Derfelt Crematory

Veteran services at Derfelt Crematory

Derfelt Crematory, located in Baxter Springs, KS, assists those who served and their families. In their own words: "Derfelt Funeral Home assists families with veteran benefits, as indicated by the inclusion of 'Veteran's discharge papers (DD-214)' as a required document for arrangements and providing information for veterans benefits on their website." Published pricing lists $2,695 for basic burial and $1,995 for direct cremation. The non-declinable service fee is $2,895. Veterans may qualify for county or federal allowances toward these costs.

Veteran-related services offered include burial, cremation, and graveside service. Each service is coordinated with the family and, where applicable, with the deceased's last unit or branch honor detail.

Published pricing at Derfelt Crematory: direct cremation from $1,795. That places direct cremation roughly 32% below the Kansas median ($2,647). 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 Fort Scott National Cemetery in KS, approximately 55 miles from Derfelt Crematory. Derfelt Crematory can coordinate transport, scheduling with the cemetery's interment office, and the timing of military honors with the receiving committal shelter.

Kansas has approximately 428 licensed funeral homes serving its population, of which a subset specifically lists military funeral honors and VA benefits assistance among their services. Derfelt Crematory is among them.

Frequently asked questions

What does a funeral at Derfelt Crematory cost for veteran families?

From its published general price list, direct cremation starts at $1,795. 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 Derfelt Crematory located, and can it coordinate a veterans cemetery burial?

Derfelt Crematory is located at 328 East 12th St. in Baxter Springs, KS. You can reach the home at (620) 856-2345. Staff can coordinate burial with nearby VA national and state veterans cemeteries.

What services does Derfelt Crematory offer veteran families?

Derfelt Crematory provides visitation, funeral service, reception, burial, cremation, and can arrange military funeral honors for eligible veterans.

Does Derfelt Crematory help veterans with VA burial benefits?

Derfelt Funeral Home assists families with veteran benefits, as indicated by the inclusion of 'Veteran's discharge papers (DD-214)' as a required document for arrangements and providing information for veterans benefits on their website.

Which faith traditions does Derfelt Crematory accommodate?

Staff coordinate services for Baptist, Presbyterian, Episcopal, Methodist, Assemblies of God families, among others.

What sets Derfelt Crematory apart

Fourth-generation family ownership and operation, with active family members in key roles.
Staff members hold advanced professional certifications, including Certified Funeral Service Practitioner (CFSP) and Certified Preplanning Consultant (CPC).
Staff members are actively involved in local community service, such as volunteer firefighting and EMT roles.
Transparent pricing with a General Price List readily available on their website.
On-site crematory at Derfelt's Baxter Chapel location.

Military & veteran services offered

★Mausoleum Entombment

Burial & cremation services

Burial

· Burial
· Graveside Service
· Committal Service
· Ground Interment

Cremation

· Cremation
· Ashes Returned to Family

On-site facilities

· Funeral Home

Affiliations & specializations

Industry affiliations

· National Funeral Director's Association

Specializations

· Preplanning

Religious traditions & languages

Religious traditions accommodated: Baptist, Presbyterian, Episcopal, Methodist, Assemblies of God, Catholic, Church of the Nazarene, Pentecostal Church of God, Seventh-day Adventist, 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 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.