Military funerals can be for young soldiers killed in action, or for elderly veterans who dedicated a huge portion of their lives to securing our freedom. Whether they fought the Germans in WWII or Al Qaeda in the Iraq War, their sacrifice is something we should not take for granted. To thank the families and celebrate the distinction of such an extraordinary human being, who has put him or herself in harm’s way for his or her country, there are several traditions that make a military funeral unique.

From the outset of military funerals, mourners are aware that something is distinct. There is a solemn uniformed military presence and many times a gang of bikers come to protect the funeral from being ravaged by protestors. The procession is generally more elaborate the higher up the ranks go. For former presidents and officers of O-6 rank and above, a horse-drawn carriage or riderless horse sometimes pulls the coffin in a caisson.

At the gravesite, a gun salute is given to high ranking officers and officials or a 3-volley salute is fired. This tradition stems from the act of stopping fighting to remove the dead from the battlefield. To resume fighting, the armies would fire three volleys to indicate that the dead have been taken care of and the fighting may resume. With the Navy, a cannon may be fired. This custom symbolizes how during combat, when a cannon fires, it partially disarms the ship, and so the cannon is fired at certain military funerals to represent trust and respect.

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