CHAPTER 4
NAVAL FUNERALS AND CHAPEL WEDDINGS
“The Navy is not a job, it is a way of life.”
The significance of this statement is exemplified
by the unique customs, honors, traditions, and
special ceremonies which surround all naval
funerals and chapel weddings.
The primary purpose of the duties performed
by the Religious Program Specialist on these
occasions is to support and assist the chaplains
as they conduct religious rites and ceremonies
for naval personnel and their families. In addi-
tion to an understanding of the religious rites,
an awareness of the significance and meaning
of naval customs and traditions will enable
Religious Program Specialists to serve more
effectively in their role of support to Navy
chaplains.
Before naval funerals and military weddings
are discussed in detail, it is important to note
some elements of naval customs and traditions
which play an important part in these cere-
monies. The significance and origin of naval
customs which relate to military funerals and
weddings can be traced back to the American
Revolution and the formation of the Continen-
tal Navy. Some of the customs which have been
passed down to the present-day Navy and, in
time, will be passed on to future generations are
presented in the following paragraphs.
The national ensign or flag of the United
States of America represents our nation. John
Paul Jones is thought to have been the first
military commander to fly the American flag
when it was first flown aboard his vessel, the
Ranger, in Portsmouth, NH on July 4, 1777.
Sailing for France on November 1, 1777, Jones
again flew the Stars and Stripes aboard the
Ranger.
At the same time, Jones carried
word of the Battle of Saratoga to Benjamin
Franklin, who was the American emissary in
Paris. Entering Quiberon Bay, on February 14,
1778, Jones found the French fleet in roadstead
(figure 4-1). As the Ranger sailed in at sunset
with the American colors flying, the French
saluted with “nine guns’’—official recognition
by the Royal French Government of the new
American Republic. As a result of this gesture,
Britain handed France an ultimatum and the
French responded by joining the new American
Republic in its war of independence against the
British. Following this historical event, the
American flag became the primary symbol of the
United States and has had a central place in both
civic and military ceremonies since that time.
Our national ensign is always handled with
great care and dignity. The union (the stars) of
the flag is considered to be its point of honor.
No flag or pennant is ever placed above the
ensign of the United States except during Divine
Services conducted on board ship by chaplains.
When Divine Services are being conducted,
either the Christian or the Jewish pennant, as
appropriate, may be flown above the national
ensign.
When displayed in the chancel area of a
Navy chapel, the national ensign should be to
the right of the chaplain as he faces the con-
gregation. When the ensign is to cover the casket
of a member of the naval service, its “union”
should be placed at the head of the casket over
the area of the deceased member’s left shoulder
(figure 4-2). During burial, the flag must not
touch the ground nor be lowered into the grave.
The ensign of the United States, when placed
over a deceased member’s casket, acknowledges
that the member served the nation and its naval
service. Navies of other countries permit the
sword, the cap, and the chapeau to be placed
upon their national flag when it is draped over a
4-1
