Funeral homes/veteran

[drysdaleg]

I'm going to cut right to the chase on this one. A few days ago my wife's grandfather passed away, thankfully he didn't suffer at all and went out like everyone else would want to. He spent a few years in the USAF, I've been in contact with the colar guard and spoke to his wife about the ceremony. She said she doesn't want to go ahead with the military style funeral,.although I don't understand why not, its not my decision to make.

So my question is now, is there any other services that would help with his funeral? I don't want his service to go unnoticed. If he is intitled to anything I want to make sure he/his family gets it.

Thanks for all the help.

 

[Scutter01]

My dad was a US Marine. When he passed away, three young Marines showed up to his funeral in full dress. No one had any idea who they were, and they were not specifically invited (but obviously welcome). They left afterward without speaking to anyone. It was one of the most amazing and moving things I've ever seen. To this day, none of the family knows why they where there. They must have seen the obit in the paper and decided to pay their respects.

 

[drysdaleg]

My dad was a US Marine. When he passed away, three young Marines showed up to his funeral in full dress. No one had any idea who they were, and they were not specifically invited (but obviously welcome). They left afterward without speaking to anyone. It was one of the most amazing and moving things I've ever seen. To this day, none of the family knows why they where there. They must have seen the obit in the paper and decided to pay their respects.

Thats really something special. My grandfather passed away when I was real young. He served in the Army during WWII. During his funeral there was the gun salute and folding of the flag/taps. We got him a bronze plack that sits on the back of his headstone. I was really young when it happened so I can't remember to much. I just don't want to miss anything that could help the family out in anyway.

 

[RedneckReject]

My dad was a US Marine. When he passed away, three young Marines showed up to his funeral in full dress. No one had any idea who they were, and they were not specifically invited (but obviously welcome). They left afterward without speaking to anyone. It was one of the most amazing and moving things I've ever seen. To this day, none of the family knows why they where there. They must have seen the obit in the paper and decided to pay their respects.

That's awesome. My dad died a couple years ago and he had the honor of being escorted to his final resting place by the Patriot Guard and a HMMWV. I did pretty well until our procession met a fire engine coming at us in cross traffic (not on any emergency run or anything). The engine stopped and positioned himself in the middle of the oncoming two lanes with his lights on so that no one could even move while we were on our way to the cemetery. And then of course there's Taps. I don't know how anyone can keep from shedding a tear at that sound.

 

[possum_128]

I'm going to cut right to the chase on this one. A few days ago my wife's grandfather passed away, thankfully he didn't suffer at all and went out like everyone else would want to. He spent a few years in the USAF, I've been in contact with the colar guard and spoke to his wife about the ceremony. She said she doesn't want to go ahead with the military style funeral,.although I don't understand why not, its my my decision to make.

So my question is now, is there any other services that would help with his funeral? I don't want his service to go unnoticed. If he is intitled to anything I want to make sure he/his family gets it.

Thanks for all the help.

Not to be a smart butt, but how is this your decision to make? I would think it would be his wife's and childern's decision.

If they put you in charge of the arrangements you should go with their wishs. I'm not following how you have any right to go against the family's wishs, seeing as you only married into the family.

I do hope they do change their position on the military funeral because every veteran deserves it.

 

[badwolf.usmc]

My dad was a US Marine. When he passed away, three young Marines showed up to his funeral in full dress. No one had any idea who they were, and they were not specifically invited (but obviously welcome). They left afterward without speaking to anyone. It was one of the most amazing and moving things I've ever seen. To this day, none of the family knows why they where there. They must have seen the obit in the paper and decided to pay their respects.

I would be interested in where this happened. I have done funeral detail at my unit many times and we don't go out unless we are officially invited. Almost all funeral homes know how to get hold of us, there is a form they fill out and get to us, and all the family has to do is ask the funeral home to make the arrangements.

At my unit, we don't do "military" style funerals, we just do flag presentations and Taps. If someone wants a gun salute then they have to organize that with the local VFW or such. Also, most funeral homes have agreements set up with local dry cleaners where they will get the flag dry cleaned for free so to make it look nicer.


If you want to honor his service then ask her if a flag presentation is ok without the gun salute. If not, the so be it. Some of the best ways i've seen to honor someone's military service has been simple picture displays of them while they were in uniform.

 

[IndyND]

I don't know how these things get arranged, but I have been to many an Uncle's funeral with military respect shown. It has always been classy, moving and very much appreciated. A lone corpsman playing the bugle is one of my favorite live music performances. Somewhat related I also think the lone bugle boy playing Taps is the most moving part of Memorial Day celebrations at the Indianapolis 500. A full band of any kind does not have near the presence and effect of that lone bugle player. I get chills just thinking about those performances.

 

[drysdaleg]

Not to be a smart butt, but how is this your decision to make? I would think it would be his wife's and childern's decision.

If they put you in charge of the arrangements you should go with their wishs. I'm not following how you have any right to go against the family's wishs, seeing as you only married into the family.

I do hope they do change their position on the military funeral because every veteran deserves it.

That was a type o. Fixed

 

[drysdaleg]

Not to be a smart butt, but how is this your decision to make? I would think it would be his wife's and childern's decision.

If they put you in charge of the arrangements you should go with their wishs. I'm not following how you have any right to go against the family's wishs, seeing as you only married into the family.

I do hope they do change their position on the military funeral because every veteran deserves it.

That was a type-o. Fixed and thanks!