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Honoring Veterans

Honoring Veterans

We're proud to do our part in honoring our country's veterans. Our duty is to provide you and your family with professional and dignified assistance during your time of need, and we promise to support you in honoring your loved one for their dedication and selfless service.

Stevens Mortuary is proud to honor our nation's military, both active duty and veterans. We also recognize the dedication of our law enforcement, firefighters, and first responders. As such, we offer the "American Patriot" package to all those who are serving, or have served our country in one of these capacities. At Stevens Mortuary, we truly honor the service and sacrifice our veterans and their families have given to this great nation. We take special care to pay lasting tribute to the memory of each and every veteran and their family.  As a veteran with a qualifying discharge, the option of being buried in a State or National Cemetery is available. Spouses and dependent children are also eligible, even if they predecease the veteran. The VA cemeteries require a marriage certificate for the spouse and a DD-214 for the veteran to be eligible for services. You may also "pre-register" at the VA cemetery for the burial of the veteran and the spouse. The State of Tennessee also provides the first three (3) death certificates free of charge to the family of a deceased veteran. The benefits listed below are considered "standard" benefits available to all veterans with a qualifying discharge.



Please join us as we honor all the men and women of The United States Armed Forces, living and deceased. No words can express our heartfelt thanks and appreciation. Please pray for our troops and their families.



AMERICAN PATRIOT PACKAGE

Offered only to active, retired and honorably discharged Military, Law Enforcement, Fire Fighters, and First Responders:

Traditional funeral service/visitation, pre-selected Batesville casket, Doric burial vault, commemorative lid panel OR cremation with memorial service/visitation, pre-selected Dodge urn, and commemorative faceplate

 

Experience the Stevens difference: Service like it used to be.



Military Funeral Service

May include the following:

  • A Military Chaplain for family members
  • Flag Presentation Service
  • A Final Salute at the grave site
  • A 21 Gun Salute
  • The US Flag draped over the casket and given to the next of kin following services
  • The Playing of Taps

Note: Families may choose to have a presentation of the flag and taps only.

Other Veteran Benefits

In addition to coordinating honors related to the service itself, we can help you communicate with the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to arrange for:

  • A Presidential Memorial Certificate. This is a certificate expressing the nation's recognition of the veteran's service. The veteran's name is inscribed and the certificate bears the signature of the president. Certificates are issued in the name of honorably discharged, deceased veterans. Contact us for assistance in applying for a Presidential Memorial Certificate, and we will be happy to guide you through the process.
  • Headstones or Markers. The VA provides headstones and markers for the graves of veterans anywhere in the world and for eligible dependents of veterans buried in national, state veteran or military cemeteries.
  • Memorial Plots. If an eligible veteran's remains are not available for burial, the VA will provide a plot and headstone or marker in a national cemetery for memorialization. If you wish to place the memorial in a cemetery other than a national cemetery, the VA will provide the headstone or marker but not the plot itself.
  • Reimbursement of Burial Expenses. For information on eligibility and the different levels of potential reimbursement, please review their Guide to VA Burial Allowances.

 

Burial in a State or National Cemetery

  • Opening and closing of the grave or burial of cremated remains or placement in an above-ground columbarium. (There will be a charge of $300.00 for burial of spouse or dependent child.)
  • A government furnished grave liner (If an outer container is not purchased through the funeral home.)
  • Perpetual care of the gravesite
  • A headstone or marker with an inscription
  • A burial flag (provided by the funeral home)
  • May be full honors or two man team
  • A Presidential Memorial Certificate

 

Burial in a private cemetery

  • A government headstone, marker, or medallion
  • A burial flag (Provided by the funeral home)
  • A Presidential Memorial Certificate
  • May be full honors or two man team
  • Some survivors may also be entitled to VA burial allowances as partial reimbursement for the costs of funerals and burials. (See next section to learn if you or your family are eligible)

 

VA Burial Allowances

VA burial allowances are flat-rate monetary benefits that are generally paid at the maximum amount authorized by law for an eligible veteran's burial and funeral costs. The VA may grant additional benefits, including the plot or interment allowance and transportation allowance, if it receives a claim for these benefits. (VA Form 21P-530) The funeral home will supply and fill-out VA Form 21P-530 if the deceased's family is eligible. To qualify, the veteran must have been discharged under conditions other than dishonorable. In addition, at least one of the following conditions must be met:

  • The veteran died as a result of a service-connected disability
  • The veteran was receiving VA pension or compensation at the time of death
  • The veteran was entitled to receive VA pension or compensation, but decided to receive a full military retirement or disability pay
  • The veteran died while hospitalized by VA, or while receiving care under VA contract at a non-VA facility
  • The veteran died while traveling under proper authorization and at VA expense to, or from, a specified place for the purpose of examination, treatment, or care.
  • The veteran had an original or reopened claim for VA compensation or pension pending at the time of death and would have been entitled to benefits from a date prior to the date of death.
  • The veteran died while a patient at a VA- approved state nursing home.


You can apply by completing VA Form 21P-530 Application for Burial Benefits. The funeral home will fill-out the form and attach a copy of the veteran's DD Form 214 and a certified copy of the death certificate. If transportation expenses are being claimed, a receipt for the expenses paid must also be attached. A claim for non-service connected burial allowance must be filed with VA within 2 years after the date of the veteran's permanent burial or cremation. There is NO time limit for the service-connected burial allowance, plot or interment allowance. If the family has any concerns or questions, they may contact the VA at 1-800-827-1000. Families may also want to inquire if they are eligible for any state benefits for survivors of veterans. Some of the benefits may be as below:

  • Educational assistance
  • Land settlement preference
  • Civil service preference
  • Tax and license fee exemptions
  • Loans
  • Relief and rehabilitation
  • Employment assistance and bonuses



Additional Resources

Please visit the following links for detailed information about the options available for honoring service members and other aspects of military funerals:

 

*NOTE: At this time the National Cemetery in Knoxville does not have burial space available.

 

Stevens Mortuary Inc. | (865) 524-0331
1304 Oglewood Avenue, Knoxville, TN

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