Recently an e-mail told of the words when handing the funeral flag over to a military persons survivors, that in the past, thanks from the presidents for his service has been changed to thanks from the Secretary of Defence. Anybody confirm this? Snopes has not picked it up yet.

I found stuff on it, but mostly hearsay.
I wonder if the family members with respect to the fallen, knew he hated Hussein so much so, that he didn't want Hussein's name mentioned at his funeral? :))

I found the DOD policy on funerals ( http://www.tybeetyme.com/american_legion/funeral_honors_ceremony.pdf ) and #11 says....

Quote11. The detail leader will present the flag to the next of kin. (The wording accompanying the presentation should be in accordance with each Military Service's tradition of expressing the thanks of a grateful Nation.)

(Emphasis added.)

Wikipedia has more, broken down by service....

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Depending on the service of the selected honor guard chosen to present the flag to the next of kin, each of the five military branches uses slightly different wording.^[11]
An honor guard representing the United States Army would present the flag to the next of kin by saying:^[11]
 

" On behalf of the President of the United States and the people of a grateful nation, may I present this flag as a token of appreciation for the honorable and faithful service your loved one rendered this nation.[/t] "   An honor guard representing the United States Navy would present the flag to the next of kin by saying:[11]   " On behalf of the President of the United States and the Chief of Naval Operations, please accept this flag as a symbol of our appreciation for your loved one's service to this Country and a grateful Navy.[/t] "   An honor guard representing the United States Marine Corps would present the flag to the next of kin by saying:[11]   " On behalf of the President of the United States, the Commandant of the Marine Corps, and a grateful nation, please accept this flag as a symbol of our appreciation for your loved one's service to Country and Corps.[/t] "   An honor guard representing the United States Air Force would present the flag to the next of kin by saying:[11] " On behalf of the President of the United States, the Department of the Air Force, and a grateful nation, we offer this flag for the faithful and dedicated service of (Service member's rank and name).     (NOTE: If the next-of-kin has expressed a religious preference or belief, the Air Force honor guard will add: "God bless you and this family, and God bless the United States of America.") An honor guard representing the United States Coast Guard would present the flag to the next of kin by saying:[11]   " On behalf of the President of the United States, the Commandant of the Coast Guard, and a grateful nation, please accept this flag as a symbol of our appreciation for your loved one's service to Country and the Coast Guard. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Military_funeral[/t]