Veteran services at Banister Funeral Home
Banister Funeral Home in Hiawassee, GA supports veteran families with military funeral arrangements. The team handles VA burial allowances, honor-guard coordination, and national-cemetery scheduling. On-site amenities include on-site chapel, suited to flag presentation and honors ceremonies. Published pricing lists $2,895 for basic burial and $1,595 for direct cremation. Veterans may qualify for county or federal allowances toward these costs.
The home lists these veteran-related services: cremation services, veterans services, memorial service, graveside service, and direct cremation. Ask the director which of them they arrange directly.
Facilities on site include on-site chapel.
The nearest veterans cemetery that isn't listed as closed is Georgia National Cemetery in GA, about 68 miles from Banister Funeral Home. For a burial in a VA national cemetery, the funeral home or the family calls the National Cemetery Scheduling Office at 800-535-1117.
We list about 780 funeral homes in Georgia. Only some of them name military funeral honors or VA benefits help among their services.
Frequently asked questions
Does Banister Funeral Home publish funeral prices?
Banister Funeral Home has not posted a full price list online. Under the FTC Funeral Rule it must provide itemized pricing on request, so call (706) 896-2218 and ask how VA burial benefits apply.
Where is Banister Funeral Home located, and can it coordinate a veterans cemetery burial?
Banister Funeral Home is located at 678 North Main St. in Hiawassee, GA. You can reach the home at (706) 896-2218. Staff can coordinate burial with nearby VA national and state veterans cemeteries.
What services does Banister Funeral Home offer veteran families?
Banister Funeral Home provides immediate need, traditional services, cremation services, personalization, veterans services, and can arrange military funeral honors for eligible veterans.
Does Banister Funeral Home help veterans with VA burial benefits?
Banister Funeral Home assists veteran families with VA burial benefits, military funeral honors, and coordination with national and state veterans cemeteries. Eligible veterans may receive a burial allowance and a free government headstone.
Which faith traditions does Banister Funeral Home accommodate?
Staff coordinate services for Baptist, Methodist, Episcopal, Church of God, Free Will Baptist families, among others.
What sets Banister Funeral Home apart
- Towns County's only locally owned funeral home.
- Owner Tamela Cooper is a licensed funeral director/embalmer in Georgia and North Carolina, and the elected Towns County Coroner.
- Offers a year of weekly grief messages for ongoing support.
- Provides life celebrants for memorial services when clergy may not be chosen.
- Staff members like Ken Nicholson have a long-standing history with the funeral home, having worked there since the early 1990s.
Military and veteran services listed
Burial and cremation services
Burial
- · Graveside Service
Cremation
- · Cremation Services
- · Direct Cremation
On-site facilities
Affiliations and specialties
Industry affiliations
- · Hiawassee Downtown Development Authority
- · Chamber of Commerce
- · Towns County Emergency Management Agency
- · National Funeral Director's Association
- · Georgia Coroner's Association
Specialties
- · Grief Support
- · Children & Grief
- · Pre-Planning
Religious traditions and languages
Religious traditions served: Baptist, Methodist, Episcopal, Church of God, Free Will Baptist, Christian and Missionary Alliance. Languages spoken at the home: English.
How to request military funeral honors
By law (10 U.S.C. § 1491), an eligible veteran's funeral can include, on request, an honors detail of at least two service members who fold and present the U.S. flag to the family and play Taps. The funeral director usually makes the request and will need the veteran's DD214 or other discharge papers.
VA suggests asking at least 48 to 72 hours before the service. More on what honors include and how to request them.