Funeral & Burial Services
 

Greetings Members:

Seeking guidance and advice for a fellow Villager who's husband is terminally ill and his death is imminent regarding non-religious funeral services and a burial site near The Villages as she plans on continuing to live here.

The gentleman is an honorably retired service member and both are on a limited income. The lady has minimal family support and I am trying to assist her the best I can. Any guidance, suggestions and advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thank You.

Here is a link to the VA regarding death benefits: Burial Benefits - Compensation

There is a Milatary Cemetary in Bushnell: Florida National Cemetery - National Cemetery Administration

Also there is a Veterans Office at the Library on Powell Road. Hopefully these items can help

Sorry, should have also posted the phone number for the Veterans Office: (352) 689-4450

There is a Military cemetery right down 301 in Bushnell, you can search it online. Also Baldwin Bros. can help you with arrangements.

Cremation is the most economical for someone on a limited budget. Many VA cemeteries have above ground cremains vaults due to the popularity of cremation. If cremation is not desired the VA provides a burial plot and headstone at no cost but the coffin and embalming must be paid for by the survivors. Many VA cemeteries have a small chapel for the funeral service so you don't have to pay a mortuary for the use of their facility. The Bushnell VA cemetery will be my final resting place.

My husband was a member of the military and when he died he was buried at Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell which is beautiful & well kept. I paid for the cremation and then the funeral home took care of contacting the cemetery and the delivery of his ashes. The burial and headstone were free and I will also be buried there (your name is added to the back of the service person's headstone). You can have the service at the Cemetery as someone else mentioned or you could do a Celebration of Life at any of the Recreation Centers in The Villages (not sure of the cost).

I used Beyers Funeral Home for both of my parents. I made arrangements ahead of time (inclluding giving them copies of my dad's DD-214) as well as copies of each of their birth certificates. When each of them passed while in a nursing home, I simply told the funeral home to contact Beyers. They made the arrangements with Bushnell, contacted the Navy and arranged for a firing party and chaplain. There are a number of designated shelters for graveside services (including firing party and bugler).

I have given them the necessary documents for both my wife and myself. Having a loved one pass away is difficult enough. Having to make all sort of arrangements is just more stress.

As he is a veteran, the local Cornerstone Hospice offers a veteran a Military Salute and it can be done at the veteran's home. There is no cost and it is a short, wonderful ceremony for both the veteran and family members. I know, I have personally performed more than 100.

Add me to the list of recommending Florida National Cemetery at Bushnell. Think of a well-kept park instead of a typical cemetery. It's beautifully maintained and well-designed.

Both my step-father (ex-Navy) and my mom are interred there. The cemetery has "columbariums", above-ground sections designed to hold ashes of those who have been cremated. Of course, there are also many different grave site locations, too.

Any funeral home / crematorium should have and handle all the details of working with Florida National Cemetery. Your friend will need to have her spouse's military records - frequently known as a "DD-214" discharge paper to show proof of his service.

Here's the link to the Florida National Cemetery: Florida National Cemetery - National Cemetery Administration

Read the "Frequently Asked Questions" link on the left sidebar.

Here's another good link on veteran's burial benefits: Eligibility For Burial In A VA National Cemetery | Veterans Affairs.

Contact the VA administration and consider being placed at the National VA cemetery in Burnell Florida or any National Cemetery . It is close by and a beautiful cemetery. Plot and headstone provided to military service person and spouse can also be placed at no cost. And they provide nice service at grave site for military person.

If he is an honorably discharged veteran with a DD214, he may be eligible for free interment at Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell. A Cremation Service or Funeral Home can assist with arrangements at the cemetery for a veteran with any length of active duty service.

I would only add the Florida department of Veterans affairs
office closest to where you live in addition to the Veterans affairs
national phone number and of course the VA hospital near you . In most cases the Florida department of Veterans affairs has an office there . The funeral home can help with military ceremonies. Having the DD214 is good and us older Veterans social security number was our military ID . Very sorry

If you are not doing cremation, there may be costs associated with preparing and storing the body until the funeral service. A family member was buried at Arlington National Cemetery, but it took several months to schedule the funeral. The funeral and burial were free, but she got a bill from the funeral home for about $18K to store the body while waiting for the funeral.

Burial services
 

My husband works for Beyers funeral home and crematory in Lady Lake. They are the local experts on veterans burial arrangements for any of the national cemeteries including Florida national cemetery in Bushnell. They also have the only local crematory in their Leesburg funeral home if you are considering cremation. I would recommend that you call their office at 352-753-4444 and speak with them. They will be more than happy to assist you and answer any questions you may have.

No DD214....use this form to request one
 

Many people cannot put their hands on their military paperwork, specifically their spouse's DD215. Attached is a PDF form to request this important document.

I'm not retired yet (56 yrs old), but I am a municipal tax assessor here in Maine and use this form frequently to assist our service members.

Sorry to hear about these end-of-live plans, but we all have to do it...death n taxes.

Clint