Heath Funeral Chapel & Crematory

Veteran services at Heath Funeral Chapel & Crematory

For veterans in Lakeland, FL, Heath Funeral Chapel & Crematory coordinates military honors and burial benefits. In their own words: "Heath Funeral Chapel and Crematory offers specialized services for veterans, assisting with earned benefits and providing options like green burial. Their staff is dedicated to honoring those who have served the country. Oak Hill Burial Park, a nearby cemetery, also features a dedicated Veterans Section." Published pricing lists $4,245 for basic burial and $3,695 for direct cremation. Veterans may qualify for county or federal allowances toward these costs.

Published pricing at Heath Funeral Chapel & Crematory: direct cremation from $3,695. That places direct cremation roughly 132% above the Florida median ($1,595). 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 Atlantic Garden Veteran Cemetery in PR, approximately 14 miles from Heath Funeral Chapel & Crematory. Heath Funeral Chapel & Crematory can coordinate transport, scheduling with the cemetery's interment office, and the timing of military honors with the receiving committal shelter.

Florida has approximately 1,014 licensed funeral homes serving its population, of which a subset specifically lists military funeral honors and VA benefits assistance among their services. Heath Funeral Chapel & Crematory is among them.

Frequently asked questions

What does a funeral at Heath Funeral Chapel & Crematory cost for veteran families?

From its published general price list, direct cremation starts at $3,695. 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 Heath Funeral Chapel & Crematory located, and can it coordinate a veterans cemetery burial?

Heath Funeral Chapel & Crematory is located at 328 South Ingraham Ave. in Lakeland, FL. You can reach the home at (863) 682-0111. Staff can coordinate burial with nearby VA national and state veterans cemeteries.

What services does Heath Funeral Chapel & Crematory offer veteran families?

Heath Funeral Chapel & Crematory provides funeral services, cremation services, pre-need planning, and can arrange military funeral honors for eligible veterans.

Does Heath Funeral Chapel & Crematory help veterans with VA burial benefits?

Heath Funeral Chapel and Crematory offers specialized services for veterans, assisting with earned benefits and providing options like green burial. Their staff is dedicated to honoring those who have served the country. Oak Hill Burial Park, a nearby cemetery, also features a dedicated Veterans Section.

Which faith traditions does Heath Funeral Chapel & Crematory accommodate?

Staff coordinate services for Presbyterian, Methodist, Lutheran, Baptist, Non-denominational Christian families, among others.

What sets Heath Funeral Chapel & Crematory apart

Three generations of family ownership (Heath/Schichtel family) since 1959.
On-site crematory, ensuring continuous care for loved ones within their facility.
Dedicated Tribute Center, built in 2008, for personalized storytelling and memorialization.
Live-streaming capabilities for services, allowing remote participation.
Specialization in veterans' services, including assistance with earned benefits and green burial options.
Comprehensive grief support resources, including a year of weekly messages and guidance for children and teens.

Burial & cremation services

Cremation

· Cremation Services

On-site facilities

· Parlor

· Family Room

Affiliations & specializations

Industry affiliations

· Green Burial Council
· National Funeral Directors Association
· Independent Funeral Directors of Florida

Specializations

· Veterans Services
· Green Burial
· Grief Support
· Preplanning

Religious traditions & languages

Religious traditions accommodated: Presbyterian, Methodist, Lutheran, Baptist, Non-denominational Christian. 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 Settlement

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.