Virginia lawmakers in the House of Delegates have passed a bill that creates state support for honor guard services at the funerals of veterans. House Bill 108, introduced by Delegate Jason Ballard, requires the Department of Veterans Services to establish the Honor Guard Grant Program. The program will offer grants to veteran service organizations to cover expenses associated with providing military funeral honors.
These expenses include training for honor guard members, transportation to funeral locations, food for those participating in the details, equipment necessary for the ceremonies, and supplies used during the events. The legislation specifies that the grants are to offset the costs incurred by the organizations and their members in carrying out these burial details for veterans in the Commonwealth. A veteran is defined in the bill as a decedent who is eligible to receive military funeral honors.
The measure adds a new section to the Code of Virginia, numbered 2.2-2004.3, in Chapter 20 of Title 2.2. This addition lays out the requirements for the Department of Veterans Services to set up and run the grant program. The goal is to provide financial assistance that can help maintain the ability of these organizations to perform their important functions.
Delegate Jason Ballard indicated that the bill stems from input received from a constituent. The constituent pointed out that many honor guard groups depend on private donations and contributions from their own members to fund their operations. This funding has not always been sufficient to keep up with the demands of providing full military honors at every eligible funeral. As a result, there is a possibility that some veterans will not receive the honors they have earned through their military service if additional support is not made available.
The House of Delegates approved House Bill 108 by a vote of 98 to 0, sending it to the Senate for consideration. In the Senate, the bill has been referred to the Committee on General Laws and Technology and other relevant panels for review. A proposed amendment to the budget bill includes an allocation of $25,000 from the general fund for the first year to support the Honor Guard Grant Program once it is established.
This funding is intended to help the Department of Veterans Services begin the process of awarding grants to qualifying veteran service organizations. The program is structured to address the specific needs of honor guards, ensuring that they have access to resources for training their members to perform the ceremonies correctly. Transportation costs are covered to allow groups to travel to funerals in different areas of the state. Food provisions are included to support the members who dedicate their time to these events. Equipment and supplies grants will help acquire and maintain the items required for the honor details, such as flags, rifles for salutes, and other ceremonial materials.
By providing these grants, House Bill 108 aims to reduce the reliance on private sources and personal funds for funding honor guard activities. This can help ensure that the tradition of military funeral honors continues without interruption due to financial limitations. The legislation focuses on the practical aspects of supporting these services, from preparation to the actual performance of the burial honors.
As the bill advances in the Senate, it represents an effort to formalize state assistance for veteran service organizations. The grants will be administered through the Department of Veterans Services, which will manage the application and distribution to eligible groups. This structured approach can lead to more consistent support for the honor guard details that pay tribute to veterans.
The bill’s provisions emphasize the importance of covering all listed expense categories to fully support the operations. Training ensures that participants are prepared for their roles in the ceremonies. Transportation enables broader participation across the Commonwealth. Food, equipment, and supplies address the daily and operational needs of the teams involved.
Delegate Jason Ballard has noted the origin of the legislation in real community concerns about sustaining these honors. The program offers a solution by making state funds available to offset the costs that have previously been covered through donations and personal contributions.
In the 2026 session, this legislation provides a mechanism for ongoing support of veteran funeral honors. With its passage in the House and progress in the Senate, the bill could soon enable the Department of Veterans Services to implement the grant program. This would allow veteran service organizations to apply for and receive funding that helps them continue their work of honoring the deceased veterans with full military rites.
The overall effect of the bill is to create a dedicated grant program that targets the financial needs of honor guards. By doing so, it supports the preservation of a key tradition in recognizing the service of Virginia’s veterans. The details in the bill ensure that the grants are used for the specified purposes, promoting effective use of the resources allocated.
This initiative comes as part of broader legislative activity related to veterans’ affairs. The focus on honor guards highlights the role these groups play in the final respects paid to those who have served. Through the establishment of the program, the state is positioned to assist in maintaining the quality and availability of these services for all eligible veterans.
