Derfelt Funeral Home, Inc.

Veteran services at Derfelt Funeral Home, Inc.

Derfelt Funeral Home, Inc. serves veteran families in Galena, KS with military funeral planning. In their own words: "The funeral home assists families with gathering military service information for preplanning, which implies support for veteran benefits and honors." On-site amenities include chapel facilities, suited to flag presentation and honors ceremonies. 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 and cremation. 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 facilities. 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 Derfelt Funeral Home, Inc.: 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 52 miles from Derfelt Funeral Home, Inc.. Derfelt Funeral Home, Inc. 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 Funeral Home, Inc. is among them.

Frequently asked questions

What does a funeral at Derfelt Funeral Home, Inc. 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 Funeral Home, Inc. located, and can it coordinate a veterans cemetery burial?

Derfelt Funeral Home, Inc. is located at 1116 South Main St. in Galena, KS. You can reach the home at (620) 783-1371. Staff can coordinate burial with nearby VA national and state veterans cemeteries.

What services does Derfelt Funeral Home, Inc. offer veteran families?

Derfelt Funeral Home, Inc. provides funeral service, burial, cremation, preplanning, and can arrange military funeral honors for eligible veterans.

Does Derfelt Funeral Home, Inc. help veterans with VA burial benefits?

The funeral home assists families with gathering military service information for preplanning, which implies support for veteran benefits and honors.

Which faith traditions does Derfelt Funeral Home, Inc. accommodate?

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

What sets Derfelt Funeral Home, Inc. apart

Fourth-generation family ownership and operation, with Stephen Derfelt continuing the family legacy as a Funeral Director/Embalmer.
Multiple staff members hold advanced professional designations: Stephen Derfelt is a Certified Funeral Service Practitioner (CFSP) and Certified Preplanning Consultant (CPC), and Curt McCullough is a CFSP.
Comprehensive preplanning services, including an online preplanning checklist and the option to prepay into a trust fund for inflation protection.
Multiple locations across Southeast Kansas (Galena, Baxter Springs, Columbus, Oswego) providing broader regional access.
Staff members are actively involved in local community service, such as Stephen Derfelt's role as a volunteer Firefighter/EMT with the Galena Volunteer Fire Department and Curt McCullough's involvement in various Masonic lodges.

Burial & cremation services

Burial

· Burial

Cremation

· Cremation

On-site facilities

· Chapel facilities

· Selection rooms

· Common areas

Affiliations & specializations

Industry affiliations

· Academy of Professional Funeral Service Practitioners
· National Funeral Director's Association
· Galena Volunteer Fire Department
· Joplin Masonic Lodge No.335
· Valley of Joplin Scottish Rite
· Tyrian Chapter No. 52 of Royal Arch Masons
· Neosho Council No. 46 of Cryptic Masons
· Neosho Commandary No. 57 Knights Templar

Specializations

· Preneed Life Insurance Agent
· Licensed Crematory Operator
· Preplanning Consultant

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, Christian Churches and Churches of Christ.

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.