and current members of the armed forces must be considered "eligible."
  
  Eligibility extends to military members on active duty or in the reserves; former active duty members who were not dishonorably discharged; former reserve members who completed at least one term of enlistment or period of obligated service and were not dishonorably discharged; and former reserve members who were discharged due to injury in the line of duty.
  
  

Playing of Taps

• The modern "Taps" call originated during the Civil War with Brigadier General Daniel Butterfield, who enlisted the help of a bugler to create the new call during the summer of 1862. Within a year, it was widespread throughout the western armies. Today, the tune is played in the U.S. Army, the National Guard and at the conclusion of military funerals across the country. There are no official words to the tune, but several lyrical versions have cropped up over the years.
  
  

Flag Folding

• After the playing of Taps, the members of the honor guard fold an American flag for presentation to the deceased veteran's family.
  
  To properly fold the flag, one person at each end holds it waist high, parallel to the ground. The first fold is lengthwise. Then, starting with the striped end, the flag is folded in a "triangle" pattern. The striped lower corner of the folded edge is brought up diagonally to meet the top of the flag, creating a new point on the end. The triangle fold is repeated until only a triangle of blue stars is visible.
  
  

Flag Presentation

• After the flag is folded, a member of the honor guard stands facing the family member designated to receive the flag, holding the folded flag waist-high with the straight edge facing the recipient. The honor guard member then kneels on one knee and solemnly presents the flag.
  
  During the presentation, the honor guard member speaks to the family. Presentation ceremony wording varies according to the veteran's service: Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force or Coast Guard. After the presentation of the flag, the funeral is concluded.