Veteran services at Bernard's Family Funeral Care
Bernard's Family Funeral Care serves veteran families in Madison, GA with military funeral planning. In their own words: "Bernard's Family Funeral Care provides comprehensive Veterans Services, assisting families with obtaining VA burial benefits and memorial items, including government-furnished headstones or markers and burial flags. They also help arrange Military Funeral Honors, which typically include the folding and presentation of the United States flag and the playing of Taps. The staff guides families through the process of establishing veteran eligibility using documents like the DD Form 214 and applying for various benefits." On-site amenities include eatonton chapel and madison chapel, suited to flag presentation and honors ceremonies. Published pricing lists a quoted rate for basic burial and $2,620 for direct cremation. Veterans may qualify for county or federal allowances toward these costs.
Veteran-related services offered include cremation services, veterans services, graveside service, memorial service, and permanent memorialization. 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 eatonton chapel and madison 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 Bernard's Family Funeral Care: direct cremation from $2,620. That places direct cremation roughly 38% above the Georgia median ($1,895). 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 Georgia Veterans Memorial Cemetery - Milledgeville in GA, approximately 43 miles from Bernard's Family Funeral Care. Bernard's Family Funeral Care can coordinate transport, scheduling with the cemetery's interment office, and the timing of military honors with the receiving committal shelter.
Georgia has approximately 780 licensed funeral homes serving its population, of which a subset specifically lists military funeral honors and VA benefits assistance among their services. Bernard's Family Funeral Care is among them.
Frequently asked questions
What does a funeral at Bernard's Family Funeral Care cost for veteran families?
From its published general price list, direct cremation starts at $2,620. 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 Bernard's Family Funeral Care located, and can it coordinate a veterans cemetery burial?
Bernard's Family Funeral Care is located at 1086 Ward Rd. in Madison, GA. You can reach the home at (706) 438-3210. Staff can coordinate burial with nearby VA national and state veterans cemeteries.
What services does Bernard's Family Funeral Care offer veteran families?
Bernard's Family Funeral Care provides traditional services, cremation services, personalization, veterans services, visitation, and can arrange military funeral honors for eligible veterans.
Does Bernard's Family Funeral Care help veterans with VA burial benefits?
Bernard's Family Funeral Care provides comprehensive Veterans Services, assisting families with obtaining VA burial benefits and memorial items, including government-furnished headstones or markers and burial flags. They also help arrange Military Funeral Honors, which typically include the folding and presentation of the United States flag and the playing of Taps. The staff guides families through the process of establishing veteran eligibility using documents like the DD Form 214 and applying for various benefits.
What sets Bernard's Family Funeral Care apart
- Owner H. Bernard Holston, Sr. has over 30 years of experience in the funeral service industry and is a licensed life insurance agent, specializing in burial and preplanning programs.
- Offers extensive personalization options for services, including custom photo/video displays, artwork, music, and literary readings.
- Provides life celebrants for services when clergy may not be chosen.
- Comprehensive Veterans Services, including assistance with VA benefits, headstones, burial flags, and Military Funeral Honors.
- Offers a wide array of grief support resources, including links to interactive grief websites and national organizations.
- Operates two chapels, one in Eatonton and one in Madison, Georgia.
Military & veteran services offered
Burial & cremation services
Burial
- · Graveside Service
Cremation
- · Cremation Services
On-site facilities
Affiliations & specializations
Specializations
- · Veterans Services
- · Preplanning Programs
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.