Brainard Funeral Home and Cremation Center

Veteran services at Brainard Funeral Home and Cremation Center

For veterans in Wausau, WI, Brainard Funeral Home and Cremation Center coordinates military honors and burial benefits. In their own words: "Brainard Funeral Home & Cremation Center assists families in completing necessary forms to obtain benefits for deceased veterans through the United States Department of Veterans Affairs. They help determine eligibility for VA burial benefits and burial in a national cemetery for veterans, service members, spouses, and dependents. The funeral home also facilitates military funeral honors, which include the playing of “Taps,” a rifle detail, a color guard, and the presentation of the United States flag to the next of kin. They provide guidance on applying for veterans death benefits to cover burial, funeral, and transportation costs, and for requesting headstones or markers for eligible veterans." On-site amenities include wausau chapel and everest chapel, suited to flag presentation and honors ceremonies. Published pricing lists $7,870 for basic burial and $3,835 for direct cremation. Veterans may qualify for county or federal allowances toward these costs.

Veteran-related services offered include cremation, traditional burial, 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 wausau chapel and everest 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 Brainard Funeral Home and Cremation Center: direct cremation from $3,835. That places direct cremation roughly 33% above the Wisconsin median ($2,885). 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 Central Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery in WI, approximately 44 miles from Brainard Funeral Home and Cremation Center. Brainard Funeral Home and Cremation Center can coordinate transport, scheduling with the cemetery's interment office, and the timing of military honors with the receiving committal shelter.

Wisconsin has approximately 539 licensed funeral homes serving its population, of which a subset specifically lists military funeral honors and VA benefits assistance among their services. Brainard Funeral Home and Cremation Center is among them.

Frequently asked questions

What does a funeral at Brainard Funeral Home and Cremation Center cost for veteran families?

From its published general price list, direct cremation starts at $3,835. 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 Brainard Funeral Home and Cremation Center located, and can it coordinate a veterans cemetery burial?

Brainard Funeral Home and Cremation Center is located at 522 Adams St. in Wausau, WI. You can reach the home at (715) 845-5525. Staff can coordinate burial with nearby VA national and state veterans cemeteries.

What services does Brainard Funeral Home and Cremation Center offer veteran families?

Brainard Funeral Home and Cremation Center provides personalized service, cremation, traditional burial, preplanning, grief support, and can arrange military funeral honors for eligible veterans.

Does Brainard Funeral Home and Cremation Center help veterans with VA burial benefits?

Brainard Funeral Home & Cremation Center assists families in completing necessary forms to obtain benefits for deceased veterans through the United States Department of Veterans Affairs. They help determine eligibility for VA burial benefits and burial in a national cemetery for veterans, service members, spouses, and dependents. The funeral home also facilitates military funeral honors, which include the playing of “Taps,” a rifle detail, a color guard, and the presentation of the United States flag to the next of kin. They provide guidance on applying for veterans death benefits to cover burial, funeral, and transportation costs, and for requesting headstones or markers for eligible veterans.

Which faith traditions does Brainard Funeral Home and Cremation Center accommodate?

Staff coordinate services for Lutheran, Christian & Missionary Alliance, United Church of Christ, Independent Bible Church, Seventh-day Adventist families, among others.

What sets Brainard Funeral Home and Cremation Center apart

Extensive aftercare and grief support programs, including "Everything After" for practical post-loss guidance and "Brighter Mornings" with therapist-created courses and online support groups.
A dedicated Aftercare Coordinator, Bethany Juris, who hosts monthly support groups and an annual Holiday Service of Remembrance.
Detailed assistance with veterans' benefits and military funeral honors, including help with VA forms and understanding eligibility.
Emphasis on personalized services, offering options like tribute videos, personal displays of memorabilia, specific music, and chosen readings to honor individual lives.
Two chapel locations, one in Wausau and one in Weston (Everest Chapel), providing convenience for families in the wider area.
Positive client testimonials frequently naming specific staff members (e.g., Sam Busalacchi, Shannon Dun, Ryley, Sarah, Elaina) for their patient, professional, and thorough assistance.

Military & veteran services offered

★Veterans Services

Burial & cremation services

Burial

· Traditional Burial

Cremation

· Cremation

On-site facilities

· Wausau Chapel

· Everest Chapel

Affiliations & specializations

Specializations

· Honoring Veterans

Religious traditions & languages

Religious traditions accommodated: Lutheran, Christian & Missionary Alliance, United Church of Christ, Independent Bible Church, Seventh-day Adventist. 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 Settlement

How 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.