Oklahoma National Guard Military Funeral Honors

The Oklahoma National Guard Military Funeral Honors Team, a group of soldiers dedicated to honoring deceased veterans, provides funeral services for veterans. All U.S. military veterans qualify for a military funeral with a flag draped coffin, bugler playing Taps and a presentation of the flag to the deceased's next of kin. The Oklahoma National Guard team conducts between 100 and 150 funerals a month.

Sgt. Davis, one of the team's training non-commissioned officers, reviews information about an upcoming funeral assignment. Every funeral is outlined in a mission packet. Inside the packet is the deceased's relevant military records, details of the funeral and information on the remaining family who will receive a folded flag as part of the ceremony.

Soldiers of the Military Funeral Honors Team practice working with a casket at their offices in Oklahoma City. The team continually practices every facet of the funeral ceremony. Trainers, wearing black shirts, work with new soldiers to ensure they both meet the standards and can perform the intimate ceremony while maintaining military bearing.

Before leaving for a funeral Spc. Jarod Bowen looks over his dress uniform shoes, making sure the pattern of lacing and length are correct and even.

Spc. Michael Austin (left) and Sgt. Davis (right) shine blank shell casings before leaving for a full honors ceremony for a retired officer. During a full honor ceremony soldiers will also conduct a 21-gun salute using blank ammunition.

Sgt. Adam Taylor updates the funeral board, a large whiteboard just inside the team's office used track funerals week to week.

Part of the ceremony is to fold the flag that covers the coffin and present it to the deceased's next of kin. The folding of the flag is a silent action done in a method so when being presented no seams are visible. Team members practice this method until they are able to perform it without the aid of trainers.

A soldier uses a knife to remove a tattered award ribbon from his uniform. In order to keep with the high profile uniform standards team members inspect every detail of their uniforms for any loose strands or out of place material.

Sgt. Davis places a tie tack in his dress uniform tie before leaving for a funeral.

Each time a soldier prepares for a funeral the fine details are inspected. Service Ribbons, worn over the left breast pocket on male soldiers, are to be 1/8th an inch above the seam of the pocket.

A soldier loads uniform coats into a van before leaving.

Soldiers salute the casket of Edward Kuta, a Korean War Veteran, during his funeral in Edmond Okla. 

Sgt. Jacob Roush inspects the folded flag before presenting it to Kuta's daughter.

Roush presents Kuta's daughter with his flag and thanks the family for his service.

Following the service, Roush finalizes the report before returning it to the team's administrative personnel.

Bowen reads over a story published about a fallen soldier from Edmond, Okla. where the team provided services. The team collects newspaper clippings and photos in their office from whenever they are featured.