AF Form 1946 Honor Guard Checklist – Download PDF

AF Form 1946 Honor Guard Checklist – Download PDF – The AF Form 1946, officially titled Honor Guard Checklist (now often referred to as DAF Form 1946), is a standardized document used by the U.S. Air Force to plan, document, and verify military funeral honors and other ceremonial support provided by base honor guards. Prescribed by Department of the Air Force Instruction (DAFI) 34-160, Mortuary Affairs Program (certified current as of November 2025), this form ensures every detail of an honor guard ceremony meets professional standards, maintains accountability, and supports proper reporting to higher headquarters.

Air Force families, funeral directors, and base services personnel frequently search for information on this form when arranging dignified military honors for active-duty members, retirees, veterans, or distinguished persons.

What Is AF Form 1946 Used For?

Base Honor Guards (BHG) and the U.S. Air Force Honor Guard use DAF Form 1946 for:

  • Military funeral honors (the most common use)
  • Memorial services
  • Distinguished visitor or dignitary ceremonies
  • Community functions or other approved honor guard support

The form serves as both a planning tool and a verification checklist. The Mortuary Officer (or designated Honor Guard Administrator/NCOIC) signs and completes appropriate sections for each requested honors ceremony. If a request is denied, the form must document the circumstances and justification, with copies forwarded to HQ Air Force Mortuary Affairs Operations (AFMAO) and, if required, to the relevant MAJCOM or FIELD COMMAND.

Key purposes include:

  • Documenting requester details, event type, location, and specifics of honors requested
  • Verifying that all ceremonial elements (flag folding, pallbearers, bugler, firing party, etc.) are properly coordinated and executed
  • Ensuring compliance with Air Force standards for professionalism and dignity
  • Supporting data entry into systems like the Funeral Honors Database (FHDB)
  • Maintaining records for audits, reimbursement, and historical purposes

Note: The current version is dated 20220308 (March 8, 2022). Always use the official form from e-Publishing.

Download the latest AF Form 1946 (Honor Guard Checklist) here:
https://static.e-publishing.af.mil/production/1/af_a1/form/af1946/af1946.pdf

This is the direct PDF from the official Air Force e-Publishing site. The form is fillable and designed for clear documentation across two pages (including a continuation sheet).

Structure of AF Form 1946

The form is divided into logical sections for efficient completion:

Section I: Honors Request Data

  • Honor Guard installation address
  • Requester’s name/address and telephone
  • Type of honors requested (e.g., Funeral Service, Memorial Service, Distinguished Person, Change of Command, Community Function)
  • Location details (Government Cemetery, Funeral Home Chapel, Private Cemetery, etc.)

Subsequent Sections (Checklist Items) The checklist covers critical pre-ceremony, during-ceremony, and post-ceremony tasks, including:

  • Coordination with the funeral director or point of contact
  • Verification of eligibility for honors
  • Equipment and personnel requirements (uniforms, flags, rifles, ammunition, bugle)
  • Specific elements: flag folding and presentation, pallbearer duties, firing party, bugler/taps, escort
  • Safety and protocol checks
  • Post-event documentation and reporting

The form includes checkboxes for each item to confirm completion. Block 40 typically captures the name and grade of the Chief of Services (Mortuary Officer) for signature and accountability.

Base-level instructions often require completing the form for every honor guard detail, even non-funeral events in some cases.

Who Uses AF Form 1946?

  • Mortuary Affairs Officers and base Services personnel
  • Honor Guard Program Managers, NCOICs, and team members
  • Base Honor Guards (BHG) at installations worldwide
  • U.S. Air Force Mortuary Affairs Operations (AFMAO)
  • Reserve and Air National Guard units when augmenting active-duty details

The form supports joint coordination, especially when multiple components (Active Duty, Reserve, ANG) participate in a single detail.

How to Request and Complete AF Form 1946?

  1. Request Process: Funeral directors or next of kin typically contact the local base Mortuary Affairs or Honor Guard office. For non-funeral events, organizations submit a completed or partially completed AF Form 1946 with details (date, time, location, POC, type of support needed) at least two weeks in advance (short-notice requests considered case-by-case).
  2. Completion: The Mortuary Officer or Honor Guard NCOIC fills out the form, checks off items as tasks are completed, and obtains required signatures.
  3. After the Ceremony: Submit the completed form for record-keeping, enter data into tracking systems, and forward copies as required by DAFI 34-160.

Local base instructions (e.g., from Misawa AFB, Eielson AFB, or Spangdahlem AB) provide additional guidance tailored to the installation’s Area of Responsibility (AOR).

Why Proper Use of AF Form 1946 Matters?

Military funeral honors represent the Air Force’s final tribute to those who served. The checklist helps ensure:

  • Dignity and precision in every ceremony
  • Accountability for equipment, personnel, and ammunition
  • Compliance with higher-level policy (DAFI 34-160 and related instructions)
  • Accurate reporting to AFMAO for program oversight and resource management

Failing to document properly can affect eligibility tracking, stipend processing (where applicable), and overall program integrity.

  • DAFI 34-160, Mortuary Affairs Program (primary governing instruction)
  • Air Force Mortuary Affairs Operations website: mortuary.af.mil
  • AFI 36-2903 (Dress and Appearance) – critical for uniform standards during honors
  • Local base Honor Guard or Services squadron for installation-specific procedures

For active-duty, retiree, or veteran funerals, contact your nearest Air Force installation’s Mortuary Affairs office or the funeral director handling the arrangements. They will coordinate with the appropriate Honor Guard.

Need the form?
Direct PDF download: AF Form 1946 Honor Guard Checklist

This guide is based on official Air Force publications and forms as of 2026. Always verify the latest version on the e-Publishing.af.mil website, as policies and forms can be updated. For specific questions about eligibility or requesting honors, reach out directly to AFMAO or your local base services.

Keywords covered: AF Form 1946, DAF Form 1946, Honor Guard Checklist, Air Force military funeral honors, base honor guard procedures, download AF Form 1946, DAFI 34-160.