I have a friend who died from covid this week and he is a Navy vet. Who does his family need to contact to get a flag for his coffin?

SPC Michael Brink — Thu, 09 Dec 2021 00:02:32 -0500

Response by SSG John Oliver made Dec 9 at 2021 12:07 AM

SSG John Oliver — Thu, 09 Dec 2021 00:07:58 -0500

The funeral home should take care of that when a DD 214 is produced. I'm sorry for your loss

Response by SPC Nancy Greene made Dec 9 at 2021 12:54 AM

SPC Nancy Greene — Thu, 09 Dec 2021 00:54:42 -0500

Sorry for your loss SPC Michael Brink.
When my Dad passed, I called the VA and they assisted with the Military burial.
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Response by CPT Lawrence Cable made Dec 9 at 2021 5:34 AM

CPT Lawrence Cable — Thu, 09 Dec 2021 05:34:50 -0500

The funeral home director normally takes care of all of that. However, the Flag is available at your Local Post Office free of charge, just fill out the form. Funeral Honors for the Army can be arranged through Casualty Assistance at Ft. Knox. Ask for or Google Funeral Honors. They can supply an Honor Guard, perform the Flag Folding, sound Taps and provide a Firing Party for Volley Fire.
Here is the same assistance from the Navy. https://www.cnic.navy.mil/regions/cnrsw/om/funeral-honors/u-s--navy-regions.html

U.S. Navy Regions and Points of Contact

Response by Lt Col Scott Shuttleworth made Dec 9 at 2021 9:13 AM

Lt Col Scott Shuttleworth — Thu, 09 Dec 2021 09:13:04 -0500

Usually the Funeral Home takes care of that...that is the way around here. They handled it all.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 9 at 2021 10:31 AM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 09 Dec 2021 10:31:27 -0500

When my mom passed my sister a local group in WA state. I believe it was through the National Guard. She handled the arrangements as she had the power of attorney and was the executor of the will.

What I did find is https://www.va.gov/opal/nac/sdc/faqBurialFlags.asp.

You should also look at https://dd214.us/funeral

You can ask at your local Legion or VFW post as well.

VA.gov | Veterans Affairs

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Dec 9 at 2021 12:29 PM

SGM Bill Frazer — Thu, 09 Dec 2021 12:29:18 -0500

The funeral director has the forms, they are submitted thru the USPS. Either they (USPS) or the VA can issue it.

Response by SMSgt Bob W. made Dec 9 at 2021 12:55 PM

SMSgt Bob W. — Thu, 09 Dec 2021 12:55:10 -0500

Sorry for your loss. Usually the funeral home will handle it. They will need to see the DD214. Will the burial be in a national cemetery?

Response by CW3 Kevin Storm made Dec 9 at 2021 2:53 PM

CW3 Kevin Storm — Thu, 09 Dec 2021 14:53:41 -0500

I can say that the funeral home took care of that for my GF's father.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Dec 9 at 2021 3:14 PM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Thu, 09 Dec 2021 15:14:07 -0500

You don't have to contact anyone for a flag, they sell flags at Walmart. Are you trying to arrange a burial detail? That's a pretty different story. The details on that are below.

https://www.va.gov/burials-memorials/schedule-a-burial/

Schedule a burial for a Veteran or family member | Veterans Affairs

Find out how to make burial plans for a Veteran, spouse, or dependent family member.

Response by Sgt Jim Belanus made Dec 9 at 2021 7:06 PM

Sgt Jim Belanus — Thu, 09 Dec 2021 19:06:29 -0500

funeral home should handle that with a 214

Response by LTC Ken Bowers made Dec 10 at 2021 9:06 AM

LTC Ken Bowers — Fri, 10 Dec 2021 09:06:14 -0500

Provide a copy of his DD 214 to the funeral home and they will provide the Coffin Flag. The funeral home is also supposed to make and submit the application to the VA for the foot stone.

Response by SPC Michael Brink made Dec 18 at 2021 10:19 PM

SPC Michael Brink — Sat, 18 Dec 2021 22:19:34 -0500

Thanks everyone for the replies. My friends family decided to keep it very private. I guess that was his wishes as well. I'll pass along the info though.