Veteran Services

Honor Veterans with Dignified Services

Arrange Veteran Services in Scranton

In Scranton, Shepherds Funeral Home is committed to honoring veterans with services that reflect their dedication and sacrifice. Our compassionate guidance helps you navigate VA benefits and plan a service worthy of a veteran. Imagine a ceremony where the sound of “Taps” fills the air, and the flag is presented with respect. Are you unsure about eligibility? We assist with VA burial benefits and interment in national cemeteries.


Our veteran services include military funeral honors, such as rifle detail and color guard, and assistance with applications for benefits. Eligible veterans may receive funeral cost coverage, transportation, and headstones at no charge. Shepherds Funeral Home is here to ensure that those who served our country are honored with dignity and care.


Lock in a consultation with us to plan a service that honors your veteran’s legacy.

What to Expect When You Book

Our veteran services are designed to provide a dignified farewell for those who served. We offer comprehensive support to ensure that every detail is handled with care. Here’s what you can expect:



  • Compassionate guidance and expert help with VA benefits
  • Military funeral honors including “Taps” and flag presentation
  • Assistance with VA burial benefits and cemetery interment
  • Eligibility for funeral cost coverage and transportation
  • Headstones or markers provided at no charge for eligible veterans


Schedule a consultation to ensure your veteran receives the honors they deserve.

Veteran Services

At Shepherd's Funeral Home, we deeply honor the courage and sacrifice of those who have served our country. We recognize that our freedoms are made possible by their patriotism, dedication, and unwavering commitment to protect others.


Our team is proud to support veterans and their families by providing compassionate guidance and expert assistance in securing the benefits available through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. We are here to ensure every veteran is honored with the dignity and respect they deserve.

A woman is holding an american flag and a rose at a funeral.

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. Memorial items are 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 help cover the burial, funeral and transportation costs associated with the deceased’s services and disposition. For those being buried in a national cemetery, survivors can receive assistance with the burial and funeral costs, the plot or internment, and the transporting of the veteran’s remains for burial.


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.