Veteran cremation costs vary depending on the provider, location, and specific services selected. However, veterans often have access to discounts, benefits, and financial aid that can help reduce the overall expense. Below is a breakdown of the typical costs, available benefits, and resources that can help veterans and their families manage cremation expenses.
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What You Need to Know About Veteran Cremation Costs in Pennsylvania
- Cremation Costs: Basic cremation services typically range from $800 to $2,500, while cremation with a memorial service can cost between $2,000 and $5,000. Full-service cremation, including embalming and a viewing, may cost $4,000 to $10,000 or more.
- Veteran Benefits: Veterans are eligible for free burial in VA national cemeteries, along with a government-issued headstone, flag, and Presidential Memorial Certificate. Additionally, the VA may reimburse families up to $300 for cremation expenses, which can increase if the veteran died from a service-connected disability.
- Discounts and Assistance Programs: Many funeral homes offer veteran discounts for cremation services, and organizations like the VFW, American Legion, and the Department of Defense’s Military Funeral Honors Program may provide financial aid or free services, including funeral honors.
- Pre-Paid Cremation and Financial Aid: Veterans can pre-pay for cremation services to lock in current prices and may be eligible for discounted rates. It’s important to work with funeral homes experienced with veterans’ benefits to ensure all discounts and financial assistance options are utilized.
Average Cremation Costs
Whether you’re a veteran preplanning for your funeral or recently lost a loved one who was a member of the U.S. military, you need to be aware of funeral and cemetery expenses. Here’s what you need to know about burial and funeral costs for the general public.
- Basic Cremation (Direct Cremation): Direct cremation refers to the practice of the body being transported from the place of death to the cremation facility for immediate cremation. Direct (or basic) cremation typically ranges from $800 to $2,500. This price generally includes the cremation itself and minimal services, such as transportation and paperwork required for the death certificate.
- Cremation with Memorial Service: Please note that you can pay for direct cremation – and then plan a memorial service or celebration of life on your own. However, if you wish to have a funeral director help with the funeral service, these packages typically cost between $2,000 and $5,000.
- Full-Service Cremation (Including Viewing): Some funeral homes may offer full-service cremation, which includes embalming, a viewing, a ceremony, and cremation. These services can range from $4,000 to $10,000 or more.
Benefits & Discounts for Veterans
Veterans and their families can often access several benefits to reduce the cost of end-of-life services. These benefits typically come from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and veterans’ organizations.
Veterans Administration (VA) Benefits
Veterans are eligible for free burial in a VA national cemetery (or state veterans cemetery), which includes the gravesite (for a casket or urned cremated remains), a government-issued headstone or marker, a U.S. flag to drape the casket or present with the urn, and a Presidential Memorial Certificate, which is a certificate issued by the President in honor of the deceased veteran. You may also receive benefits, such as a free grave marker or a burial allowance, even if you choose a private cemetery.
The family may be eligible for a reimbursement of up to $300 for cremation expenses through the VA Burial Benefits Program. This amount can be increased depending on specific circumstances, such as if the veteran died from a service-connected disability.
Funeral Homes with Veteran Discounts
Some funeral homes offer veteran discounts on cremation services. Funeral homes might also provide bundled packages that include the urn, a simple memorial service, and transportation at reduced rates for veterans.
Financial Aid & Assistance Programs
In addition to the VA benefits, several charitable organizations and financial aid programs provide assistance for veterans’ funeral and cremation expenses.
- Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW): Some local chapters of the VFW provide financial assistance to veterans’ families for funeral costs. This aid may cover a portion of cremation or burial expenses.
- American Legion: The American Legion also provides funeral assistance in some instances, especially for veterans who were members in good standing at the time of their death.
- Survivor Benefits: If the veteran was receiving benefits from the VA at the time of death, the surviving spouse or children may be eligible for a monthly Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) payment. These funds can sometimes be used to help cover funeral expenses.
- Military Funeral Honors Program: The Department of Defense offers military honors at no cost to veterans’ families. This can include a flag-folding ceremony, a bugler playing “Taps,” and a military representative at the funeral or memorial service.
Pre-Paid Cremation Plans
Some veterans choose to pre-pay for their cremation services through a pre-need plan, which may help lock in current prices and alleviate the financial burden on family members. Many funeral homes offer discounted rates for veterans who pre-arrange and pre-pay for their cremation services.
How to Apply for Benefits
To apply for VA burial and cremation benefits, you will need to:
- Complete the VA Form 21P-530Â for burial benefits, which can be submitted online, by mail, or at your local VA office.
- Provide documentation proving the veteran’s service, such as a DD-214 (Discharge papers).
- Contact the funeral home where you plan to arrange the cremation, as they can help guide you through the VA process and ensure you receive any eligible benefits or reimbursements.
Veterans’ families should take advantage of all available benefits to ensure they are not paying more than necessary for cremation services. It’s helpful to consult with funeral homes with experience working with veterans to ensure you receive all entitled benefits and discounts.
Schedule a consultation with the Philadelphia Cremation Society for affordable cremation services in and around Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Our staff is highly knowledgeable about national and local veterans’ death benefits, and we also offer special packages for our nation’s veterans. When death occurs, call (610) 557-8169.