Veteran services at Bilden-Askew Funeral Home
Veteran families in Northwood, ND can turn to Bilden-Askew Funeral Home for honors and benefit coordination. In their own words: "Many of us take our freedoms for granted, but our staff at Bilden-Askew Funeral Home proudly acknowledges the sacrifices made by those who have served our country through their patriotism, love of country and willingness to protect others. Our staff is committed to providing quality service and professional assistance to help families complete the necessary forms to obtain benefits that are provided through the United States Department of Veterans Affairs for deceased veterans. #### What are VA burial benefits and memorial items? The VA burial benefits are designed to assist service members, veterans, and their families plan and pay for a burial or memorial service in a VA national cemetery. Memorial items are provided through the Veterans Affairs to honor the service of those who have served the country. #### Who qualifies for burial benefits and burial in a national cemetery? Veterans, service members, spouses, and dependents may be eligible for burial in a VA national cemetery, as well as other benefits, if they meet one of the requirements listed below: * A Veteran who didn't receive dishonorable discharge, or * A service member who died while on active duty, active duty for training, or inactive duty for training * The spouse or minor child of a veteran, even if the veteran died first * In some cases, the unmarried adult dependent child of a veteran #### What are military funeral honors and a committal service? Military funeral honors include the playing of “Taps,” a rifle detail, a color guard and uniformed service members who properly fold and present the United States flag to the grieving family. These flags are typically given to the deceased’s next of kin or close friend.In order for the survivors to qualify to receive the burial flag, the veteran or reservist must be described by at least one of the following: * Served in wartime * Died while serving on active duty after May 27, 1941 * Served after January 31, 1955 * Served in peacetime and left military service before June 27, 1950, after serving at least one enlistment or because of a disability that was caused - or made worse - by their active military service * Served in the Selected Reserves, or served in the military forces of the Philippines while in service of the United States and died on or after April 25, 1951. ### What are burial benefits and how do I apply? The veterans death benefits help cover the burial, funeral and transportation costs associated with the deceased’s services and disposition. For those being buried in a national cemetery, survivors can receive assistance with the burial and funeral costs, the plot or internment, and the transporting of the veteran’s remains for burial.You must file a claim for a non-service-connected burial allowance within two years after the veteran’s burial or cremation. There is no time limit to file for a service-connected burial, plot or interment allowance. You can apply online at or by mail after completing the VA Form 21P-530. A veteran who didn’t receive a dishonorable discharge or a service member who died while on active duty may be eligible for a headstone or marker if they meet certain requirements. To find out if your deceased loved one qualifies, visit The Department of Veteran Affairs also provides a headstone for unmarked graves of an eligible deceased veteran at no charge. To request a headstone, grave marker, or niche marker, fill out the VA Form 10-1330 and send to: Department of Veteran Affairs 5109 Russell Road Quantico, VA 22134-3903 For more information regarding VA burial benefits and memorial items, visit or contact the VA office at 1-800-827-1000." On-site amenities include chapel, suited to flag presentation and honors ceremonies. Published pricing lists $5,505 for basic burial and $3,960 for direct cremation. Veterans may qualify for county or federal allowances toward these costs.
Veteran-related services offered include cremation services, traditional funeral service followed by cremation, memorial service, graveside service, and burial insurance policies. 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 Bilden-Askew Funeral Home: direct cremation from $3,960. That places direct cremation roughly 24% above the North Dakota median ($3,195). 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 Fargo National Cemetery in ND, approximately 54 miles from Bilden-Askew Funeral Home. Bilden-Askew Funeral Home can coordinate transport, scheduling with the cemetery's interment office, and the timing of military honors with the receiving committal shelter.
North Dakota has approximately 122 licensed funeral homes serving its population, of which a subset specifically lists military funeral honors and VA benefits assistance among their services. Bilden-Askew Funeral Home is among them.
Frequently asked questions
What does a funeral at Bilden-Askew Funeral Home cost for veteran families?
From its published general price list, direct cremation starts at $3,960. 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 Bilden-Askew Funeral Home located, and can it coordinate a veterans cemetery burial?
Bilden-Askew Funeral Home is located at 219 North 2Nd Avenue in Northwood, ND. You can reach the home at (701) 587-6191. Staff can coordinate burial with nearby VA national and state veterans cemeteries.
What services does Bilden-Askew Funeral Home offer veteran families?
Bilden-Askew Funeral Home provides cremation services, traditional funeral service followed by cremation, memorial service, graveside service, keeping an urn at home, and can arrange military funeral honors for eligible veterans.
Does Bilden-Askew Funeral Home help veterans with VA burial benefits?
Many of us take our freedoms for granted, but our staff at Bilden-Askew Funeral Home proudly acknowledges the sacrifices made by those who have served our country through their patriotism, love of country and willingness to protect others. Our staff is committed to providing quality service and professional assistance to help families complete the necessary forms to obtain benefits that are provided through the United States Department of Veterans Affairs for deceased veterans. #### What are VA burial benefits and memorial items? The VA burial benefits are designed to assist service members, veterans, and their families plan and pay for a burial or memorial service in a VA national cemetery. Memorial items are provided through the Veterans Affairs to honor the service of those who have served the country. #### Who qualifies for burial benefits and burial in a national cemetery? Veterans, service members, spouses, and dependents may be eligible for burial in a VA national cemetery, as well as other benefits, if they meet one of the requirements listed below: * A Veteran who didn't receive dishonorable discharge, or * A service member who died while on active duty, active duty for training, or inactive duty for training * The spouse or minor child of a veteran, even if the veteran died first * In some cases, the unmarried adult dependent child of a veteran #### What are military funeral honors and a committal service? Military funeral honors include the playing of “Taps,” a rifle detail, a color guard and uniformed service members who properly fold and present the United States flag to the grieving family. These flags are typically given to the deceased’s next of kin or close friend.In order for the survivors to qualify to receive the burial flag, the veteran or reservist must be described by at least one of the following: * Served in wartime * Died while serving on active duty after May 27, 1941 * Served after January 31, 1955 * Served in peacetime and left military service before June 27, 1950, after serving at least one enlistment or because of a disability that was caused - or made worse - by their active military service * Served in the Selected Reserves, or served in the military forces of the Philippines while in service of the United States and died on or after April 25, 1951. ### What are burial benefits and how do I apply? The veterans death benefits help cover the burial, funeral and transportation costs associated with the deceased’s services and disposition. For those being buried in a national cemetery, survivors can receive assistance with the burial and funeral costs, the plot or internment, and the transporting of the veteran’s remains for burial.You must file a claim for a non-service-connected burial allowance within two years after the veteran’s burial or cremation. There is no time limit to file for a service-connected burial, plot or interment allowance. You can apply online at or by mail after completing the VA Form 21P-530. A veteran who didn’t receive a dishonorable discharge or a service member who died while on active duty may be eligible for a headstone or marker if they meet certain requirements. To find out if your deceased loved one qualifies, visit The Department of Veteran Affairs also provides a headstone for unmarked graves of an eligible deceased veteran at no charge. To request a headstone, grave marker, or niche marker, fill out the VA Form 10-1330 and send to: Department of Veteran Affairs 5109 Russell Road Quantico, VA 22134-3903 For more information regarding VA burial benefits and memorial items, visit or contact the VA office at 1-800-827-1000.
Which faith traditions does Bilden-Askew Funeral Home accommodate?
Staff coordinate services for Lutheran, Non-denominational Christian families, among others.
What sets Bilden-Askew Funeral Home apart
- Over 130 years of continuous funeral service history, established in 1889.
- Family-owned and operated by Tom Askew and his son Patrick.
- Facility in Northwood features a memorial stained glass window and underwent significant renovations in 1992 and 2008.
- Specialized Veterans Services, including assistance with VA burial benefits and memorial items.
- Offers life celebrants for services when clergy are not chosen.
- Provides a year of weekly grief support messages.
Military & veteran services offered
Burial & cremation services
Burial
- · Graveside Service
- · Burial Insurance Policies
Cremation
- · Cremation Services
- · Traditional Funeral Service Followed By Cremation
- · Keeping An Urn At Home
- · Placing Urn In Columbarium
- · Burying The Urn
- · Scattering Ashes
On-site facilities
Affiliations & specializations
Industry affiliations
- · North Dakota Funeral Directors Association
Specializations
- · Veterans Services
- · Funeral Pre-Planning
- · Burial Insurance Policies
Religious traditions & languages
Religious traditions accommodated: Lutheran, Non-denominational Christian.
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.