The brave men and women who serve this country are afforded special honors both while there alive and even after they pass away. If you’re planning a final service for a loved one who had served their country honorably, you can count on a funeral home in Washington Township, MI to help. One of the honors extended to veterans is a burial flag to be draped over their caskets. Here’s a look at what you need to know about burial flags if planning a final service for a veteran.

What’s the Cost for a Burial Flag?

A free U.S. flag is provided to drape over the casket of a veteran or to accompany the urn of a deceased veteran who served in the U.S. Armed Forces honorably. Veterans Affairs will provide a burial flag for a veteran who served their control during wartime, a veteran who passed away on active duty after May 27, 1941, a veteran who served after January 31, 1955, a peacetime veteran discharged or released prior to John 27, 1950, and to certain other veteran classifications.

Who Can Receive the Burial Flag?

In general, the flag is provided to the next-of-kin, as a keepsake, following its usage throughout the funeral program or cremation program. When there’s no next-of-kin, Veterans Affairs will furnish the flag to a friend of the deceased if it’s requested. Family members of veterans who are buried at Veterans Affairs national cemeteries that have an Avenue of Flags can donate the burial flags to these cemeteries. The flags will be flown on patriotic holidays.

What’s the Application Process Like?

You can apply for a burial flag by completing the VA Form 27-2008, Application for United States Flag for Burial Purposes. The funeral director who helps you plan the final service will be able to assist you in applying for the burial flag.

How Should the Burial Flag be Displayed?

The way the burial flag is displayed will depend on whether it’s a closed-casket funeral service or an open-casket funeral service. The VA Form 27-2008 explains the right way to both display and fold the burial flag.

Is it Possible to Replace a Burial Flag?

It is not possible to get a replacement burial flag from Veterans Affairs whether the original one has been misplaced, stolen, or damaged. Even so, some veterans’ associations or other groups might be able to help to get a replacement flag.

If you want to plan a final service for a loved one who had served this country honorably, you’ll want to find a funeral home serving Washington Township, MI families. Get in touch and allow us to help you arrange an honorable final send-off for your loved one. And, yes, we’ll help you get the burial flag your need. Whether you want to discuss memorials, traditional and contemporary funerals, cremations, caskets or urns, burial vaults, cremation jewelry, veteran’s discounts, or anything else, we can help. For the assistance you require, give us a call, pay us a visit, or check us out online at https://www.lee-ellenafuneralhome.com/.