What is placed inside the flag at a military funeral?
Three shells taken from the volleys fired during the 21-gun salute at a military funeral traditionally are placed into the folds of the ceremonial U.S. flag.The CeremonyAn honor guard or military detail, whether it is from the local American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars post or a detail sent from a local military post, is present for the burial ceremony and will carry the coffin to the grave and perform the honors, including the gun salute and flag presentation.21-Gun SaluteThree volleys of seven men firing their rifles is the highest honor after the flag on the coffin available to deceased veterans.TraditionThe tradition for many military details and honor guards is to place three of the 21 spent shell casings inside the folded flag to show forevermore the deceased and his flag have had proper military honors. Nothing else is to be placed inside the flag.CostMilitary honors for the honorable are provided to the family at no cost.Shells Not Always Inserted in FlagShells are not alw
