Flags used as tribute for veterans to be cremated

CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – Tom Wyatt of Sykes Funeral home was the first to tell the funeral home owner, Stewart Sykes, about the Veterans Funeral Care Flag Retirement Program.

Sykes was intrigued by the idea and decided late last fall to contact the organization for more information.

The flag retirement program is the brainchild of Jim Rudolph Jr. of Tampa, Fla., whose father was a paratrooper in World War II. The needs of veterans are important to him, including their funeral needs. Rudolph believes that all veterans deserve and are entitled to the most dignified funeral arrangements possible.

Rudolph is a licensed funeral director who owns and operates a funeral home in Tampa —Veterans Funeral Care. Although the business serves the funeral needs of anyone, its specialty is working with the families of veterans.

As a proud American citizen, Rudolph makes sure the American flag is raised at his business every day. As a funeral director, he also makes sure that the family of a deceased veteran receives a flag in accordance with military protocol.

“I know about the strict rules for disposing of a U.S. flag. The flag must be burned, not tossed into the kitchen garbage can,” Rudolph said. “I also know that many veterans are opting to be cremated rather than buried in a cemetery, even a veteran’s cemetery.

“It occurred to me that by placing a U.S. flag over the body of a veteran to be cremated, it would be a final tribute to both the veteran and the flag. To me, it is the final patriotic duty of the flag to be cremated with a veteran.”

Since starting the flag retirement program in 2000, Rudolph has been overwhelmed by the response and also by the number of flags that continue to be sent to him.

“The response has been very positive,” he said, adding that he also has heard some negative responses.

“When some funeral directors hear about this program, and I personally know some of these directors, they roll their eyes as if to say, ‘Oh brother, what a goofy idea.’ To them I say, ‘Tell the family of the deceased veteran that you think the idea of their loved one being cremated covered by an American flag is goofy. Let me know what they say.’”

Rudolph said it angers him that some funeral directors actually ask how much money they can make from the program.

“We don’t make a dime from this program,” he said. “In fact, it costs us money to do this, but it is the right thing to do for those who served our nation. What we receive in return is gratitude.”

Sykes Funeral Home and Crematory is the first Middle Tennessee funeral home to implement the Veterans Funeral Care program.

“Being part of this program and working with Jim Rudolph and his staff was an easy decision for my father and I to make,” Sykes said. “Fort Campbell is our next-door neighbor, and this is another way we can serve the post and demonstrate our commitment to veterans’ needs.

“There is no cost to a family for the flag. These flags are donated to Sykes and other funeral homes across the country that takes part in this program. If someone has a flag that is no longer in good condition, donate the flag to us, and we will insure that it becomes the shroud that covers a veteran who is cremated.”

Implementing the Veterans Funeral Care Program at a funeral home begins with personal interviews by Rudolph with the funeral home director and staff. Education and training is provided on veterans’ burial policies and arrangements, U.S. flag protocols for disposing of flags and use in funerals, and also counseling with family members of veterans.

“Part of what we do involves educating funeral home directors and family members on funeral arrangements for veterans,” Rudolph said. “This is a responsibility we take very seriously.”

To learn more about the Veterans Funeral Care program or to donate a flag, contact Stewart Sykes a.

For more

Sykes Funeral Home

424 Franklin St.

647-1562

For information on the program, www.veteransfuneralcare.com