About

The Military Funeral Honors Program became a reality when the Governor signed into law the provisions of House Bill #1519 that was approved by the 1998 Missouri legislature. The Governor and the veterans of Missouri felt this was an extremely important program and have supported this program above other very worthwhile endeavors.

The basic provision of this legislation was to create a National Guard Trust Fund and appropriate funding in order for the Adjutant General of Missouri to provide military funeral honors for veterans when requested by family and/or friends. On July 1, 1999 this became a reality.

The veterans’ organizations of Missouri such as the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Veterans, Marine Corps League, and others provide military funeral honors and funeral rituals for numerous veterans each year. As part of the new legislation, these organizations are compensated at the rate of $100.00 per veteran’s service to assist in defraying expenses incurred by the Post/organization. Also, the Adjutant General has been directed to provide training in this area for any veterans’ organization that requests such training. Veteran’s organizations are involved in approximately 65% of all services conducted.

Active component services do a wonderful job of providing these honors for active and retired members. It is simply a matter of resources that dictate the limited amount of support available from them for veterans. They provide two representatives to sound taps and fold and present the American Flag to the next-of kin; however, rifle volleys are not provided.

With this new legislation and funding, the Adjutant General of Missouri was given state positions to support the Military Funeral Honors Program. Fourteen teams are strategically located throughout the state (Cape Girardeau, Hannibal, Jefferson City, Joplin, Kansas City, Moberly, Poplar Bluff, Salem, Springfield, St. Joseph, St. Louis (2 teams), Warrensburg, and West Plains) to assist in coordinating and providing military funeral honors to our veterans. These teams are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year and are augmented with traditional members of the Missouri National Guard when demands for services exceed their normal capability. With 13,500 veterans dying each year in Missouri, an estimated 8,500 ceremonies per year may eventually be required.

Missouri has made this a priority for its veterans, even though the primary responsibility rests with the federal government. Missouri fully understands what these brave men and women have done to provide for the defense of our country. Freedom truly is not free and must always be paid for with the blood and toil of our citizens. The veterans of this state will now have additional agencies and personnel available to ensure they are laid to rest with all the dignity and honor they deserve. Missouri’s Governor, state legislature, and veterans’ organizations felt this was so important that each was willing to stand and be counted. Missouri is indeed proud and honored to begin this program for all veterans of this Great State.

Our goal is to provide the right service, at the right time, in the right place, with the right team 100% of the time.