Veteran services at Downing Funeral Home Inc
For veterans in Bethlehem, PA, Downing Funeral Home Inc coordinates military honors and burial benefits. In their own words: "Downing Funeral Home facilitates military honors for veterans, as indicated by an obituary mentioning such services." Published pricing lists $3,650 for basic burial and $2,315 for direct cremation. Veterans may qualify for county or federal allowances toward these costs. Early reviews are positive, averaging 5.0 stars across 2.
Veteran-related services offered include direct burial and direct cremation. Each service is coordinated with the family and, where applicable, with the deceased's last unit or branch honor detail.
Published pricing at Downing Funeral Home Inc: direct cremation from $2,975. That places direct cremation roughly 25% above the Pennsylvania median ($2,375). 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 Washington Crossing National Cemetery in PA, approximately 36 miles from Downing Funeral Home Inc. Downing Funeral Home Inc can coordinate transport, scheduling with the cemetery's interment office, and the timing of military honors with the receiving committal shelter.
Downing Funeral Home Inc also accommodates Catholic, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Secular Humanist, and Lgbtq Affirming traditions for veterans whose religious or cultural observance shapes the service. Military honors can be integrated into the family's tradition with no conflict — the honor detail observes the family's pace.
Pennsylvania has approximately 1,623 licensed funeral homes serving its population, of which a subset specifically lists military funeral honors and VA benefits assistance among their services. Downing Funeral Home Inc is among them.
Frequently asked questions
What does a funeral at Downing Funeral Home Inc cost for veteran families?
From its published general price list, direct cremation starts at $2,975. 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 Downing Funeral Home Inc located, and can it coordinate a veterans cemetery burial?
Downing Funeral Home Inc is located at 1002 West Broad Street in Bethlehem, PA. You can reach the home at (610) 867-5841. Staff can coordinate burial with nearby VA national and state veterans cemeteries.
What services does Downing Funeral Home Inc offer veteran families?
Downing Funeral Home Inc provides traditional full service funeral, non-traditional funeral service, direct burial, direct cremation, pre-planning, and can arrange military funeral honors for eligible veterans.
Does Downing Funeral Home Inc help veterans with VA burial benefits?
Downing Funeral Home facilitates military honors for veterans, as indicated by an obituary mentioning such services.
Which faith traditions does Downing Funeral Home Inc accommodate?
Staff coordinate services for Catholic, Moravian families, among others.
How do families rate Downing Funeral Home Inc?
Downing Funeral Home Inc holds a 5.0-star rating across 2 Google reviews from local families and veterans.
What sets Downing Funeral Home Inc apart
- Therapy dog Ketchup, an AKC Canine Good Citizen and Alliance of Therapy Dogs member, available to families for comfort.
- Fifth-generation family ownership under Jason J. Hennigh, continuing a legacy since 1889.
- Over 130 years of continuous service to the Bethlehem area, tracing roots to Joseph F. Kinney's original business.
- Offers advanced digital memorial slideshows, including options for voice-over clips and video, beyond standard photo tributes.
- Provides pre-planning options that include affiliation with the Loyal Christian Benefit Association (LCBA), offering additional member benefits and support for local charities.
Burial & cremation services
Burial
- · Direct Burial
Cremation
- · Direct Cremation
Affiliations & specializations
Industry affiliations
- · National Funeral Director's Association (NFDA)
- · Loyal Christian Benefit Association (LCBA)
Religious traditions & languages
Religious traditions accommodated: Catholic, Moravian. Languages spoken at the home: English.
What families have said
Recent reviews from families who used Downing Funeral Home Inc. Reviews are sourced from Google Places and shown verbatim — we do not edit or filter for sentiment.
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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.