937-4 formal funeral plan

Honor Guard Protocol

• The Honor Guard proceeds to the grave site and is positioned prior to casket movement from the car.
• At the grave site, the commands are repeated to ensure uniform placement of all officers in the Honor Guard.
• The officers will be placed at parade rest and remain at that position until the funeral car arrives.
• They are then brought to a position of attention.

Commands

• "Present Arms" is given only during the time a flag or Color Guard is present and in motion.
• "Parade Rest" command:
  • All officers remain facing front with their right foot in place.
  • The left foot is moved to the officer's immediate left (12 to 15 inches).
  • The officer's hands are placed in the small of the back with elbows bent.
  • No talking or movement is permitted while at parade rest.
• "Cover" command:
  • Each officer in the second rank adjusts his position to stand exactly behind each officer in the first rank.
  • Then, the third rank follows, providing a uniform appearance and compensating for different arm lengths.
• "Honor Guard Attention" command:
  • Given shortly before the services begin.
  • The Funeral Coordinator will bring the Honor Guard to attention and give them the appropriate facing movement.
  • This allows them to proceed single file into the chapel.

Graveside Services

• The Honor Guard remains at parade rest during graveside services.
• The only exception is when the Honor Guard is brought to attention and given the "Present Arms" command during the folding of the flag.
• The Funeral Coordinator will dismiss the Honor Guard at the conclusion of the ceremony.

Funeral Coordinator's Responsibilities

• The Funeral Coordinator will take a position where they can view the movement of the casket.
• The Funeral Coordinator will command the Honor Guard to fall in at the previously designated area.
• The Funeral Coordinator will dismiss the Honor Guard and instruct them to report to the grave site where they will re-assemble at a designated position.

Uniforms and Equipment

• Law enforcement officers may be dressed in business attire or full dress uniform.
• The Firing Detail wears Class "A" uniform, soft cap, white gloves, and white shoulder cords.
• The Color Guard and Bugler wear long sleeve uniform shirts with open collar, white ascot, white gloves, white shoulder cords, white helmet, and black combat boots.
• Traffic Unit Officers' uniform attire will be determined on a case-by-case basis by the Traffic Enforcement Unit Commander.
• Police Chaplains wear business attire.

Firing Detail and Color Guard

• The Firing Detail arrives at the funeral home or church at least thirty minutes prior to the service.
• The Firing Detail fires three volleys of blank cartridges and holds the position until completion of taps.
• The Color Guard arrives at the funeral home or church at least thirty minutes prior to the service.
• The Color Guard consists of four members, two carrying rifles, one carrying the United States flag, and one carrying the Missouri state flag.
• The Color Guard is responsible for the ceremonial movements of the flags at the funeral home or church and the grave site.

Equipment Maintenance

• The Tactical Response Team III Sergeant is responsible for the maintenance, storage, and security of the special items of equipment for the Color Guard.
• These items consist of two British 30.06 chrome-plated rifles, one United States flag and standard, and one Missouri state flag and standard.

Bugler and Police Chaplains

• The Bugler is a sworn member with the ability to play military taps on a bugle.
• The Police Chaplains' services will be offered to the family of the deceased and will be utilized if requested by the family.
• The Funeral Coordinator and Chaplain Coordinator will arrange the use of the Police Chaplains.