Veteran services at Eckhardt Funeral Chapel
Eckhardt Funeral Chapel, located in Manchester, MD, assists those who served and their families. In their own words: "Eckhardt Funeral Chapel assists families with obtaining United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) burial benefits, including military funeral honors, burial or memorial services in a VA national cemetery, and securing headstones or markers. They help determine eligibility for veterans, service members, spouses, and dependents, and guide families through the application process for burial allowances and memorial items." On-site amenities include owings mills chapel, manchester chapel, and crematory chapel, suited to flag presentation and honors ceremonies. Published pricing lists $2,995 for basic burial and $2,595 for direct cremation. Veterans may qualify for county or federal allowances toward these costs.
Veteran-related services offered include veteran services, cremation, burial, online memorial, graveside service, and memorial mass. 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 owings mills chapel, manchester chapel, and crematory 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 Eckhardt Funeral Chapel: direct cremation from $2,635. That places direct cremation roughly 15% above the Maryland median ($2,300). 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 Garrison Forest Veterans Cemetery in MD, approximately 2 miles from Eckhardt Funeral Chapel. Eckhardt Funeral Chapel can coordinate transport, scheduling with the cemetery's interment office, and the timing of military honors with the receiving committal shelter.
Maryland has approximately 313 licensed funeral homes serving its population, of which a subset specifically lists military funeral honors and VA benefits assistance among their services. Eckhardt Funeral Chapel is among them.
Frequently asked questions
What does a funeral at Eckhardt Funeral Chapel cost for veteran families?
From its published general price list, direct cremation starts at $2,635. 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 Eckhardt Funeral Chapel located, and can it coordinate a veterans cemetery burial?
Eckhardt Funeral Chapel is located at 3296 Charmil Drive in Manchester, MD. You can reach the home at (410) 374-2626. Staff can coordinate burial with nearby VA national and state veterans cemeteries.
What services does Eckhardt Funeral Chapel offer veteran families?
Eckhardt Funeral Chapel provides veteran services, cremation, burial, online memorial, tribute video, and can arrange military funeral honors for eligible veterans.
Does Eckhardt Funeral Chapel help veterans with VA burial benefits?
Eckhardt Funeral Chapel assists families with obtaining United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) burial benefits, including military funeral honors, burial or memorial services in a VA national cemetery, and securing headstones or markers. They help determine eligibility for veterans, service members, spouses, and dependents, and guide families through the application process for burial allowances and memorial items.
Which faith traditions does Eckhardt Funeral Chapel accommodate?
Staff coordinate services for Catholic, Lutheran, German Reformed, Methodist families, among others.
What sets Eckhardt Funeral Chapel apart
- Family-owned and operated since 1961
- Two locations in Baltimore and Carroll Counties, Maryland
- Privately owned, onsite crematory (All Faiths Crematory & Chapel) in Manchester
- Original Owings Mills location in a renovated pre-Civil War log cabin
- Manchester location is modern, one-level, handicap accessible, and serves southern Pennsylvania
- Specialization in Veteran Services, assisting with VA benefits and honors
Military & veteran services offered
Burial & cremation services
Burial
- · Burial
- · Graveside Service
Cremation
- · Cremation
On-site facilities
Affiliations & specializations
Industry affiliations
- · NFDA
Specializations
- · Veteran Services
Religious traditions & languages
Religious traditions accommodated: Catholic, Lutheran, German Reformed, Methodist. Languages spoken at the home: English.
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.