Kruse-Phillips Funeral Homes

Veteran services at Kruse-Phillips Funeral Homes

Kruse-Phillips Funeral Homes, located in Tama, IA, assists those who served and their families. In their own words: "The funeral home's 'Helpful Links' section references the Veterans Administration, and local veteran cemeteries (American Legion, VFW) are listed, indicating support for veteran services and benefits." On-site amenities include chapel, suited to flag presentation and honors ceremonies. Published pricing lists $5,055 for basic burial and $3,200 for direct cremation. The non-declinable service fee is $2,800. Veterans may qualify for county or federal allowances toward these costs.

Veteran-related services offered include memorial service, burial, and cremation. 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.

The nearest VA national cemetery is Iowa Veterans Cemetery in IA, approximately 75 miles from Kruse-Phillips Funeral Homes. Kruse-Phillips Funeral Homes 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. Kruse-Phillips Funeral Homes is among them.

Frequently asked questions

Does Kruse-Phillips Funeral Homes publish funeral prices?

Kruse-Phillips Funeral Homes has not posted a full price list online. Under the FTC Funeral Rule it must provide itemized pricing on request — call (641) 484-3400, and ask how VA burial benefits apply.

Where is Kruse-Phillips Funeral Homes located, and can it coordinate a veterans cemetery burial?

Kruse-Phillips Funeral Homes is located at 209 East 7Th Street in Tama, IA. You can reach the home at (641) 484-3400. Staff can coordinate burial with nearby VA national and state veterans cemeteries.

What services does Kruse-Phillips Funeral Homes offer veteran families?

Kruse-Phillips Funeral Homes provides funeral service, memorial service, pre-planning, burial, cremation, and can arrange military funeral honors for eligible veterans.

Does Kruse-Phillips Funeral Homes help veterans with VA burial benefits?

The funeral home's 'Helpful Links' section references the Veterans Administration, and local veteran cemeteries (American Legion, VFW) are listed, indicating support for veteran services and benefits.

Which faith traditions does Kruse-Phillips Funeral Homes accommodate?

Staff coordinate services for United Methodist, Catholic, Lutheran (ELCA), Evangelical Free families, among others.

What sets Kruse-Phillips Funeral Homes apart

Locally owned and family-operated, with owners Todd and Lori Kruse having strong local ties to Tama County.
History of acquiring and integrating multiple local funeral homes, demonstrating a commitment to the region.
Emphasis on personalized, meaningful services designed to aid the healing process.
Comprehensive grief support resources, including an online Grief Library with content from Dr. Alan Wolfelt.
24/7 uninterrupted service availability.
Handicapped accessible facility with a range of dedicated spaces for services and gatherings.

Military & veteran services offered

★Memorial Service

★Mausoleum Entombment

Burial & cremation services

Burial

· Burial
· Committal

Cremation

· Cremation

On-site facilities

· Foyer

· Register Area

· Picture Room

· Chapel

· Fireplace

· Victorian Highlights

· Arrangement Room

· Lounge

· Selection Room

· Handicapped Accessible

Affiliations & specializations

Industry affiliations

· National Funeral Directors Association
· Iowa Funeral Directors Association
· Living Faith United Methodist Church
· Toledo-Tama Kiwanis Club
· Hiram of Tyre Masonic Lodge #118
· Fraternal Order of Eagles
· Tama-Toledo Chamber of Commerce
· South Tama Activity Boosters

Specializations

· Grief Support
· COVID-19 Pandemic Guidance

Religious traditions & languages

Religious traditions accommodated: United Methodist, Catholic, Lutheran (ELCA), Evangelical Free. Languages spoken at the home: Spanish.

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.