Erickson-Smith Funeral Home

Veteran services at Erickson-Smith Funeral Home

Erickson-Smith Funeral Home, located in Hoffman, MN, assists those who served and their families. In their own words: "Assistance with death-related claims, including VA insurance." Published pricing lists $5,895 for basic burial and $2,800 for direct cremation. Veterans may qualify for county or federal allowances toward these costs.

Veteran-related services offered include cremation and traditional burial. Each service is coordinated with the family and, where applicable, with the deceased's last unit or branch honor detail.

The nearest VA national cemetery is Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate Veterans Cemetery in SD, approximately 61 miles from Erickson-Smith Funeral Home. Erickson-Smith Funeral Home can coordinate transport, scheduling with the cemetery's interment office, and the timing of military honors with the receiving committal shelter.

Minnesota has approximately 567 licensed funeral homes serving its population, of which a subset specifically lists military funeral honors and VA benefits assistance among their services. Erickson-Smith Funeral Home is among them.

Frequently asked questions

Does Erickson-Smith Funeral Home publish funeral prices?

Erickson-Smith Funeral Home has not posted a full price list online. Under the FTC Funeral Rule it must provide itemized pricing on request — call (320) 986-2847, and ask how VA burial benefits apply.

Where is Erickson-Smith Funeral Home located, and can it coordinate a veterans cemetery burial?

Erickson-Smith Funeral Home is located at 103 7Th Street North in Hoffman, MN. You can reach the home at (320) 986-2847. Staff can coordinate burial with nearby VA national and state veterans cemeteries.

What services does Erickson-Smith Funeral Home offer veteran families?

Erickson-Smith Funeral Home provides personalized service, immediate need, cremation, traditional burial, preplanning, and can arrange military funeral honors for eligible veterans.

Does Erickson-Smith Funeral Home help veterans with VA burial benefits?

Assistance with death-related claims, including VA insurance.

Which faith traditions does Erickson-Smith Funeral Home accommodate?

Staff coordinate services for Catholic, Lutheran, Baptist, Evangelical Free families, among others.

What sets Erickson-Smith Funeral Home apart

"Everything After" program provides guidance for practical tasks post-loss, such as updating financial documents and managing social media accounts.
"Brighter Mornings" program offers extensive emotional grief support, including therapist-created courses, workbooks, access to specialized therapists, and online support groups.
Dedicated Aftercare Coordinator, Colette Barton, offers one-on-one meetings, grief care gatherings, a Summer Remembrance Picnic with butterfly release, and a Holiday Service of Remembrance.
Specialized resources and guidance are available for children and teens experiencing grief.
"Away From Home Assurance" program assists with arrangements if a death occurs away from home.
Nearly a century of service, established in 1925, with a second location in Hoffman since 1946.

Burial & cremation services

Burial

· Traditional Burial

Cremation

· Cremation

On-site facilities

· Elbow Lake Location

· Hoffman Location

Affiliations & specializations

Specializations

· Grief Support
· Aftercare
· Advance Planning
· Away From Home Assurance
· Children and Grief

Religious traditions & languages

Religious traditions accommodated: Catholic, Lutheran, Baptist, Evangelical Free. 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 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.