Veteran services at Buck Ashcraft Funeral Home
For veterans in Harlingen, TX, Buck Ashcraft Funeral Home coordinates military honors and burial benefits. In their own words: "Buck Ashcraft San Benito Funeral Home provides comprehensive veteran benefits assistance. They offer a 32-page 'American Veterans’ Guide to VA Funeral, Burial, & Memorial Benefits,' which details eligibility, application processes, required documents (like DD-214), and how to access honors such as burial flags, military ceremonies, and headstones. The guide also covers burial at sea, private cemetery benefit options, and obtaining military medals and certificates." On-site amenities include off-street parking, suited to flag presentation and honors ceremonies. Published pricing lists $5,315 for basic burial and $2,320 for direct cremation. Veterans may qualify for county or federal allowances toward these costs.
Veteran-related services offered include burial, cremation, green burial, online memorials, and military honors. Each service is coordinated with the family and, where applicable, with the deceased's last unit or branch honor detail.
Published pricing at Buck Ashcraft Funeral Home: direct cremation from $1,955. That places direct cremation roughly 2% below the Texas median ($1,995). 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 Rio Grande Valley State Veterans Cemetery in Mission in TX, approximately 42 miles from Buck Ashcraft Funeral Home. Buck Ashcraft Funeral Home can coordinate transport, scheduling with the cemetery's interment office, and the timing of military honors with the receiving committal shelter.
Texas has approximately 1,496 licensed funeral homes serving its population, of which a subset specifically lists military funeral honors and VA benefits assistance among their services. Buck Ashcraft Funeral Home is among them.
Frequently asked questions
What does a funeral at Buck Ashcraft Funeral Home cost for veteran families?
From its published general price list, direct cremation starts at $1,955. 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 Buck Ashcraft Funeral Home located, and can it coordinate a veterans cemetery burial?
Buck Ashcraft Funeral Home is located at 710 Ed Carey Dr. in Harlingen, TX. You can reach the home at (956) 423-3636. Staff can coordinate burial with nearby VA national and state veterans cemeteries.
What services does Buck Ashcraft Funeral Home offer veteran families?
Buck Ashcraft Funeral Home provides immediate need, planning ahead, burial, cremation, green burial, and can arrange military funeral honors for eligible veterans.
Does Buck Ashcraft Funeral Home help veterans with VA burial benefits?
Buck Ashcraft San Benito Funeral Home provides comprehensive veteran benefits assistance. They offer a 32-page 'American Veterans’ Guide to VA Funeral, Burial, & Memorial Benefits,' which details eligibility, application processes, required documents (like DD-214), and how to access honors such as burial flags, military ceremonies, and headstones. The guide also covers burial at sea, private cemetery benefit options, and obtaining military medals and certificates.
Which faith traditions does Buck Ashcraft Funeral Home accommodate?
Staff coordinate services for Methodist, Assembly of God, Catholic, Episcopal families, among others.
What sets Buck Ashcraft Funeral Home apart
- Large, purpose-built facility (18,000 sq ft) with a landscaped courtyard and interior fountain designed for peace and comfort.
- One year of free daily/weekly grief support messages to assist families through the first year of loss.
- Offers unique personalization options including tribute videos, online memorials, and arrangement of bagpipers for services.
- Provides comprehensive assistance with Veteran Benefits, including a dedicated guide to VA funeral, burial, and memorial benefits.
- Staff includes professionals with deep local roots and extensive experience, such as Jim H. Pitts with over 40 years in the family funeral business.
- Offers funeral celebrant services for families without a specific religious affiliation or who desire a personalized, non-denominational ceremony.
Military & veteran services offered
Burial & cremation services
Burial
- · Burial
- · Green Burial
Cremation
- · Cremation
On-site facilities
Affiliations & specializations
Specializations
- · Military Funerals
- · Child Loss Support
Religious traditions & languages
Religious traditions accommodated: Methodist, Assembly of God, Catholic, Episcopal. Languages spoken at the home: Spanish.
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.