Veteran Benefits
Presidential Memorial Certificate & Military Funeral Honors
Beyond a headstone and burial, the nation offers three lasting honors for a veteran: a Presidential Memorial Certificate signed by the President, military funeral honors with the folding and presentation of the flag and the playing of Taps, and a burial flag for the family to keep. These are free, they are earned, and a family that knows to ask will not miss them in the rush of grief.
Who this is for
When a veteran passes, the country still owes them a proper farewell: a flag folded and placed in a loved one's hands, the sound of Taps, and a certificate signed by the President. These honors are free and earned - but a grieving family has to know to ask for them.
In plain language
What Presidential Memorial Certificate & Military Funeral Honors covers
- Presidential Memorial Certificate (VA Form 40-0247)
- Military funeral honors - flag folding and Taps
- The burial flag (VA Form 27-2008)
- How to arrange it all through a funeral director
Form 40-0247
Requests the Presidential Memorial Certificate signed by the President
2+ members
The funeral honors detail that folds and presents the flag
Form 27-2008
Requests the free U.S. burial flag for the family to keep
The full picture
Everything you need to know
Nothing hidden behind a click. Here is the whole story in plain language, so you can decide what fits your situation.
Key facts & current figures
- A Presidential Memorial Certificate (PMC) is an engraved paper certificate signed by the current President honoring a deceased veteran's service - request it with VA Form 40-0247, with no limit on the number of copies.
- Military Funeral Honors are provided by the Department of Defense (not the VA): at least two uniformed service members, the folding and presentation of the U.S. flag, and the playing of Taps.
- Every eligible veteran is entitled to a burial flag to drape the casket or accompany the urn - request it with VA Form 27-2008 (most funeral homes handle this for you).
- Funeral honors are arranged through your funeral director, who contacts the branch of service; a copy of the DD-214 is the key document.
- These honors are free and are separate from - and can be combined with - VA burial allowances and national-cemetery burial.
General figures, current as of December 2025 and reviewed each year. Your exact amount depends on your situation - always confirm on va.gov.
The Presidential Memorial Certificate
- A PMC is an engraved paper certificate bearing the signature of the current President, expressing the nation's gratitude for the veteran's service.
- Any eligible veteran or reservist who qualifies for burial in a VA national cemetery is eligible; the requester can be next of kin, a relative, a close friend, or an authorized representative.
- There is no limit on the number of certificates - families often request copies for each child and grandchild.
Military funeral honors - the flag and Taps
- By law the Department of Defense provides a detail of at least two uniformed service members to fold and present the U.S. flag to the next of kin and to sound Taps (live or recorded).
- At least one member is from the veteran's own branch of service when possible; honors are provided for eligible veterans, not only those who die on active duty.
- Your funeral director arranges this - the earlier you ask, the easier it is to schedule the honor detail.
The burial flag
- The VA furnishes a U.S. burial flag at no cost to drape the casket or accompany the urn, then given to the next of kin as a keepsake.
- Request it with VA Form 27-2008; the form is available at VA offices, most funeral homes, and U.S. Post Offices.
- Only one burial flag is issued per veteran, so decide in advance which family member will keep it.
How to submit Form 40-0247
- Online: use the request tool or QuickSubmit on the AccessVA website.
- Mail the form with copies to the NCA Evidence Intake Center, PO Box 5237, Janesville, WI 53547; fax to 800-455-7143; or hand it in at any VA regional office.
- Include copies of the veteran's DD-214 (discharge papers) and the death certificate to speed the decision - and send copies only.
Your complete benefit picture
Three earned honors
A certificate signed by the President, the folding and presentation of the flag with the playing of Taps, and a burial flag to keep - all free, all earned by service. A family only has to know to ask, and the funeral director can arrange most of it. Confirm details on va.gov.
Ask before the service, not after
The flag-folding moment cannot be repeated once the service has passed
Military funeral honors are provided by the Department of Defense and arranged through your funeral director - tell them early which branch the veteran served and hand over a copy of the DD-214.
For veterans buried in a national cemetery the Presidential Memorial Certificate is usually automatic, but for a private cemetery or for extra copies you must file Form 40-0247.
Send copies only
Include copies of the DD-214 and death certificate with Form 40-0247 - the VA will not return original documents.
No limit on certificates
Families can request a certificate for each child and grandchild, so ask for as many as you need.
A clear path forward
Your step-by-step action plan
No rush and no pressure - but a little order helps. Applying is always free.
First
Tell the funeral director
Give them the veteran's branch and a copy of the DD-214 and request military funeral honors - the flag folding and Taps.
Flag
Request the burial flag
File VA Form 27-2008 (many funeral homes and post offices have it) to receive the U.S. flag for the casket or urn.
Certificate
Submit Form 40-0247
Request the Presidential Memorial Certificate online through AccessVA, by mail, by fax, or in person - with copies of the DD-214 and death certificate.
Keep
Order extra copies
There is no limit, so request additional certificates for children and grandchildren to preserve the honor.
Who to call & where to go
These are free, official VA lines. Have your Social Security number handy when you call.
National Cemetery Scheduling Office
Schedule a burial in a VA national cemetery.
MyVA411 - Main VA Line
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702-992-4883Not sure where to start?
For military funeral honors, tell your funeral director the veteran's branch and give them a copy of the DD-214 - they contact the service to schedule the honor detail. Request the burial flag with VA Form 27-2008 (available at any VA office, most funeral homes, and USPS post offices). For the Presidential Memorial Certificate, submit VA Form 40-0247 - online through AccessVA, by mail to the NCA Evidence Intake Center, PO Box 5237, Janesville, WI 53547, by fax to 800-455-7143, or in person at a VA regional office - and include copies of the DD-214 and death certificate.
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