Military Funerals - Writers Forum

Sam Winchester · 03-14-2008, 01:56 PM

In my latest novel, there's a funeral for the Director of the FBI. I was looking for a detailed breakdown of what would happen throughout. I know there'd be either a 21 gun salute or a 3 volley salute, although I'm not sure which. 'Taps' would be played too. I have a general idea of what happens, but not in what order it happens. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

Sam.

ieuan · 03-14-2008, 02:57 PM

21-gun salute - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Katastrof · 03-14-2008, 03:05 PM

Okay here's what I got:

If it is a military funeral then there will be an honor guard (referred to as the casket team but I think its still the honor guard) and a rifle guard. The honor guard consists of at least 2 members of the military (and in the your case would probably have FBI agents filling in the rest of the 6 man or 8 man guard) and one will have to be apart of the parent branch the deceased is from (not sure in your case...).

The honor guard travels with the actual casket and the rifle guard will already be at the cemetery. The rifle guard should consist of an odd numbered team (5,7 or 9). One member of the rifle guard will be the commander and it should be a non-commissioned officer (i.e a Sgt or higher). The NCOIC will tell the rifle guard what to do (so when to present arms, when to shoulder arms, and when to present a volley)

The order:

First the casket will arrive, then the casket will be moved to the grave. The honor guard will make sure the flag is centered on the casket (stars at the head) and then the service will begin. After the service is over a 21 gun salute will be fired (by guns; not rifles. So a small artillery piece.) but ONLY if the person is eligible. (I think the FBI director would be eligible because he is in a high government position, but I'm not really sure.)

Next, the rifle guard would present arms and then the NCOIC would call for a 3 volley salute. (If you want to know the command or the movement PM me.)

Once the volley is complete the burglar will play Taps. While that is going on the Last Salute will be given and the honor guard will start folding the flag. The OIC (Officer In Command), the NCOIC or the chaplain will give the folded up flag to the next of kin.

Everyone will leave after that except one lone guard who will act as a vigil to the casket until it is fully buried.

That's it.

Dan · 03-14-2008, 04:06 PM

Hey, Sam:

Getting the mechanics of a military funeral right is relatively simple with a bit of research. What you may struggle with is capturing the feeling of one. I've been to a couple, and they are VERY emotional, even more so than a civilian funeral. If the opportunity presents itself, I'd recommend attending one, if only to view it from a distance.

Taps never fails to choke me up.

P.S. I'm not quite sure that the FBI Director would get a military funeral, either. I'm still looking into that one.

P.P.S. Unless he's former military, that is.

Sam Winchester · 03-14-2008, 04:22 PM

Thanks for that, Katastrof, Dan. In regards to the FBI Director, he was, indeed, a former military officer. And Taps is a piece of music that, regardless of age, race, or religion, brings people to tears. I've only heard it on movies and TV shows, but I can understand why it is very emotional.

Sam.

Swamp Thing · 03-14-2008, 06:08 PM

Sam -

Having attended my brother's military funeral, I'll say it's moving in many, many ways. But there's also a sort of evil sense of tradition. Perhaps insidious is a better term. Tradition stifles emotion. Precision numbs everything. I won't go into it because I've still not come to terms with it (and it's been awhile). However, Tom Clancy writes about a military funeral in one of his books and it is about as good a description as I'd ever want to see written.

ST

Sam Winchester · 03-14-2008, 06:45 PM

Swamp Thing - Sorry for your loss. I think I know the book you're talking about, but I can't remember the name. Can anybody help me out with that one?

Sam.

Swamp Thing · 03-15-2008, 10:54 AM

Sam, I don't, but it was the novel in which James Greer, head of the CIA, died.

ST

playstation60 · 04-02-2008, 01:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sam Winchester

Thanks for that, Katastrof, Dan. In regards to the FBI Director, he was, indeed, a former military officer. And Taps is a piece of music that, regardless of age, race, or religion, brings people to tears. I've only heard it on movies and TV shows, but I can understand why it is very emotional.

Sam.

Until you've heard taps played in person for a funeral, you have no idea how powerful it is. It is beautiful and heart wrenching in the same.

Gives me goosebumps just thinking about it.