While this can change slightly from service-to-service, and -- based on preferences of family members, below is the standard sequence of events for a military funeral at Arlington National Cemetery:
- The caisson or hearse arrives at grave site, everyone presents arms.
- Casket team secures the casket, NCOIC, OIC and chaplain salute.
- Chaplain leads the way to grave site, followed by casket team.
- Casket team sets down the casket and secures the flag.
- The NCOIC ensures the flag is stretched out and level, and centered over the casket.
- NCOIC backs away and the chaplain, military or civilian, will perform the service.
- At conclusion of interment service and before benediction, a gun salute is fired for those eligible ( i.e. general officers).
- Chaplain concludes his service and backs away, NCOIC steps up to the casket.
- The NCOIC presents arms to initiate the rifle volley.
- Rifle volley complete, bugler plays "Taps."
- Casket-team leader starts to fold the flag.
- Flag fold complete, and the flag is passed to the NCOIC, OIC.
- Casket team leaves grave site.
- NCOIC, OIC either presents the flag to the next of kin, or if there is a military chaplain on site he will present the flag to the chaplain, and then the chaplain will present to the next of kin.
- Arlington Lady presents card of condolences to the next of kin.
- The only person remaining at the grave is one soldier, the vigil. His mission is to watch over the body until it is interred into the ground.
