As of 2024, the organization is no longer in operation. We recommend contacting your local high school band director to find a student trumpet player who can play Taps. If a local student is not available, try other organizations that have volunteers available to play Taps, such as Bugles Across America or Taps for Veterans.

You can expect to be at the funeral service for up to three hours. This includes arriving early, rehearsing, waiting on the family to arrive, the actual service, and the playing of the final Taps. In some circumstances this may take a longer or shorter time. You are dismissed when the Honor Guard is dismissed. At a graveside service, this may happen at the very beginning. At a chapel or church service, you may not sound Taps until the very end.

Practice playing Taps. When you are ready to volunteer, contact a local funeral home to offer your services.

Playing Taps at a funeral is a high-pressure solo performance. Volunteer Players need to have experience playing solos and feel comfortable performing in front of large audiences in high-pressure situations.

Taps was traditionally played on a bugle. Taps may also be played on a trumpet or cornet.

Taps is traditionally played with open fingerings.

You will arrive early and meet with the funeral director and/or the Officer In Charge (OIC). They will direct you where to stand.

Choose the cemetery nearest your home or school. Contact the funeral homes in your area and ask which cemeteries they serve.

You will receive last minute notice. It will likely be less than 48 hours and possibly as few as 6-12 hours notice.

Many veteran funerals are held on weekdays, so you may have to miss school. If you get a call for a day that you cannot miss school, you may respectfully decline and contact Bugles Across America or taps for Veterans so we can help find another bugler. Because notice is short, we recommend that you get approval from your band director and high school principal at the beginning of each school year. Students should follow their schools policy for requesting and documenting absences.
"Texas Education Code § 25.087(b-4)(2)(c) A school district may excuse a student in grades 6 through 12 for the purpose of sounding "Taps" at a military honors funeral held in this state for a deceased veteran.

"Oklahoma State Dept. of Education [70 O.S. § 10-105(B)] A school district shall excuse a student from attending school for the purpose of participating in a military funeral honors ceremony upon approval of the school principal. (Senate Bill 1715)

"West Virginia Board of Education Policy 6302 – Taps at Military Funerals, 6302.4.4 Absences incurred through participation in the sounding of Taps shall be considered an excused absence as a school approved cocurricular/extra- curricular activity. (WVEIS Code X-1)

"Wisconsin Board of Education 430-Rule (2) Students in grades 6 to 12 will be excused for the purpose of sounding "Taps" during a military honors funeral for a deceased veteran.

"Illinois Statutes 105 ILCS 5/26-1 7. A child in any of grades 6 through 12 absent from a public school on a particular day or days or at a particular time of day for the purpose of sounding "Taps" at a military honors funeral held in this State for a deceased veteran…" Click here to see full text and requirements. (HB4432)

YTTC volunteer buglers are expected to dress respectfully. You may wear a scout uniform or black suit/dress (funeral attire). Be sure to consider coordinating weather-appropriate dark outerwear and shoes, because funerals are held regardless of the weather.

No. Volunteer buglers provide their services free of charge.

Yes. In fact, the Department of Defense says a live bugler (military or civilian) should be sought before the use of a recording is authorized.

" DoDI 1300.15, October 22, 2007 states: 5.3.7. Provide a bugler, either military or civilian, for the sounding of Taps. Bugler support may be contracted or voluntary. The Military Service responsible for providing military funeral honors shall ensure that there is an active search for a bugler. If none is available, the Service representative may authorize the playing of a high quality recording of Taps on a stereo player or ceremonial bugle and shall ensure that it is available. In general, whereas a bugler sounds Taps in a prominent position, to include a member using the ceremonial bugle, sound systems should be out of sight of the funeral party.