Veteran services at Franklin & Downs Funeral Home
Franklin & Downs Funeral Home in Ceres, CA supports veteran families with military funeral arrangements. The team handles VA burial allowances, honor-guard coordination, and national-cemetery scheduling. Published pricing lists a quoted rate for basic burial and $2,880 for direct cremation. Veterans may qualify for county or federal allowances toward these costs. Early reviews are positive, averaging 5.0 stars across 9.
Published pricing at Franklin & Downs Funeral Home: direct cremation from $2,880. That places direct cremation roughly 78% above the California median ($1,617). 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 San Joaquin Valley National Cemetery in CA, approximately 31 miles from Franklin & Downs Funeral Home. Franklin & Downs Funeral Home can coordinate transport, scheduling with the cemetery's interment office, and the timing of military honors with the receiving committal shelter.
California has approximately 1,115 licensed funeral homes serving its population, of which a subset specifically lists military funeral honors and VA benefits assistance among their services. Franklin & Downs Funeral Home is among them.
Frequently asked questions
What does a funeral at Franklin & Downs Funeral Home cost for veteran families?
From its published general price list, direct cremation starts at $2,880. 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 Franklin & Downs Funeral Home located, and can it coordinate a veterans cemetery burial?
Franklin & Downs Funeral Home is located at 2561 5th St. in Ceres, CA. You can reach the home at (209) 537-4711. Staff can coordinate burial with nearby VA national and state veterans cemeteries.
Does Franklin & Downs Funeral Home offer cremation for veterans?
Yes. Direct cremation at Franklin & Downs Funeral Home starts at $2,880. Cremated veterans remain eligible for inurnment in a VA national cemetery.
Does Franklin & Downs Funeral Home help veterans with VA burial benefits?
Franklin & Downs Funeral Home assists veteran families with VA burial benefits, military funeral honors, and coordination with national and state veterans cemeteries. Eligible veterans may receive a burial allowance and a free government headstone.
How do families rate Franklin & Downs Funeral Home?
Franklin & Downs Funeral Home holds a 5.0-star rating across 9 Google reviews from local families and veterans.
What families have said
Melissa at Franklin & Downs answered all questions and held space for personal service details. Staff like Dave delivered responsive arrangements with visible care for loved ones' dignity.
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.