Graveside Salute Protocol

[Moderator]

The graveside Saluting Protocol for a Veteran of the Armed Forces is the same as for an Active Duty Servicemember. Most Law Enforcement and Firefighter departments use the same protocol for a Line-of-Duty death.

All those in uniform should Present Arms ...

[/i]. Taps should be rendered immediately after the Rifle Squad is finished. The salute should be held from the time the Rifle Squad Leader begins issuing commands until the final note of Taps has been played.

When the casket is lowered into the grave (assuming the Honor Guard is still present).[/ul]
Because most Honor Guards start folding the Funeral Flag during the firing of the three volleys and the playing of Taps, many think the salute is for the folding of the Flag, but that's not the case.

When the Funeral Flag has been folded and passed to the Squad Leader for presentation to the Primary Next-of-Kin (PNOK), all uniformed members in attendance should come to Attention and remain at Attention until the Squad Leader salutes the PNOK after presenting the Funeral Flag.

Individual uniformed attendees, whether members of the Honor Guard or not, should salute family members of the deceased as they pass-by or as they approach to greet those in attendance following the formal graveside ceremony. In addition, if the PNOK departs the cemetery while uniformed attendees are still present, those in uniform should come to Attention and salute as the vehicle transporting the PNOK passes by.