| It has become increasingly popular for U.S. | | | | pleats and glengarry ribbons pressed; every |
| military veterans and their families to | | | | bit as squared away as a military uniform. A |
| specifically request a piper to not only pipe | | | | homemade kilt in MacWal-Mart tartan with |
| for a funeral, but to pipe Taps for the | | | | athletic socks and a JC Penny blazer |
| rendering of military honors as well. | | | | definitely won't cut it. You'll need decent |
| Funerals for law enforcement and fire | | | | enough kit to look respectable standing |
| personnel in the United States have a long | | | | alongside Marines in their Class A's. |
| tradition of incorporating pipers and | | | | However, do not wear a Prince Charlie and bow |
| military honors, and most departmental | | | | tie unless all the other members of the |
| funerary protocols closely follow those of | | | | funeral party are in tuxedos and evening |
| the U.S. military. The following is a brief | | | | gowns. Active duty or retired military |
| general outline of what to expect and what | | | | personnel and members of the VFW or American |
| will be expected of you as a member of an | | | | Legion may wear their uniforms. Police, EMS, |
| honor guard when playing Taps.You should be | | | | and fire personnel uniform should conform to |
| well prepared before the funeral, your pipes | | | | agency guidelines; when in doubt check with |
| should be well tuned, well set up, steady, | | | | your departmental chaplain prior to arrival. |
| and reliable. Paramilitary band uniforms, | | | | It is completely beyond my comprehension that |
| appearance, and instrument should meet or | | | | this even needs to be said, but unfortunately |
| exceed the military standards as outlined in | | | | it does; the wearing of military uniform and |
| British or Canadian Army regulations for | | | | insignia to which you have not earned the |
| pipers. Civilian dress should look equally | | | | right is extremely offensive to those who |
| neat and presentable; jacket brushed, | | | | have. |
| metalwork polished, leather waxed, and kilt | | | | |