Veteran services at Lavender's Funeral Service
Lavender's Funeral Service serves veteran families in Aliceville, AL with military funeral planning. In their own words: "Lavender's Funeral Service provides extensive assistance with veterans' benefits. This includes guidance on reimbursement for burial expenses (up to $2,000 for service-connected deaths, or $300 for other eligible veterans), transportation costs to national cemeteries, and a $300 plot allowance under specific conditions. They also help families obtain American flags to drape caskets, apply for burial in VA national cemeteries for eligible veterans, spouses, and minor children, and secure headstones or markers for unmarked graves. The funeral home assists with applications for Presidential Memorial Certificates, which recognize a veteran's honorable service. Families are advised to have the veteran's Social Security number, certified DD Form 214, certified death certificate, and details of life insurance, hospital bills, and funeral expenses ready when applying for benefits." On-site amenities include chapel, suited to flag presentation and honors ceremonies. Published pricing lists $4,925 for basic burial and a quoted rate for direct cremation. Veterans may qualify for county or federal allowances toward these costs.
Veteran-related services offered include burial insurance, complete cemetery needs, burial plots, direct cremations, memorial services, and veterans services. 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 Lavender's Funeral Service: direct cremation from $2,550. That places direct cremation roughly 36% above the Alabama median ($1,870). 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 Alabama National Cemetery in AL, approximately 76 miles from Lavender's Funeral Service. Lavender's Funeral Service can coordinate transport, scheduling with the cemetery's interment office, and the timing of military honors with the receiving committal shelter.
Alabama has approximately 479 licensed funeral homes serving its population, of which a subset specifically lists military funeral honors and VA benefits assistance among their services. Lavender's Funeral Service is among them.
Frequently asked questions
What does a funeral at Lavender's Funeral Service cost for veteran families?
From its published general price list, direct cremation starts at $2,550. 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 Lavender's Funeral Service located, and can it coordinate a veterans cemetery burial?
Lavender's Funeral Service is located at 11233 Hwy. 17 S in Aliceville, AL. You can reach the home at (205) 373-2420. Staff can coordinate burial with nearby VA national and state veterans cemeteries.
What services does Lavender's Funeral Service offer veteran families?
Lavender's Funeral Service provides affordable services, pre-need arrangements, at-need arrangements, burial insurance, life insurance, and can arrange military funeral honors for eligible veterans.
Does Lavender's Funeral Service help veterans with VA burial benefits?
Lavender's Funeral Service provides extensive assistance with veterans' benefits. This includes guidance on reimbursement for burial expenses (up to $2,000 for service-connected deaths, or $300 for other eligible veterans), transportation costs to national cemeteries, and a $300 plot allowance under specific conditions. They also help families obtain American flags to drape caskets, apply for burial in VA national cemeteries for eligible veterans, spouses, and minor children, and secure headstones or markers for unmarked graves. The funeral home assists with applications for Presidential Memorial Certificates, which recognize a veteran's honorable service. Families are advised to have the veteran's Social Security number, certified DD Form 214, certified death certificate, and details of life insurance, hospital bills, and funeral expenses ready when applying for benefits.
Which faith traditions does Lavender's Funeral Service accommodate?
Staff coordinate services for Baptist, Methodist, Presbyterian, Church of Christ, Pentecostal families, among others.
What sets Lavender's Funeral Service apart
- Third-generation family ownership with multiple licensed funeral directors and embalmers, including a Certified Funeral Service Professional (CFSP) distinction.
- On-site flower shop and custom graphics department.
- Extensive support for veterans' benefits and Social Security benefits assistance.
- Comprehensive educational resources on funeral etiquette, grief support, and talking to children about loss.
- A large staff of 30 professionals, including attendants, chauffeurs, ushers, livery personnel, funeral directors, and embalmers.
Military & veteran services offered
Burial & cremation services
Burial
- · Burial Insurance
- · Burial Plots
Cremation
- · Urns
- · Direct Cremations
On-site facilities
Affiliations & specializations
Industry affiliations
- · State of Alabama Funeral Directors & Morticians Association
- · National Funeral Directors & Morticians Association
- · National Funeral Directors Association
- · Academy of Funeral Service Practice
Specializations
- · Veterans Services
Religious traditions & languages
Religious traditions accommodated: Baptist, Methodist, Presbyterian, Church of Christ, Pentecostal. 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 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.