Maresh Funeral Home

Veteran services at Maresh Funeral Home

Veteran families in Silver Lake, MN can turn to Maresh Funeral Home for honors and benefit coordination. In their own words: "Maresh Funeral Home provides comprehensive veterans' services, including arranging Military Funeral Honors ceremonies. These ceremonies typically involve the folding and presentation of the United States flag to the veteran's family and the playing of Taps. Eligibility for these honors extends to active duty military members, those in the Selected Reserve, and former military members who served under conditions other than dishonorable. The funeral home assists families in establishing veteran eligibility, preferably with a DD Form 214, and also provides information for members of the Commissioned Officer Corps of the Public Health Service and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration." On-site amenities include chapel and reception area, suited to flag presentation and honors ceremonies. Published pricing lists $5,695 for basic burial and $3,365 for direct cremation. Veterans may qualify for county or federal allowances toward these costs.

Veteran-related services offered include cremation services, veteran services, and traditional burial. 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 Maresh Funeral Home: direct cremation from $3,365. That places direct cremation roughly 17% above the Minnesota median ($2,877). 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 Fort Snelling National Cemetery in MN, approximately 48 miles from Maresh Funeral Home. Maresh Funeral Home can coordinate transport, scheduling with the cemetery's interment office, and the timing of military honors with the receiving committal shelter.

Minnesota has approximately 567 licensed funeral homes serving its population, of which a subset specifically lists military funeral honors and VA benefits assistance among their services. Maresh Funeral Home is among them.

Frequently asked questions

What sets Maresh Funeral Home apart

• Spanish-speaking services with a dedicated Family Advisor, Maria Felger Ramos.
• Services incorporating Native Customs, supported by Funeral Director Robert Gill, a member of the Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate.
• "Cremation with Confidence" program, adhering to a 10-step process for respectful and accurate cremation.
• Complimentary services for infant deaths, including visitation, funeral or graveside services, and a combination casket/vault.
• Daily grief support email messages provided for one year following services.

Military & veteran services offered

Burial & cremation services

On-site facilities

Affiliations & specializations

Religious traditions & languages

Religious traditions accommodated: Catholic, Lutheran, Presbyterian. Languages spoken at the home: English, Spanish.

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.