AF Form 40B: Record of Individual Military Funeral Honor Duty – AF Form 40B: Record of Individual Military Funeral Honor Duty is an official Air Force form used to document participation in military funeral honors (MFH) by Air Force personnel, particularly reservists and others performing these duties.
This form tracks individual service members’ involvement in rendering honors at funerals for eligible veterans and active-duty personnel. It ensures proper recording for administrative, pay, or points purposes in the Reserve Component.
What Is AF Form 40B?
AF Form 40B, titled “Record of Individual Military Funeral Honor Duty,” captures details about a service member’s performance of funeral honors duty. It records the individual’s name, rank/grade, unit, dates of duty, and specific tasks performed during the military funeral honors ceremony.
The form supports compliance with Department of the Air Force policies on mortuary affairs and base honor guard programs. It is referenced in key publications such as DAFI 34-160, Mortuary Affairs Program (certified current as of November 2025), which governs military funeral support, and DAFMAN 36-2136, Reserve Personnel Participation, which addresses funeral honors duty status and documentation.
A single AF Form 40B can cover funeral honors duty performed on consecutive calendar days, simplifying administration for multi-day commitments.
Purpose of AF Form 40B
The primary purpose is to officially record an individual’s participation in Military Funeral Honors Duty (FHD). This duty involves providing ceremonial support, such as:
- Folding and presenting the U.S. flag to the next of kin.
- Playing “Taps.”
- Serving on firing parties, color guards, pallbearers, or bugler roles.
For Air Force Reserve and other components, the form helps document duty for crediting toward retirement points, inactive duty training (IDT), or other participation requirements. It ensures accurate tracking of volunteer or assigned service in support of grieving families and the nation’s commitment to honoring veterans.
The form aligns with broader DoD and Air Force guidance on military funeral support, including DoDI 1300.15.
Note: AF Form 40B is not the form used by families or funeral directors to request honors. Requests are typically handled via local base honor guard request sheets or through the Military Funeral Honors Directory, often requiring a DD Form 214 for eligibility verification.
Who Uses AF Form 40B?
- Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard members performing funeral honors as part of their participation.
- Active duty or other personnel assigned to base honor guard programs.
- Unit administrators and supervisors who approve and process the forms for scheduling and credit.
- Mortuary Affairs and honor guard coordinators for record-keeping in case files.
Eligibility to perform these duties follows guidelines in DAFI 34-160 and related personnel participation manuals.
Key Sections and How to Fill Out AF Form 40B
While the exact layout is in the official PDF, typical fields (based on standard descriptions) include:
- Service Member Information: Name, rank/grade, SSN (or equivalent), unit of assignment, and contact details.
- Duty Period: Dates and times of the funeral honors performed (a single form can cover consecutive days).
- Type of Duty: Specific roles or tasks (e.g., firing party, flag folding, bugler, pallbearer).
- Location and Details: Funeral location, deceased veteran’s information (if required), and number of honors rendered.
- Certification/Approval Blocks: Signatures from the individual, supervisor, or commander to verify completion.
Tips for Completion:
- Use one form for consecutive calendar days when applicable.
- Ensure all entries are accurate for points or pay processing.
- Submit through unit channels or automated systems (e.g., UTAPS for some IMA/reserve contexts).
- Retain copies per Air Force records management policies (AFI 33-322).
Always refer to the latest version of the form and accompanying instructions from official Air Force e-Publishing sources. Supervisors often approve schedules before duty, and the form is completed afterward.
How to Download AF Form 40B?
The official fillable PDF is available directly from the Air Force e-Publishing site:
→ Download AF Form 40B here: https://static.e-publishing.af.mil/production/1/af_re/form/af40b/af40b.pdf
Use the most current version to ensure compliance. Forms may be processed manually or through automated reserve systems.
Context: Military Funeral Honors in the Air Force
Military funeral honors are a solemn commitment. By law, eligible veterans receive at least a two-person detail (with at least one from the deceased’s branch) to fold and present the flag and play “Taps.” Enhanced details (e.g., 7-person or full honors) may be available depending on resources and the veteran’s status.
Eligibility for Honors generally includes:
- Active duty deaths.
- Veterans with honorable or under honorable conditions discharge.
- Certain reserve members with qualifying service.
Families typically request honors through their funeral director, who contacts the appropriate service coordinator (for Air Force, often via base honor guards or the centralized office at Dover AFB). A DD Form 214 or equivalent is usually required for verification.
Air Force base honor guards follow detailed protocols for ceremony sequences, as outlined in honor guard manuals and DAFI 34-160.
Additional Resources
- DAFI 34-160, Mortuary Affairs Program — Primary guidance on funeral honors.
- DAFMAN 36-2136, Reserve Personnel Participation — Details on funeral honors duty status.
- Military OneSource Funeral Honors Directory — Locate local coordinators by state.
- National Archives — For DD Form 214 requests (Standard Form 180).
For questions about performing duty or processing AF Form 40B, contact your unit Military Personnel Section (MPS), base honor guard, or mortuary affairs office.
Honoring those who served is a core Air Force value. Proper documentation via AF Form 40B ensures participants receive appropriate recognition while supporting families during difficult times.
This article is for informational purposes only and is based on publicly available official U.S. Air Force sources as of 2026. Always consult the latest directives on e-Publishing.af.mil or your chain of command for current guidance and form instructions.