Casket Guard Procedures

At the predetermined times during visitation, an Honor Guard will remain posted at all times.  One
member will be posted at the head of the casket and one member will be posted at the feet.  Be
prepared to stay at this position for 10 to 20 minutes depending on the situation.

Initial Posting of the Guard-

The initial guards will proceed to a position just in front of the casket in order to give their last respects to the deceased.  Depending on the layout of the room, their procession may be done down the center aisle or the side aisle.  It is preferred that the center aisle be used so the guards can proceed to the casket side by side, at the front of the casket, the guards will salute the flag (Present...Arms., Order...Arms. done quietly) if the flag is present either on the casket or folded nearby.  The guards will then remove their caps and pay last respects as they see appropriate (prayer, sign of the cross, moment of silence, etc.).  The guards shall then place their caps on their heads and make a facing movement (Ready...Face. quietly) and proceed to the separate positions at the head and the foot of the casket.  The guards shall do an ABOUT FACE automatically upon reaching his/her position and shall then assume the position of PARADE REST without a command.

Changing of the Guard-

Upon seeing the next two (2) guards ready to enter the room, the guards at the casket will assume to position of ATTENTION.  The relief guards will make their way to the front of the casket.  Upon arrival, they will HALT and salute the flag as the prior guard had done.  They will then do the same type of facing movement as the prior guard had done.  They will then do the same type of facing movement as the prior pair of guards, and proceed to the position of the retiring guards.  They will FACE the retiring guards and give a salute.  The retiring guards shall return the salute and then take one step to the side to allow for the new guard to take his/her position.  The new guards shall take one step forward and perform an About Face movement and shall then assume the position of Parade Rest.  The retiring guards shall then perform a FACE movement towards the direction that they came from and Forward March down the aisle until they have exited the area.

• Consider obstacles and unique designs in the church.  Approach to the alter/casket
  may have to be from an "unusual" nature.

• Be aware that the various religions have different requirements about flags in the
  church and about how a casket must enter the church.

• When marching with the casket in a double line, facing inward.  Try to be two (2)
  steps further apart than the casket is wide.  Therefore, when you do a "Forward
  March" to approach the sides of the casket, it is only one step forward.

• Load the casket onto the caisson headfirst.

• Keep the casket as level as possible at all times.

• When exiting the caisson after loading the casket, try to be as orderly as possible.
  Use facing movements to get the group off neatly.  Don't call marching orders on
  top of a caisson, just use a command of "Move" or "Forward."

Additional Information-

All guard members should proceed through the reception line to pay their last respects to the family members present.  If you plan on doing this prior to your guard detail, keep in mind the time factor required to go through the reception line so each guard member is ready for their details turn to stand guard.  Therefore, it may be more appropriate to go through the reception line following your turn at the casket detail.  This ceremony is appropriate for the services of either a line of duty death funeral or for the funeral of a retiree.