One of the most symbolic practice in any military funeral is the firing of a rifle into the air, this is known as the three-volley salute. Three-volley salute is the practice in which a rifle party or an honour guard team fires no less than 3 and not more than 7 shots into the air to honour their fallen member.



This practice has its origin from the era of the European dynastic wars, in which the fighting ceased so that the dead can be removed from the battlefield, after they have been removed, 3 shots are then fired into the air to signify that the dead have been removed and the battle may continue.



How it is performed

An honour guard team consisting of an odd number of riflemen from 3 to 7 stands close to the casket, in a way that the muzzle of the gun is over the casket and on command of the NCO-in-charge the honour guard team raises their guns and fire 3 times simultaneously, however, if people are close to the grave the honour guard will stand some distance of at least 50 feet so as not to deafen the people.




Blank cartridges are used during this process, the three fired cartridges are inserted into the folded flag that will be given to the next of kin, the 3 cartridges stand for "duty, honour, and sacrifice.”