Veteran Funeral Services: What Do They Involve?

If a member of the British Armed Forces dies in action, whether in the Army, Royal Navy, Royal Marines or Royal Air Force, that person is entitled to a military funeral. Veterans are also entitled to a military funeral, but a veteran funeral service is not always fully state-funded like the funeral of one who died while in service. However, financial support may be available through the United Kingdom Service Personnel and Veterans Agency (SPVA). Putting aside the question of funding, it is a dearly held tradition to honour those who have served in the armed forces with a funeral that shows reverence for their service.

Eligible veterans include members of the military who are on active duty or in the Selected Reserve and former members of the military who left active duty under conditions other than dishonourable. To be eligible, a former military member must have completed at least one term of enlistment or period of initial obligated service in the Selected Reserve. And while veterans are entitled to military honours at their funerals, the level of military involvement is determined by the family of the veteran who has died.

When planning a Royal Navy, Royal Marines, Royal Air Force or Army veteran funeral, the funeral home will liaise with the Visiting Officer (VO) in order to make sure that military aspects of the funeral follow protocol. It is important to the UK Ministry of Defence that the traditions and ethos of the armed forces be maintained in a veteran funeral, but it is also the position of the MOD that families of veterans should have as little or as much assistance as they desire when planning the funeral. The style and content of the funeral will reflect the family’s wishes, and there is great flexibility as to how this can be structured.

Often, the family chooses to have a military bearer party and firing party. Elements like the dressing of the coffin, the procession, the role of the bearers, and the Last Post and Reveille are typically led by military traditions at a veteran’s funeral. Specifically, the coffin is draped with a Union Flag and carried by serving members of the armed forces. When there are military personnel bearing arms at a funeral, they will “reverse arms”, a marching movement that shows respect or mourning by lowering their eyes and holding weapons reversed and pointed at the ground.

A military funeral usually ends with The Post being played, followed by The Rouse. This is played from a recording, or by a Forces bugler. During the service, the family can choose any music that befits the situation, but there are specific funeral songs for veterans that honour their service, if this is desired.

Likewise, any readings that the family prefers are suitable, and it is easy to find a number of veteran funeral poems, or even a funeral prayer for a veteran, if that is the preference. The VO will be able to advice you on suitable prayers, songs, poems and passages.

Yes, and this is arranged by the VO. The Visiting Officer will typically oversee a full dress rehearsal the day before the funeral, with the coffin dressed by members of the armed forces, at the chapel of rest. The veteran’s cap, medals, belt, and a poppy wreath are also typically placed on the coffin, to be removed at the end of the ceremony and returned to a senior officer. If funeral attendees wish to show further honour to the military service of the person who has died, many florists offer special funeral flowers for veterans.

When you need help planning a veteran’s funeral, choose funeral services from a business with experience, compassion, and strong ties to the community. Founded in 2002 by Nigel Gillard, Bridgwater Funeral Services Limited, in the centre of Bridgwater, Somerset, is a family business that provides personal service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Nigel has been working in the funeral business for over 15 years, and his daughter Corrinne Foster, who is the highest qualified Funeral Director in the area, assists in running the business.

We are committed to taking care of all funeral arrangements, welcoming our clients into a professional, friendly environment, with a luxurious waiting room and a beautiful Chapel of Rest. We offer Green and Woodland burials, horse-drawn funerals, military funerals, and services in all religious denominations as well as non-religious and humanist life celebrations. We also offer low-cost funerals and Golden Charter pre-paid funeral plans.

If you have queries about the services we offer, or you just need help and advice, please do not hesitate to call us at 01278 457755, pop into our office on Bristol Road, or contact us through our website.