Anders-Rice Funeral Home, Inc.

Veteran services at Anders-Rice Funeral Home, Inc.

Anders-Rice Funeral Home, Inc. in Asheville, NC supports veteran families with military funeral arrangements. In their own words: "Anders-Rice Funeral Home provides comprehensive support for veterans and their families, assisting with Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) burial benefits. This includes guidance on burial allowances, government-issued headstones or markers, burial flags, Presidential Memorial Certificates, and military honors such as an Honor Guard, flag folding and presentation, and the playing of 'Taps.' They offer an informational Veterans' Burial Benefits eBook and clarify that while the VA provides allowances, it does not cover the full cost of a veteran's funeral. Eligibility requirements and exclusions (e.g., dishonorable discharge) are also detailed." On-site amenities include chapel, suited to flag presentation and honors ceremonies. Published pricing lists $3,495 for basic burial and $3,395 for direct cremation. The non-declinable service fee is $3,295. Veterans may qualify for county or federal allowances toward these costs.

Veteran-related services offered include cremation, green burial, burial, veterans services, memorial service, and direct cremation. Each service is coordinated with the family and, where applicable, with the deceased's last unit or branch honor detail.

On-site facilities of note include chapel. These spaces accommodate full military honors details, family gatherings before and after the service, and the placement of the United States flag during the visitation period.

Published pricing at Anders-Rice Funeral Home, Inc.: direct cremation from $3,295. That places direct cremation roughly 78% above the North Carolina median ($1,850). Veterans who served on active duty for at least 24 months may qualify for VA burial allowance to offset funeral costs — this home accepts assignment of those benefits where eligible.

The nearest VA national cemetery is Western Carolina State Veterans Cemetery in NC, approximately 14 miles from Anders-Rice Funeral Home, Inc.. Anders-Rice Funeral Home, Inc. can coordinate transport, scheduling with the cemetery's interment office, and the timing of military honors with the receiving committal shelter.

North Carolina has approximately 845 licensed funeral homes serving its population, of which a subset specifically lists military funeral honors and VA benefits assistance among their services. Anders-Rice Funeral Home, Inc. is among them.

Frequently asked questions

What sets Anders-Rice Funeral Home, Inc. apart

• On-site crematory with dedicated arrangement, viewing, and family rooms, ensuring continuous care for the deceased.
• Green Burial Council certified, offering eco-friendly burial options and partnering with Passages International for biodegradable products.
• Specialized Veterans Services, including assistance with VA benefits, military honors, and informational resources.
• Family-owned and operated since 1937, now in its third generation of service.
• Commitment to personalized, meaningful, and healing funeral and cremation ceremonies.
• Annual inspections of the crematory by the Buncombe County Clean Air Agency and manufacturer for environmental efficiency.

Military & veteran services offered

Burial & cremation services

On-site facilities

Affiliations & specializations

Religious traditions & languages

Religious traditions accommodated: Presbyterian (Reformed), Baptist (Missionary, Pole Creek, Freedom, Enon).

How honors are coordinated

Military funeral honors are guaranteed at no cost for any veteran discharged under conditions other than dishonorable. The funeral home arranges the honors detail by contacting the deceased's last unit or the nearest active-duty installation of the appropriate branch and submitting the DD-214 to verify eligibility.

For requests less than 72 hours from service time, families can call the Department of Defense's expedited honors line at 1-877-MIL-HONR (1-877-645-4667). See the full honors protocol.