Planning a Veteran Funeral: Honors, Burial Options and Paperwork
Sedalia – – October 13, 2026 -- Families planning a veteran funeral can request military honors, a government-provided headstone or marker, and possibly burial allowances, but none of these benefits is automatic. A HelloNation guide featuring Brad Rea of Rea Funeral Home in Sedalia, Missouri, walks through the options and the steps needed to claim them.
Military honors include the flag and Taps
The folded American flag is presented to the family as a symbol of the nation's gratitude. Depending on eligibility, honors may also include the playing of Taps and a ceremonial flag presentation by uniformed service members. They are available for both cremation and traditional burials.