PROTOCOL FOR TAPS
INSTRUCTION FOR MILITARY AND CIVILIAN
One question I get often is what to do when Taps is sounded. What exactly is the protocol? In a nutshell, it’s the same protocol as when you hear the national anthem.
DEFINITION OF TAPS
Taps is sounded at funerals, memorial services and wreath laying ceremonies. It is also the last call played at US military bases in the evening. Performance consists of 24 notes sounded on a bugle or trumpet. Taps is performed by a solo bugler without accompaniment or embellishment. Although sometimes performed with an echo, Taps is really meant to be sounded by a single bugler.
For more information on the origin of Taps CLICK HERE
At funerals, military honors follow a certain sequence dictated by tradition and protocol. Three rifle volleys are fired, followed by the sounding of Taps. The flag is then folded and presented to the Next-of-Kin.
Sometimes there is not a firing party available and Taps will be sounded upon the signal from the military or funeral home director.
The sequence at Arlington National Cemetery can be found here.
At memorial services or special events Taps is usually sounded toward the end of the program, usually before the benediction or dismissal. At wreath laying ceremonies, Taps is usually sounded after the wreath (or last one if there are several) is presented.
CONDUCT DURING THE SOUNDING OF TAPS
During a rendition of Taps at a military funeral, memorial service or wreath laying ceremony,
– All present not in uniform should stand at attention with the right hand over the heart;
– Men not in uniform should remove their headdress with their right hand and hold the headdress at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart;
– Individuals in uniform should give the military salute at the first note of Taps and maintain that position until the last note (note: if you are inside and uncovered, you stand at attention);
– Veterans and active-duty service-members not in uniform may render the hand salute;
– If you are inside and not in uniform it is proper to stand during Taps
– When Taps is sounded in the evening as the final call of the day at military bases, salutes are not required.
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Taps would be fine at the Memorial Service. But if you get the military to perform honors at that service they will be unable to provide them at the burial.
Hand over heart if not in uniform
Thanks
As a civilian bugler volunteer for MFH, the honor guard will often ask me to salute when I finish Taps. Is it appropriate for me to salute?
One more question. If a bugler is not available is it appropriate to play Taps using a recorded version?
We are having a private memorial service for my father who is a veteran. He has been cremated and we will be burying the ashes at a later date. Would it be appropriate to play Taps at the end of the memorial service or should this be postponed for the burial?
Yes, that would be appropriate.
Contact jari@Tapsbugler.com for audio of TAps
I am putting together a slide show for my friend’s Memorial. He is an Army veteran. His private funeral will be one day and I know they will have military honors presented there. For his memorial, it will be the next day an there will be many others that had not been present at the funeral. Would it be okay to play taps again at the conclusion of the video?
Taps is scheduled at the discretion of the base commander. It is usually sounded around 10 PM
Hi I’m just wondering if every military base plays Taps at the same time or if the very?
The protocol is the same as for the National Anthem. If you are inside and uncovered, you stand at attention when Taps is sounded.