Veteran funeral program template — with the honors in their place

How military honors usually fit into the service

Military funeral honors for an eligible veteran are typically rendered at the committal — the graveside or the columbarium — after the religious or civil service, though some families arrange them at the chapel. A program usually lists the service itself first, in whatever order the church or funeral home provides, and then the committal with the honors set out as guests will see them: the flag, already draped on the casket or folded beside the urn, is unfolded and held by the honor guard; Taps is sounded by a bugler or a recording; the flag is folded and presented to the next of kin with a few spoken words of thanks on behalf of the nation. Some services include a rifle volley beforehand.

The funeral director usually arranges the honors with the veteran's branch and can tell you exactly what will be rendered and in what order. Enter it as they describe it. We are not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. government, the Department of Veterans Affairs or any branch of the armed forces; this page describes what families commonly see so they can write the program, and the funeral director and the honor guard decide what happens on the day.

What to put on the cover and in the obituary

Most families put the branch, rank and dates of service directly beneath the name and dates on the cover, sometimes with a unit or a war — "Vietnam, 1969–1970". In the obituary, service is usually told as part of the life story: when they enlisted or were drafted, where they trained and served, any decorations they were proud of, and what they did after. Veterans who did not speak much about their service are often remembered by their families for exactly that, and a line saying so belongs.

On the back page, alongside the pallbearers and the acknowledgement, families often thank the honor guard, the veterans' organization that took part, or the VA hospital that cared for them. A verse, a line from a service hymn, or the words "Rest easy, your watch is over" are common closings. The what to include guide has wording for each section.

Printing, and the pieces around the program

The program downloads as print-ready PDFs — one for a print shop with bleed and crop marks, one for a home printer at exact size — and how to print a funeral program explains both. Prayer cards in the same design are handed out at the visitation; a welcome sign on an easel at the entrance carries the same photo and flag; bookmarks go home with guests. All of it is made from the details you entered for the program.