July 1, 2022

Funeral Shell Casings

Funeral Traditions, Cemetery

Shell casings at a military funeral.


Following up on last Friday's Three Volley Salute, while the bugler plays Taps, the uniformed military person performing the honors will fold up a flag previously draped over the casket. The military attender may then insert three shell casings - typically from an M1 Garand rifle - into the 13 folds of the flag while folding it. This is an optional display of respect that signifies that the deceased had received full military honors, and once they finish folding it, they solemnly present it to a flag recipient on behalf of the president and their branch of service.