Military Funeral

Milk & Honey

How come Lt. Gen. Earley got a military funeral? He had retired by the time he died. Does every former member of the Defences get a military funeral?

R.Dub.Fusilier

Milk & Honey wrote: »

How come Lt. Gen. Earley got a military funeral? He had retired by the time he died. Does every former member of the Defences get a military funeral?

dont know the answer to the second part of your question which i would like to know myself since you mentioned it ,but to answer the first part, he dedicated a major part of his life to the irish army and deserved to be buried as such regardless of if he was retired or not , thats my opinion but i'm sure thats normal practice.

punchdrunk

he was forced to retire by the illness,clearly the man lived for the Army
totally deserving of the military funeral

Local-womanizer

Had he not just stepped down from his position as COS? I thought he was officially leaving the army in a few months?

rednik

In the enlisted ranks any ex soldier with 21yrs service or more is entitled to a military funeral.

PatsytheNazi

rednik wrote: »

In the enlisted ranks any ex soldier with 21yrs service or more is entitled to a military funeral.

Is that an actual rule in the army ? If not it should be.

rednik

PatsytheNazi wrote: »

Is that an actual rule in the army ? If not it should be.

Yes it is an actual rule and the unit you served with are responsible for the funeral arrangements.

arybvtcw0eolkf

Milk & Honey wrote: »

How come Lt. Gen. Earley got a military funeral? He had retired by the time he died. Does every former member of the Defences get a military funeral?

All retired officers are afforded a full military funeral, regardless of rank when retiring.

Retired enlisted personnel (privates & NCO's) are entitled to a flag drapped coffin, I'm not sure about representation. But its a far cry from that which is afforded to a retired officer.

In the event of a soldier's death in service all soldiers, regardless of rank, are entitled to a full military funeral.

iceage

An Uncle of mine who passed away last year who had retired as a SNCO. was afforded a small Honor Guard and a draped coffin I believe, I was unable to attend the Service.

thefishone

Izabella Obedient Squirrel wrote: »

Retired enlisted personnel (privates & NCO's) are entitled to a flag drapped coffin, I'm not sure about representation. But its a far cry from that which is afforded to a retired officer.

After 21 years of service,any retired soldier is entitled to pallbearers(sp?),usually six to carry the coffin,normally of equal rank to the deceased and one IC.But it is not automatic and has to be be requested by the relatives.

Steyr

Was a fly past by the Air Corps performed? Just wondering ( Im sure there would have been ) as RTE yet again failed to show much of it.

arybvtcw0eolkf

thefishone wrote: »

After 21 years of service,any retired soldier is entitled to pallbearers(sp?),usually six to carry the coffin,normally of equal rank to the deceased and one IC.But it is not automatic and has to be be requested by the relatives.

Thanks, I thought that was about the extent of it alright.

Not sure how to put it, but the sight of a full military funeral is a sight to behold for those witnessing it for the first time, and from speaking to the relations & friends of those who've passed its a great comfort.

Poccington

Izabella Obedient Squirrel wrote: »

Thanks, I thought that was about the extent of it alright.

Not sure how to put it, but the sight of a full military funeral is a sight to behold for those witnessing it for the first time, and from speaking to the relations & friends of those who've passed its a great comfort.

Being part of the funeral party is quite the experience too.

I had the honour of being a pallbearer for a Congo veterans funeral. To this day it's one of the proudest and most humbling experiences of my DF career.

SIRREX

Poccington wrote: »

Being part of the funeral party is quite the experience too.

I had the honour of being a pallbearer for a Congo veterans funeral. To this day it's one of the proudest and most humbling experiences of my DF career.

I had the sad Honour of being in the Funeral party for a friend of mine who took his own life last year and I must say it felt good to contribute to a friends funeral on a larger basis than the usual shaking of the families hands and"sorry for your trouble"

Others who watched us parade through the centre of town after we formed the Guard Of Honour outside the Cathedral said they found it very moving. It's a very strange mix of Pride and Sadness that comes to mind when I think back on it

Local-womanizer

Poccington wrote: »

Being part of the funeral party is quite the experience too.

I had the honour of being a pallbearer for a Congo veterans funeral. To this day it's one of the proudest and most humbling experiences of my DF career.

I had the same honor too for fellow soldier,I still get goosebumps looking back on the day. The gun salute had such an effect on the funeral too.

As we were told,its not something you want to do often but it is something you can be proud of when the time comes.

K-9

Poccington wrote: »

Being part of the funeral party is quite the experience too.

I had the honour of being a pallbearer for a Congo veterans funeral. To this day it's one of the proudest and most humbling experiences of my DF career.

Obviously not Military but my Dad was a Guard, retired about 22 years. He died in January and got the March of Honour etc.

Very touching moment for the family and I know he would have been extremely proud. He devoted his working life to serving the State and it was very important to him. A touching tribute.

Mary Hairy

My father was a retired commandant with 40 years service including overseas. He died recently and was not entitled to a full military funeral. There was some new rule about this apparently.

testicle

Contrary to the above, retired members of the Defence Forces, of any rank, are not entitled to be buried with military honours. Any honours rendered to retired deceased personnel is at the discretion of the Defence Forces.

The honours rendered depend on the length of service of the individual at the time of death, ranging from representation, to full honours (Pall Bearers, Bearer Party, Firing Party)

ref: DFR A10

Husqvarna

I think an officer of Lt Gen rank (even retired) is entitled to a military funeral. I seem to recall being told once that two battalions were the honour guard for a Lt Gen. Not sure this would be possible nowdays.

Jo King

Husqvarna wrote: »

I think an officer of Lt Gen rank (even retired) is entitled to a military funeral. I seem to recall being told once that two battalions were the honour guard for a Lt Gen. Not sure this would be possible nowdays.

You think!! A soldier does not think. He either knows or he doesn't know. That is the first thin I heard from my platoon sergeant. Can you quote any regulation or order as authority for this proposition?

Poccington

Jo King wrote: »

You think!! A soldier does not think. He either knows or he doesn't know. That is the first thin I heard from my platoon sergeant. Can you quote any regulation or order as authority for this proposition?

Lol.

If a Lt. General dies while still serving, his funeral would have an escort of 2 Battalions.

Husqvarna

Jo King wrote: »

You think!! A soldier does not think. He either knows or he doesn't know. That is the first thin I heard from my platoon sergeant. Can you quote any regulation or order as authority for this proposition?

No can't quote any regulation...but I can spell thing.

arybvtcw0eolkf

Jo King wrote: »

You think!! A soldier does not think. He either knows or he doesn't know. That is the first thin I heard from my platoon sergeant.

Thats one of the funniest things I've read on boards.ie!..

Reminds me of the old soldier who asks his Commanding Officer;

"Sir, can I be charged for thinking".. "Erm, no Private Murphy. Think away"..

"Good. Sir, because I think your a bollox".

Noodles5

As far as I know when you have been in service for a number of years they give you some military honours...

My grandfather was in the army for well over 40 years and he passed away 5 months ago. He was given military honours... all except the gun salute (which I believe only happens if the person dies in service...?)
His coffin was drapped in the tri colour, he had guards of honour, a piper played in the church and again at the cemetery, they also played the Last Post on the bugle as his coffin was lowered into his grave.
There must have been close on 15 soldiers in the church, marching etc. It was unreal....
It really was comfort for all the family and friends who were there.
It is an experience I will never forget and one im not sure I will ever come across again.

Jo King

Husqvarna wrote: »

I can spell thing.

So you are not a complete moron? When you advance past 5 letter words and can read polysyllables you would then be able to read the regulations. Far better to know what you are talking about than relying on your imagination.