<P> When a spouse or other dependent of a current or former member of the United States Armed Forces is buried, the military service in which the primary party served will provide a casket team and a chaplain . No other military honors will be rendered unless the spouse served in the military . </P> <P> The flag of the United States draped over the casket is meticulously folded thirteen times by a total of six honor guards, three on each side of the casket . When the flag is completely folded, the stars point upwards, which remind Americans of their national motto, In God We Trust . After the flag is completely folded and tucked in, it takes on the appearance of a tricorne hat, reminding Americans of the soldiers who served under General George Washington, and the sailors and Marines who served under Captain John Paul Jones, who were followed by their comrades and shipmates in the United States Armed Forces . </P> <P> An honor guard composed of one or more branches of the United States Armed Forces, presents the flag to the next of kin . The presenter, if possible a member of the same service as the deceased, will generally kneel while presenting the folded flag, with the straight edge of the flag facing the recipient . The presenter then recites the following wording, which was standardized on April 20, 2012: </P> <P> On behalf of the President of the United States, the United States (Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force or Coast Guard), and a grateful nation, please accept this flag as a symbol of our appreciation for your loved one's honorable and faithful service . </P>

Who receives the american flag at a military funeral