Edwards Van-Alma Funeral Home

Veteran services at Edwards Van-Alma Funeral Home

For veterans in Van Buren, AR, Edwards Van-Alma Funeral Home coordinates military honors and burial benefits. In their own words: "Edwards Van-Alma Funeral Home works closely with veterans organizations to honor those who have served the country, providing specialized planning and military funeral honors." On-site amenities include flexible chapel space, chapel, and large reception area, suited to flag presentation and honors ceremonies. Published pricing lists $5,395 for basic burial and $1,220 for direct cremation. Veterans may qualify for county or federal allowances toward these costs.

Veteran-related services offered include cremation, burial, veterans planning, memorial keepsakes, securing burial permits, and private viewing before 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 flexible chapel space and 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 Edwards Van-Alma Funeral Home: direct cremation from $1,220. That places direct cremation roughly 24% below the Arkansas median ($1,600). 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 Smith National Cemetery in AR, approximately 8 miles from Edwards Van-Alma Funeral Home. Edwards Van-Alma Funeral Home can coordinate transport, scheduling with the cemetery's interment office, and the timing of military honors with the receiving committal shelter.

Arkansas has approximately 385 licensed funeral homes serving its population, of which a subset specifically lists military funeral honors and VA benefits assistance among their services. Edwards Van-Alma Funeral Home is among them.

Frequently asked questions

What sets Edwards Van-Alma Funeral Home apart

• Part of the Dignity Memorial network, pledging quality, value, and a 100% service guarantee.
• Specializes in highly personalized funerals and memorials, accommodating unique requests like themed celebrations with specific foods or music.
• Offers flexible arrangements including in-home visitations and planning by phone or email.
• Features an open-air atrium in the center of the building, providing natural light.
• Provides specific assistance with administrative tasks such as filing for death certificates, securing burial permits, and navigating insurance claims and Social Security benefits.

Military & veteran services offered

Burial & cremation services

On-site facilities

Affiliations & specializations

Religious traditions & languages

Religious traditions accommodated: Asian Funeral Traditions, Buddhist Funeral Traditions, Catholic Funeral Traditions, Hispanic Funeral Traditions, Hindu Funeral Traditions, Muslim Funeral Traditions, Christian (Protestant) Funeral Traditions, Jewish Funeral Traditions, Black Funeral Traditions. Languages spoken at the home: English, Spanish.

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.