Military Funeral Honors
Boston Area Honor Guard Instruction - Base Boston Metro Area Honor Guard June 2015 Instruction 5060.1
Military Casualties and Decedent Affairs - COMDTINST M1770.9
Requests for Honor Guard:
We require at least 72 hours notice to facilitate the Honor Guard Funeral Details submitted request. Scan and email the request form to BaseBostonhonorguard@uscg.mil. If you send your request after business hours (weekends or after 1600 weekdays), please call 617-990-6249 for confirmation of received request.
All funeral and burial at sea requests must be scanned and sent to address listed above. Fax machine requests will no longer be available.
We need a copy of the DD-214 or discharge papers along with the request form or we will not be able to process your request.
Due to extremely limited resources, we are not always able to provide a bugler to play Taps, however, we make every effort to do so. Please understand if we are not able to provide one in your case. We will have a recording of taps at every funeral where we were not able to locate a bugler.
Area of Responsibility
| Maine |
All Counties |
| Vermont |
All Counties |
| New Hampshire |
All Counties |
| Massachusetts |
All Counties |
| Connecticut |
All Counties |
| New York |
Counties: Albany, Broome, Chemung, Chenango, Clinton, Columbia, Cortland, Delaware, Dutchess, Essex, Franklin, Fulton, Greene, Hamilton, Herkimer, Lewis, Madison, Montgomery, New York City, Oneida, Onondaga, Otsego, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady, Schoharie, Schuyler, St. Lawrence, Sullivan, Tioga, Tompkins, Ulster, Warren, Washington
For all other counties, call: (216) 902-6269 |
| New Jersey |
Counties: Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, Passaic, Somerset, Sussex, Warren
For all other counties, call: (757)686-4116 |
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Resources for funeral homes
Where can I find a flag?
Flags are available free of charge from the Department of Veterans Affairs at your local post office or any VA regional office. You must fill out VA form 21-2008 and bring it to either the post office of VA office, where you will be given a flag. Please see the Department of Veterans Affairs website for more information.
Where can I provide feedback on the Honor Guard?
We would love to hear from you! Positive feedback or notifying us of areas where we can improve is always welcome. Please call 617-990-6249 with your comments.
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Burials At Sea
All burials at sea conducted within the First District are limited to the scattering of cremains (cremated remains) only. The Coast Guard can bury any citizen of the United States who has not been convicted of a felony. Proper documentation must be provided by the next of kin which includes:
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Photocopy of DD-214, Retirement Certificate, or Honorable Discharge (if prior military).
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Certificate stating the requestor is the NOK or has authority to dispose of the remains.
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Letter giving permission for the Coast Guard to perform the burial at sea. The letter must state where and when they would like the honors to take place.
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Family members at ceremony:
A maximum of 6 members may attend. However, the unit conducting the Burial at Sea will determine how many people may attend. Depending on the unit and operational schedule, fewer or no attendees may be allowed. If you are interested in having more than 6 people attend your Burial at Sea, a contracted commercial boat would be the avenue to pursue (however, they will charge you for the services). Any vessel can perform a Burial at Sea as long as the adhere to the EPA regulations, reference web-link below.
A wreath may be placed into the water as long as the EPA regulations are adhered to, reference web-link below.
EPA website for burials at sea
Upon completion of the ceremony, the Sector coordinator will send a letter to the family stating where and when the ceremony took place. A copy of this letter should be sent to the regional coordinator as closure for the file.
Contact: For assistance, contact 617-990-6249.
Base Boston
427 Commercial St.
Boston, MA 02109