What does MFH mean in US GOVERNMENT

Military Funeral Honors (MFH) are an official honors program from the US Department of Defense which provides recognition of veterans through ceremonies at their funerals. The primary components of MFH include two or more uniformed members playing “Taps,” folding the American Flag seven times, then presenting it to the next-of-kin, and providing a 3-volley salute from firearms.

All Veterans who were discharged under conditions other than dishonorable are eligible for Military Funeral Honors. It does not matter when or where they served. Honorably discharged veterans who died on or after September 11, 2001 may be eligible for additional benefits including an Honor Guard flag presentation.

A request should be made by a funeral director as part of funeral arrangements using a DD Form 217 located at https://www.dmdc.osd.mil/sites/forms/. If personal contact with the Military Service branch cannot be made directly, requests may be submitted via email to [email protected] or through the National Cemetery Administration at https://www.cem.va.gov/cem/burial_benefits/honoring_veterans_mfh_requests2.asp

You can check with your local Veterans Affairs office to find out if they have any records of where your Veteran was buried along with any information regarding MFH services performed at their grave site. If this information is not available there may still be potential avenues that you can pursue in order to locate them or have MFH services completed for them in their absence if desired.