Veteran services at Asper Funeral Homes
Asper Funeral Homes, located in Shelby, MT, assists those who served and their families. In their own words: "Asper Funeral Homes assists families in obtaining benefits provided through the United States Department of Veterans Affairs for deceased veterans. They help complete necessary forms for VA burial benefits, which can assist with planning and paying for burial or memorial services in a VA national cemetery. Eligibility for burial in a VA national cemetery and other benefits extends to veterans who did not receive a dishonorable discharge, service members who died on active duty, and the spouse or minor child of a veteran. The funeral home also helps arrange military funeral honors, including the playing of 'Taps,' a rifle detail, a color guard, and the presentation of the United States flag to the family. They provide guidance on applying for veterans death benefits to cover burial, funeral, and transportation costs, and assist with requesting headstones or markers for eligible veterans' graves." On-site amenities include whitted funeral chapel and on-site chapel, suited to flag presentation and honors ceremonies. Published pricing lists $5,515 for basic burial and $2,895 for direct cremation. Veterans may qualify for county or federal allowances toward these costs.
Veteran-related services offered include cremation services and veterans services. 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 whitted funeral chapel and on-site 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 Asper Funeral Homes: direct cremation from $2,895. That places direct cremation roughly 22% above the Montana median ($2,367). 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 Montana State Veterans Cemetery - Fort Harrison in MT, approximately 108 miles from Asper Funeral Homes. Asper Funeral Homes can coordinate transport, scheduling with the cemetery's interment office, and the timing of military honors with the receiving committal shelter.
Montana has approximately 100 licensed funeral homes serving its population, of which a subset specifically lists military funeral honors and VA benefits assistance among their services. Asper Funeral Homes is among them.
Frequently asked questions
What does a funeral at Asper Funeral Homes cost for veteran families?
From its published general price list, direct cremation starts at $2,895. Eligible veterans can offset these costs with a VA burial allowance, and burial in a VA national cemetery is provided at no charge.
Where is Asper Funeral Homes located, and can it coordinate a veterans cemetery burial?
Asper Funeral Homes is located at 225 6th Ave. S in Shelby, MT. You can reach the home at (406) 434-2172. Staff can coordinate burial with nearby VA national and state veterans cemeteries.
What services does Asper Funeral Homes offer veteran families?
Asper Funeral Homes provides traditional services, cremation services, veterans services, personalization, monuments, and can arrange military funeral honors for eligible veterans.
Does Asper Funeral Homes help veterans with VA burial benefits?
Asper Funeral Homes assists families in obtaining benefits provided through the United States Department of Veterans Affairs for deceased veterans. They help complete necessary forms for VA burial benefits, which can assist with planning and paying for burial or memorial services in a VA national cemetery. Eligibility for burial in a VA national cemetery and other benefits extends to veterans who did not receive a dishonorable discharge, service members who died on active duty, and the spouse or minor child of a veteran. The funeral home also helps arrange military funeral honors, including the playing of 'Taps,' a rifle detail, a color guard, and the presentation of the United States flag to the family. They provide guidance on applying for veterans death benefits to cover burial, funeral, and transportation costs, and assist with requesting headstones or markers for eligible veterans' graves.
Which faith traditions does Asper Funeral Homes accommodate?
Staff coordinate services for Lutheran, Catholic, Baptist, Methodist, Assemblies of God families, among others.
What sets Asper Funeral Homes apart
- Family-owned and operated by Jim and Autumn Asper, with son Austin also involved in daily operations.
- Multiple facilities across north central Montana, including Shelby, Cut Bank, Chester, and Conrad, providing broad regional coverage.
- Direct provision of monuments and headstones.
- Offers a year of weekly grief messages for ongoing support.
- Availability of life celebrants for services when clergy may not be chosen.
- Assistance with Social Security benefits and Veterans Affairs benefits claims.
Military & veteran services offered
Burial & cremation services
Cremation
- · Cremation Services
On-site facilities
Affiliations & specializations
Industry affiliations
- · Montana Funeral Directors Association
Specializations
- · Traditional Services
- · Cremation Services
- · Veteran services
- · Personalization
Religious traditions & languages
Religious traditions accommodated: Lutheran, Catholic, Baptist, Methodist, Assemblies of God, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Languages spoken at the home: English.
EverSettled · After the Veteran Funeral
The veteran's spouse may qualify for VA Dependency & Indemnity Compensation.
DIC is a tax-free monthly benefit for surviving spouses, dependent children, and (in some cases) parents of veterans whose death is service-connected. EverSettled walks veteran families through DIC eligibility, survivor pension, life-insurance claims, probate, and the federal-account paperwork that follows.
Begin Veteran Estate SettlementHow 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.