1194 E Mount Morris Rd Mount Morris, MI 48458
Serving Veterans and their families has been a part of our heritage since we opened our doors in 1929. Over the past century, we’ve been honored to bury Veterans that have served our country since the Civil War. As Mid-Michigan’s only certified member of the Veterans Funeral Care™ network of providers, you can be certain that paying tribute to those that have dedicated some part of their lives to ensuring our freedom is our top priority.
Our mission is to provide you and your family with unparalleled support from the first phone call we receive to the final trumpets sounding of “Taps,” guiding you every step of the way.
Veteran Services
Our Veteran Specialists can save eligible Veterans and their family members more than $10,000.00 by maximizing the options available to them.
Let our Veteran specialists assist you with:
- VA Burial and Cremation paperwork and applications
- Arranging for FREE burial in ANY National Cemetery
- Coordinating Military Honors
- Obtaining the Burial Flag
- Applying for the Presidential Memorial Certificate
- Completing the application for a Grave Marker/Headstone
- Locating lost Discharge Paperwork (DD-214)
- Completing applications for eligible financial reimbursements
If you are interested in the benefits that you or your family are entitled to, please call 810-686-2210.
Unique to us are two initiatives that honor and support Veterans in special ways.
First is our “Retire Your Flag with Honor” Campaign. Whenever we cremate a Veteran, the body is draped with a retired American Flag that is no longer suitable for display (torn, tattered, soiled). This honors both the Veteran in death while also respectfully retiring the American Flag. We gladly accept donated flags!
Second is “Operation Toy Soldier.” Similar in nature to “Toys for Tots,” but with a specific focus on our Military Families, “Operation Toy Soldier” is a not-for-profit which collects new, unwrapped toys and financial gifts to support all families in our communities connected to the military whether they are active duty, veterans, retired or reservists.
What are VA burial benefits and memorial items?
The VA burial benefits are designed to assist service members, veterans, and their families plan and pay for a burial or memorial service in a VA national cemetery, like Fort Snelling National Cemetery here in Minnesota. A full-sized memorial flag is provided through the Veterans Affairs to honor the service of those who have served the country.
Who qualifies for burial benefits and burial in a national cemetery?
Veterans, service members, spouses, and dependents may be eligible for burial in a VA national cemetery, as well as other benefits, if they meet one of the requirements listed below:
- A veteran who didn’t receive a dishonorable discharge
- A service member who died while on active duty, active duty for training, or inactive duty for training
- The spouse or minor child of a veteran, even if the veteran died first
- In some cases, the unmarried adult dependent child of a veteran
What are military funeral honors and a committal service?
Military funeral honors include the playing of “Taps,” a rifle detail, a color guard and uniformed service members who properly fold and present the United States flag to the grieving family. These flags are typically given to the deceased’s next of kin or close friend. In order for the survivors to qualify to receive the burial flag, the veteran or reservist must be described by at least one of the following:
- Served in wartime
- Died while serving on active duty after May 27, 1941
- Served after January 31, 1955
- Served in peacetime and left military service before June 27, 1950, after serving at least one enlistment or because of a disability that was caused - or made worse - by their active military service
- Served in the Selected Reserves, or served in the military forces of the Philippines while in service of the United States and died on or after April 25, 1951.
What are burial benefits and how do I apply?
The veterans death benefits for a National Cemetery generally cover the burial plot, grave liner, grave opening and closing, headstone, and military honors. These benefits, except the honors, are generally extended to a veteran's current or widowed spouse, and any legal dependent.
You must file a claim for a non-service-connected burial allowance within two years after the veteran’s burial or cremation. There is no time limit to file for a service-connected burial, plot or interment allowance.
You can apply online at https://www.va.gov/burials-and-memorials/application/530/introduction or by mail after completing the VA Form 21P-530.
A veteran who didn’t receive a dishonorable discharge or a service member who died while on active duty may be eligible for a headstone or marker if they meet certain requirements. To find out if your deceased loved one qualifies, visit https://www.va.gov/burials-memorials/memorial-items/headstones-markers-medallions/
The Department of Veteran Affairs also provides a headstone for unmarked graves of an eligible deceased veteran at no charge. To request a headstone, grave marker, or niche marker, fill out the VA Form 10-1330 and send to:
Department of Veteran Affairs
5109 Russell Road
Quantico, VA 22134-3909
For more information regarding VA burial benefits and memorial items, visit https://www.va.gov/burials-memorials/ or contact the VA office at 1-800-827-1000.
