Veteran services at Families First Cremation & Funeral at Edwards
Veteran families in Columbus, OH can turn to Families First Cremation & Funeral at Edwards for honors and benefit coordination. In their own words: "Assistance with military honors for veterans is provided." On-site amenities include on-site chapel and reception hall, suited to flag presentation and honors ceremonies. Published pricing lists $3,995 for basic burial and $995 for direct cremation. Veterans may qualify for county or federal allowances toward these costs. Reviewers give it 4.7 stars over 162 write-ups.
Veteran-related services offered include cremation, direct cremation, full-service cremation, memorial service, traditional burial, and graveside service. 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 on-site 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.
The nearest VA national cemetery is Dayton National Cemetery in OH, approximately 70 miles from Families First Cremation & Funeral at Edwards. Families First Cremation & Funeral at Edwards can coordinate transport, scheduling with the cemetery's interment office, and the timing of military honors with the receiving committal shelter.
Families First Cremation & Funeral at Edwards holds a 4.7-star rating from 162 Google reviews, indicating consistent service quality reported by families who have used the home for veteran and non-veteran services alike.
Ohio has approximately 1,266 licensed funeral homes serving its population, of which a subset specifically lists military funeral honors and VA benefits assistance among their services. Families First Cremation & Funeral at Edwards is among them.
Frequently asked questions
Does Families First Cremation & Funeral at Edwards publish funeral prices?
Families First Cremation & Funeral at Edwards has not posted a full price list online. Under the FTC Funeral Rule it must provide itemized pricing on request — call (614) 444-3200, and ask how VA burial benefits apply.
Where is Families First Cremation & Funeral at Edwards located, and can it coordinate a veterans cemetery burial?
Families First Cremation & Funeral at Edwards is located at 1166 Parsons Avenue in Columbus, OH. You can reach the home at (614) 444-3200. Staff can coordinate burial with nearby VA national and state veterans cemeteries.
What services does Families First Cremation & Funeral at Edwards offer veteran families?
Families First Cremation & Funeral at Edwards provides cremation, direct cremation, full-service cremation, memorial service, traditional burial, and can arrange military funeral honors for eligible veterans.
Does Families First Cremation & Funeral at Edwards help veterans with VA burial benefits?
Assistance with military honors for veterans is provided.
Which faith traditions does Families First Cremation & Funeral at Edwards accommodate?
Staff coordinate services for Baptist, United Methodist, United Church of Christ, Presbyterian, Non-denominational Christian families, among others.
How do families rate Families First Cremation & Funeral at Edwards?
Families First Cremation & Funeral at Edwards holds a 4.7-star rating across 162 Google reviews from local families and veterans.
What sets Families First Cremation & Funeral at Edwards apart
- Affordable full-service options, with prices often matching basic cremation costs found at other providers.
- On-site crematory and chapel, ensuring continuous care for loved ones.
- Pioneers in offering Alkaline Hydrolysis (Aquamation) as an eco-friendly disposition method.
- Transparent pricing with all packages and costs listed directly on their website.
- Flexible payment plans, including pre-need policies with inflation protection and Medicaid exemption, and at-need options through Afterpay for immediate financial flexibility.
- 24/7 availability for immediate assistance and consultations, including online, in-home, and phone options.
Military & veteran services offered
Burial & cremation services
Burial
- · Traditional Burial
- · Graveside Service
Cremation
- · Cremation
- · Direct Cremation
- · Full-Service Cremation
On-site facilities
Affiliations & specializations
Industry affiliations
- · Ohio Funeral Directors Association
- · National Funeral Directors Association
- · Cremation Association of North America (CANA)
- · Homesteaders Life Insurance Company
- · Afterpay
- · Southside Eagles Lodge #2244
Specializations
- · Affordable Services
- · Aquamation (Alkaline Hydrolysis)
- · 24/7 Support
- · Flexible Payment Plans
- · Personalized Services
- · Pre-Need Payment Plans
- · At-Need Payment Plans
- · Online Planning
Religious traditions & languages
Religious traditions accommodated: Baptist, United Methodist, United Church of Christ, Presbyterian, Non-denominational Christian.
What families have said
Recent reviews from families who used Families First Cremation & Funeral at Edwards. Reviews are sourced from Google Places and shown verbatim — we do not edit or filter for sentiment.
“I cannot recommend Families First Cremation and Funeral highly enough. Our experience with them during a very difficult time was top notch. Thaddeus was kind, thoughtful and very accommodating, especially because I was only in Ohio for a short period. Thaddeus worked around my schedule to ensure everything was managed appropriately. Thank you, Thaddeus - you are truly in the right business with your gentle and caring personality. The entire team was compassionate and outstanding at their craft. The fees were very affordable, especially given the degree of outstanding service we received. Thaddeus kept us apprized of each step through telephone calls and emails. We were treated with respect and personal attention throughout the entire process. When all was said and done, Grace checked in on us to offer her continued assistance with anything we might need and of course to offer her condolences. Huge thanks to Thaddeus and the Families First team. Outstanding experience!”
“Families First Cremation and Funeral at Edwards treated my family and I with the upmost respect and care during the recent passing of my father. The staff was truly caring and treated us just like their own family. Thaddeus was so professional and explained every step of the cremation process as well as every other inquiry we had regarding having my father’s cremains shipped back home to Puerto Rico, how to aquire his death certificate, as well as contact the VA's office and get his service Flag. A process I was not in the right mind to even think about asking for, Thaddeus answered every question and provided exceptional support for our family. They stayed in touch with me from beginning to end. My family and I 100% recommend them for your family's needs during the most vulnerable time of loosing your loved one. I al want to say, that the cost for the services were excellent. We are very pleased and very grateful for their services. My family and I thank you from the bottom of our hearts.”
“I want to publicly thank Family First Funeral Home for their services. The services that they provided were excellent, to say the least. When they came to the home to take my mother's body they presented themselves professionally with respect, kindness and consideration to our family and most importantly to my mother's body as they removed her from the house into the vehicle. The funeral home director Thaddeus D Pratt went beyond his call of service. He showed much compassion to us and explained everything to our understanding. He continued to work with us in all areas of his responsibilities until everything was completed. Thanks Family First Funeral Home. Craig S. Leftwich q”
“My mother had the foresight to have a pre-paid cremation. Families First Cremation & Funeral at Edward’s was her choice to take care of her cremation. Everything was handled with just one phone call to them. My family and I had decided we wanted to have memorial service at their chapel and Thaddeus and his staff did an excellent job at helping us plan a beautiful ceremony at a very reasonable cost. My family and I were treated with compassion and respect. My mom made a very wise choice.”
“Thaddeus Pratt is the Funeral Director and he is amazing. He answered all my family’s questions and helped us figure out what we wanted for our uncle johns funeral. I would recommend this place to everyone. And they are affordable too. Thaddeus really cares and it shows.”
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.