Honoring Veterans: Special Funeral and Memorial Services

Honoring a veteran goes far beyond protocol. It is about storytelling, symbolism, and support. Families want more than a standard funeral, they seek ceremonies that highlight service history, reflect military traditions, and preserve legacies for future generations. 

Funeral homes that serve veterans must understand military culture, benefits eligibility, and the symbolic elements that bring comfort to families. From flag presentations to rifle salutes, these details offer solace and recognition during a time of loss. 

Military honors provide one of the most powerful and emotional components of a veteran’s farewell. Depending on the branch and status of the veteran, honors may include: 

• Folding and presenting the American flag to the next of kin 
• Performance of Taps by a bugler or recorded audio 
• Rifle volley by a military or honor guard team 
• Honor guard presence from a local veterans’ organization 

These traditions hold deep significance and are tailored based on service records and family preferences. Funeral directors ensure these protocols are handled with precision and respect. 

Funeral homes in Allentown provide guidance on choosing the appropriate resting place for veterans, including both public and private cemetery options. 

Common Choices Include: 

• National Veterans Cemeteries: These offer perpetual care, uniform headstones, and a serene setting among fellow service members.
• State Veterans Cemeteries: Managed at the state level, these provide similar benefits and may be more convenient for local families. 
• Private Cemetery with Military Section: Some private cemeteries offer designated areas for veterans, often allowing family members to be interred nearby. 

Burial planning includes coordinating grave liners or vaults, selecting markers, and arranging committal services. Funeral homes handle communication with cemetery personnel to ensure seamless planning. 

Grieving the loss of a veteran is layered. It includes not only personal mourning but also community recognition and historical connections. Families often feel a strong sense of pride, and funeral homes help channel that pride into healing ceremonies. 

Grief support offered by funeral homes may include: 

• Referrals to counseling for veteran spouses and children 
• Invitations to annual remembrance events or flag retirement ceremonies 
• Assistance in accessing survivors' benefits or pension continuation 
• Creation of digital memorial pages to share service stories with a wider network 

By continuing care beyond the funeral, providers offer long-term support that respects the enduring nature of military families’ sacrifices. 

Many veterans choose to pre-plan their services. Doing so ensures their military record is on file, service preferences are recorded, and benefits are secured in advance. 

Funeral homes offer pre-planning options including: 

• Filing discharge paperwork and pre-qualifying for cemetery placement 
• Choosing burial or cremation with military themes 
• Documenting preferred military rituals and personal touches 
• Coordinating payment plans or insurance options 

Pre-planning relieves the family from decision-making during grief and guarantees that the veteran’s wishes are honored. 

Veteran families in Allentown, PA can count on Falk Funeral Homes & Crematory Inc. for dignified services that honor lives of courage and service. Visit our website to explore how one of the most dedicated funeral homes Allentown, PA offers can support your family’s tribute to a hero.