Grove-Bowersox Funeral Home Inc

Veteran services at Grove-Bowersox Funeral Home Inc

Grove-Bowersox Funeral Home Inc in Waynesboro, PA supports veteran families with military funeral arrangements. In their own words: "Bowersox Funeral Homes provides comprehensive support for honoring veterans, including coordinating military funeral honors such as the folding and presentation of the American flag, the playing of Taps, a three-volley rifle salute, and casket draping. They assist families with navigating U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits, which can include obtaining a Presidential Memorial Certificate, arranging for headstones or markers, securing memorial plots, facilitating burial in a VA national cemetery, and guiding through the process for potential reimbursement of burial expenses. Eligibility for military honors is verified by the veteran’s DD-214 or discharge papers." Published pricing lists $5,000 for basic burial and $2,850 for direct cremation. Veterans may qualify for county or federal allowances toward these costs.

Veteran-related services offered include cremation services, veteran's benefits, graveside service, complete cremation service, immediate cremation service, and direct cremation. Each service is coordinated with the family and, where applicable, with the deceased's last unit or branch honor detail.

Published pricing at Grove-Bowersox Funeral Home Inc: direct cremation from $2,850. That places direct cremation roughly 20% above the Pennsylvania median ($2,375). 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 Garrison Forest Veterans Cemetery in MD, approximately 48 miles from Grove-Bowersox Funeral Home Inc. Grove-Bowersox Funeral Home Inc can coordinate transport, scheduling with the cemetery's interment office, and the timing of military honors with the receiving committal shelter.

Pennsylvania has approximately 1,623 licensed funeral homes serving its population, of which a subset specifically lists military funeral honors and VA benefits assistance among their services. Grove-Bowersox Funeral Home Inc is among them.

Frequently asked questions

What sets Grove-Bowersox Funeral Home Inc apart

• Multi-generational family ownership, with Jeremy and Andrea Bowersox continuing the legacy started by James and Barbara A. Bowersox.
• Operation of two distinct locations: Grove-Bowersox Funeral Home in Waynesboro and Miller-Bowersox Funeral Home in Greencastle.
• In-house monument and marker services provided through Bowersox Memorials, offering a variety of materials, styles, and cleaning for existing memorials.
• Jeanette M. Moore, a licensed funeral director on staff, holds the distinction of being the first female funeral director in Franklin County, licensed in 2000.
• Comprehensive online resources, including detailed guidance on 'What to Do when Death Occurs' and information on Social Security benefits.
• Active involvement in local community organizations, exemplified by Jeremy A. Bowersox's role as a Past Master of Acacia Lodge #586.

Military & veteran services offered

Burial & cremation services

On-site facilities

Affiliations & specializations

Religious traditions & languages

Religious traditions accommodated: Catholic.

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.