Garrett-Cardaras Funeral Home

Veteran services at Garrett-Cardaras Funeral Home

Veteran families in McArthur, OH can turn to Garrett-Cardaras Funeral Home for honors and benefit coordination. In their own words: "Garrett-Cardaras Funeral Home provides comprehensive veteran funeral services, assisting families in securing benefits for their loved ones who served the country. This includes guidance on obtaining Military Funeral Honors, headstones for unmarked graves, burial flags, and Presidential Memorial Certificates. The funeral home also helps families with the necessary paperwork, such as requesting DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) or other discharge documents to verify eligibility. They clarify who qualifies for benefits, including veterans with non-dishonorable discharge, service members who died on active duty, and spouses or minor children of veterans." On-site amenities include chapel, suited to flag presentation and honors ceremonies. Published pricing lists $5,695 for basic burial and $1,995 for direct cremation. Veterans may qualify for county or federal allowances toward these costs.

Veteran-related services offered include cremation services, veterans services, 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 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 Garrett-Cardaras Funeral Home: direct cremation from $1,995. That places direct cremation roughly 3% below the Ohio median ($2,050). 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 Kentucky Veterans Cemetery - Northeast in KY, approximately 62 miles from Garrett-Cardaras Funeral Home. Garrett-Cardaras Funeral Home can coordinate transport, scheduling with the cemetery's interment office, and the timing of military honors with the receiving committal shelter.

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. Garrett-Cardaras Funeral Home is among them.

Frequently asked questions

What sets Garrett-Cardaras Funeral Home apart

• The building itself has a unique history, serving as the first Mayor's residence in McArthur in 1855 before becoming a funeral home.
• Offers extensive personalization options, including tribute videos, custom artwork displays, and curated music/literature readings to create unique services.
• Provides comprehensive assistance for veteran families, guiding them through the acquisition of military funeral honors, headstones, burial flags, and Presidential Memorial Certificates.
• Founders Van and Pam Cardaras, along with associate Jennifer Cardaras Mellinger, are deeply involved in the community and local organizations, including Masonic lodges and the Vinton County Chamber of Commerce.
• Emphasizes pre-planning resources and offers detailed guidance to help families make arrangements in advance, easing future burdens.

Military & veteran services offered

Burial & cremation services

On-site facilities

Affiliations & specializations

Religious traditions & languages

Religious traditions accommodated: Baptist, Christian (various denominations), Presbyterian, Episcopal, Nazarene, Methodist, Assembly of God, Church of God, Non-denominational / Secular (via life celebrants).

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.