Veteran services at Fjelstul Funeral Home
For veterans in Decorah, IA, Fjelstul Funeral Home coordinates military honors and burial benefits. In their own words: "Helms Funeral Homes provides specialized services for veterans, assisting families with arrangements that honor their military service." On-site amenities include french chapel and chekal chapel, suited to flag presentation and honors ceremonies.
Veteran-related services offered include cremation services, graveside service, veterans services, and gravestone design. 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 french chapel and chekal 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 Fjelstul Funeral Home: direct cremation from $3,410. That places direct cremation roughly 17% above the Iowa median ($2,905). 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 Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery - Preston in MN, approximately 30 miles from Fjelstul Funeral Home. Fjelstul Funeral Home can coordinate transport, scheduling with the cemetery's interment office, and the timing of military honors with the receiving committal shelter.
Iowa has approximately 577 licensed funeral homes serving its population, of which a subset specifically lists military funeral honors and VA benefits assistance among their services. Fjelstul Funeral Home is among them.
Frequently asked questions
What does a funeral at Fjelstul Funeral Home cost for veteran families?
From its published general price list, direct cremation starts at $3,410. 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 Fjelstul Funeral Home located, and can it coordinate a veterans cemetery burial?
Fjelstul Funeral Home is located at 306 East Water St. in Decorah, IA. You can reach the home at (563) 382-5210. Staff can coordinate burial with nearby VA national and state veterans cemeteries.
What services does Fjelstul Funeral Home offer veteran families?
Fjelstul Funeral Home provides funeral services, cremation services, traditional funeral service, graveside service, veterans services, and can arrange military funeral honors for eligible veterans.
Does Fjelstul Funeral Home help veterans with VA burial benefits?
Helms Funeral Homes provides specialized services for veterans, assisting families with arrangements that honor their military service.
Which faith traditions does Fjelstul Funeral Home accommodate?
Staff coordinate services for Catholic, Lutheran (ELCA), Community Church, United Church of Christ families, among others.
What sets Fjelstul Funeral Home apart
- Independently owned and operated by Scott and Teesha Helms.
- Multiple locations across Northeast Iowa: Decorah, Calmar, and Fort Atkinson.
- Comprehensive cremation options, including traditional services, graveside services, and various memorialization choices.
- Specialization in Veterans Services and gravestone design.
- Staff includes a Director of Family Services licensed in Iowa, Minnesota, and Wisconsin, offering prearrangement and grief support.
- Available 24/7 for support.
Military & veteran services offered
Burial & cremation services
Burial
- · Graveside Service
Cremation
- · Cremation Services
On-site facilities
Affiliations & specializations
Industry affiliations
- · Iowa Funeral Directors Association
Specializations
- · Grief Support
- · Gravestone Design
- · Veterans Services
Religious traditions & languages
Religious traditions accommodated: Catholic, Lutheran (ELCA), Community Church, United Church of Christ. 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.