Coulter-Garrison Funeral Home

Veteran services at Coulter-Garrison Funeral Home

Veteran families in Dayton, TN can turn to Coulter-Garrison Funeral Home for honors and benefit coordination. In their own words: "A United States flag is provided, at no cost, to drape the casket or accompany the urn of a deceased veteran who served honorably in the U.S. Armed Forces. This service is available for veterans who served during wartime, died on active duty after May 27, 1941, served after January 31, 1955, were peacetime veterans discharged before June 27, 1950, certain persons who served in the organized military forces of the Commonwealth of the Philippines while in service of the U.S. Armed Forces and died on or after April 25, 1951, and certain former members of the Selected Reserves. The flag is generally given to the next-of-kin as a keepsake. The funeral home assists with the application process." On-site amenities include chapel, suited to flag presentation and honors ceremonies. Published pricing lists $3,495 for basic burial and $1,995 for direct cremation. Veterans may qualify for county or federal allowances toward these costs.

Veteran-related services offered include memorial service, burial, cremation, veterans services, and graveside dove release. 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 Coulter-Garrison Funeral Home: direct cremation from $1,765. That places direct cremation roughly 5% below the Tennessee median ($1,865). 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 Chattanooga National Cemetery in TN, approximately 35 miles from Coulter-Garrison Funeral Home. Coulter-Garrison Funeral Home can coordinate transport, scheduling with the cemetery's interment office, and the timing of military honors with the receiving committal shelter.

Tennessee has approximately 641 licensed funeral homes serving its population, of which a subset specifically lists military funeral honors and VA benefits assistance among their services. Coulter-Garrison Funeral Home is among them.

Frequently asked questions

What sets Coulter-Garrison Funeral Home apart

• Over 120 years of continuous family ownership and operation since 1897.
• Historical significance, including R.J. Coulter serving as funeral director for William Jennings Bryan in 1925.
• Offers graveside dove release as a unique memorial option.
• Provides comprehensive assistance with administrative forms, including death certificates, Social Security, insurance claims, and Veterans' benefits.
• Staff includes individuals with deep local ties and extensive emergency services backgrounds, such as a former Assistant Fire Chief and 911 Board Chairman.

Military & veteran services offered

Burial & cremation services

On-site facilities

Affiliations & specializations

Religious traditions & languages

Religious traditions accommodated: Baptist, Pentecostal, Church of God, Catholic.

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.