If the person you are honoring served in the military, your family may request funeral honors from the government at no cost. Families planning a private ceremony at sea can still ask for these honors. Here is how the request works and which documents help.
Under 10 U.S.C. § 1491, on request, an eligible veteran receives a funeral honors detail of at least two uniformed members, at least one from the veteran's own branch. At minimum, the detail folds and presents the U.S. flag and plays Taps. Military OneSource describes these as the three core elements; other elements such as a color guard, rifles, or a flyover depend on eligibility, availability, and approval.
According to Military OneSource, eligibility includes members who die on active duty, veterans discharged under honorable conditions, and certain members and former members of the Selected Reserve. To establish eligibility, you need the DD Form 214 or another discharge document showing honorable service.
If you cannot find the discharge papers, next of kin can request them from the National Personnel Records Center through the National Archives, online or with Standard Form 180. Proof of death is required, such as a death certificate, a funeral home letter, or an obituary. The Archives offers faster handling for burial requests.
For more on honoring service at sea, see military veterans and burial at sea and the eight bells tradition. For a memorial marker, see VA memorial headstones for veterans scattered at sea.
This is general information, not legal advice. Confirm current rules with the cited source or an attorney.