Downing & Lahey Mortuaries and Crematory

Veteran services at Downing & Lahey Mortuaries and Crematory

Downing & Lahey Mortuaries and Crematory serves veteran families in Wichita, KS with military funeral planning. In their own words: "Downing & Lahey provides extensive support for honorably discharged veterans, including assistance in securing benefits such as the Presidential Memorial Certificate and Military Headstone. They coordinate military honors, including 'Taps' and American Flag presentations at the ceremony location. The funeral home offers information on eligibility, application materials, and burial options in national and Kansas cemeteries, as well as guidance on headstones, medallions, and markers. They also connect families with the VA Regional Office in Wichita." On-site amenities include east chapel, west chapel, and reception room, suited to flag presentation and honors ceremonies. Published pricing lists $4,205 for basic burial and $3,870 for direct cremation. The non-declinable service fee is $2,275. Veterans may qualify for county or federal allowances toward these costs.

Veteran-related services offered include cremation services, green burial, natural burial, veterans services, graveside ceremony, and memorial services. 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 east chapel and west 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 Downing & Lahey Mortuaries and Crematory: direct cremation from $3,175. That places direct cremation roughly 20% above 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 Kansas Veterans Cemetery at Winfield in KS, approximately 34 miles from Downing & Lahey Mortuaries and Crematory. Downing & Lahey Mortuaries and 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. Downing & Lahey Mortuaries and Crematory is among them.

Frequently asked questions

What does a funeral at Downing & Lahey Mortuaries and Crematory cost for veteran families?

From its published general price list, direct cremation starts at $3,175. 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 & Lahey Mortuaries and Crematory located, and can it coordinate a veterans cemetery burial?

Downing & Lahey Mortuaries and Crematory is located at 6555 East Central Ave. in Wichita, KS. You can reach the home at (316) 682-4553. Staff can coordinate burial with nearby VA national and state veterans cemeteries.

What services does Downing & Lahey Mortuaries and Crematory offer veteran families?

Downing & Lahey Mortuaries and Crematory provides funeral services, cremation services, traditional funeral, celebration of life, green burial, and can arrange military funeral honors for eligible veterans.

Does Downing & Lahey Mortuaries and Crematory help veterans with VA burial benefits?

Downing & Lahey provides extensive support for honorably discharged veterans, including assistance in securing benefits such as the Presidential Memorial Certificate and Military Headstone. They coordinate military honors, including 'Taps' and American Flag presentations at the ceremony location. The funeral home offers information on eligibility, application materials, and burial options in national and Kansas cemeteries, as well as guidance on headstones, medallions, and markers. They also connect families with the VA Regional Office in Wichita.

Which faith traditions does Downing & Lahey Mortuaries and Crematory accommodate?

Staff coordinate services for Catholic, United Methodist, Lutheran, Baptist, Christian families, among others.

What sets Downing & Lahey Mortuaries and Crematory apart

Five generations of family ownership, ensuring local decision-making and deep community roots.
Two on-site crematories at the East Chapel, guaranteeing loved ones never leave their care.
Meeting the rigorous standards of Selected Independent Funeral Homes, a distinction they state sets them apart from many corporate-owned firms.
Ability to accommodate diverse cultural and religious traditions, with staff experienced in various faith practices.
Comprehensive assistance with veterans' benefits, military honors, and Social Security benefits.
Offering green burial and natural burial options for environmentally conscious families.

Military & veteran services offered

★Veterans Services

★Memorial Services

★Military Honors

Burial & cremation services

Burial

· Green Burial
· Natural Burial
· Graveside Ceremony

Cremation

· Cremation Services

On-site facilities

· East Chapel

· West Chapel

· Business Office

· On-site Crematories

· Cremation Viewing Room

· Arrangement Offices

· Viewing/Visitation Rooms

· Reception Room

· Salt Water Fish Tank

· Private Family Gathering/Reflection Area

· Selection Room

· Audio and Video Equipment

· Ample Parking

Affiliations & specializations

Industry affiliations

· Crematory
· Mortuary

Specializations

· Veterans Benefits
· All Faiths and Cultural Traditions
· Catholic Cremation
· Green Burials
· Pre-Planning
· Social Security Benefits

Religious traditions & languages

Religious traditions accommodated: Catholic, United Methodist, Lutheran, Baptist, Christian. 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 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.