Veteran services at Baird-Freeman Funeral Home
For veterans in Portland, IN, Baird-Freeman Funeral Home coordinates military honors and burial benefits. In their own words: "Baird-Freeman Funeral Home provides specialized services to honor America's service members, paying tribute to their commitment and sacrifice." Published pricing lists $4,895 for basic burial and $1,695 for direct cremation. Veterans may qualify for county or federal allowances toward these costs.
Veteran-related services offered include traditional funeral with burial, traditional funeral with cremation, cremation with memorial service, direct cremation, direct burial, and graveside services. Each service is coordinated with the family and, where applicable, with the deceased's last unit or branch honor detail.
Published pricing at Baird-Freeman Funeral Home: direct cremation from $1,695. That places direct cremation roughly 26% below the Indiana median ($2,300). 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 Marion National Cemetery in IN, approximately 35 miles from Baird-Freeman Funeral Home. Baird-Freeman Funeral Home can coordinate transport, scheduling with the cemetery's interment office, and the timing of military honors with the receiving committal shelter.
Indiana has approximately 779 licensed funeral homes serving its population, of which a subset specifically lists military funeral honors and VA benefits assistance among their services. Baird-Freeman Funeral Home is among them.
Frequently asked questions
What does a funeral at Baird-Freeman Funeral Home cost for veteran families?
From its published general price list, direct cremation starts at $1,695. 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 Baird-Freeman Funeral Home located, and can it coordinate a veterans cemetery burial?
Baird-Freeman Funeral Home is located at 221 North Meridian St. in Portland, IN. You can reach the home at (260) 726-7171. Staff can coordinate burial with nearby VA national and state veterans cemeteries.
What services does Baird-Freeman Funeral Home offer veteran families?
Baird-Freeman Funeral Home provides traditional funeral with burial, traditional funeral with cremation, cremation with memorial service, direct cremation, direct burial, and can arrange military funeral honors for eligible veterans.
Does Baird-Freeman Funeral Home help veterans with VA burial benefits?
Baird-Freeman Funeral Home provides specialized services to honor America's service members, paying tribute to their commitment and sacrifice.
Which faith traditions does Baird-Freeman Funeral Home accommodate?
Staff coordinate services for Christian denominations (including Holiness, Presbyterian, Catholic, Baptist, Methodist, Church of Christ) families, among others.
What sets Baird-Freeman Funeral Home apart
- Over 135 years of continuous operation at the same Portland, Indiana location, established in 1887.
- On-site monument sales and services through Jay County Monuments, operating for over 20 years.
- Complimentary 11x14 "Tribute Collage" offered to all families for personalized remembrance.
- Facility features include a large chapel seating over 200, a second viewing parlor, and a lounge with a full kitchen and seating for 50 people.
- Specialized veteran services to honor military service members.
Military & veteran services offered
Burial & cremation services
Burial
- · Traditional Funeral with Burial
- · Direct Burial
- · Graveside Services
Cremation
- · Traditional Funeral with Cremation
- · Direct Cremation
On-site facilities
Affiliations & specializations
Specializations
- · Veteran Services
Religious traditions & languages
Religious traditions accommodated: Christian denominations (including Holiness, Presbyterian, Catholic, Baptist, Methodist, Church of Christ).
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.