The Graveside Sequence For Funeral Directors Part 3

The military funeral with cremated remains, “cremains”.

Sequence

1. The honor guard, as few as two members or as many as six, arrives one hour before the ceremony and makes a couple of dry runs in their travel uniform.
2. Fifteen to 20 minutes before the funeral, the team changes into their ceremonial uniform and forms up each element, pall bearers should face the grave.
3. When the family arrives in the cemetery, the team should “tighten up”.
4. At 100 yards out, team leadership calls everyone to attention.
5. At 50 yards out, key members render a hand salute.
6. The hearse, say, “coach” in front of the family, or a car pulls up with the cremains and flag. Salutes are dropped. For a coach, the cremains and folded casket flag may be located in the rear where the casket goes, if a car, the cremains will be located on the back seat and the funeral director will open both back doors.
7. The family and guests exit their vehicles and gather around the coach or car. The funeral director signals the commander of the team to begin.
8. The pallbearers remove the cremains (travels on left side in vehicle or in hands) and flag (travels on right side) transport the casket to the grave all elements render a salute.
9. The pallbearers place the cremains and flag on a table, all elements (if any) drop their salutes and the pallbearers step back and wait to begin military honors.
10. Military Veteran Funeral: When signaled, the pallbearers step back in, one picks up the flag and the other waits for the flag. They both unfold and then refold the flag and present it to the NOK. With Taps: The pallbearer who does not present can go off and sound Taps which then signals the pallbearer with the flag to present it to the NOK.
11. Military Retiree Funeral: When signaled, the pallbearers step back in, one picks up the flag and the other waits for the flag. They both unfold the flag to “Tabletop” which signals the firing party to fire the Three-Volley Salute which is followed by the sounding of Taps. The pallbearers then refold and present the flag to the NOK.
12. The Honor Guard departs.

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