Veteran services at May & Smith Funeral Directors
May & Smith Funeral Directors, located in Sandersville, GA, assists those who served and their families. In their own words: "May & Smith Funeral Directors offers dedicated services for veterans, including assistance with completing necessary forms to obtain benefits from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs. They also help arrange military funeral honors, which can include the playing of 'Taps,' a rifle detail, a color guard, and the presentation of the United States flag to the family." On-site amenities include funeral home chapel and reception hall, suited to flag presentation and honors ceremonies. Published pricing lists $4,290 for basic burial and $2,370 for direct cremation. Veterans may qualify for county or federal allowances toward these costs.
Veteran-related services offered include cremations and memorial 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 funeral home 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 May & Smith Funeral Directors: direct cremation from $2,370. That places direct cremation roughly 25% above the Georgia median ($1,895). 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 Georgia Veterans Memorial Cemetery - Milledgeville in GA, approximately 23 miles from May & Smith Funeral Directors. May & Smith Funeral Directors can coordinate transport, scheduling with the cemetery's interment office, and the timing of military honors with the receiving committal shelter.
Georgia has approximately 780 licensed funeral homes serving its population, of which a subset specifically lists military funeral honors and VA benefits assistance among their services. May & Smith Funeral Directors is among them.
Frequently asked questions
What does a funeral at May & Smith Funeral Directors cost for veteran families?
From its published general price list, direct cremation starts at $2,370. 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 May & Smith Funeral Directors located, and can it coordinate a veterans cemetery burial?
May & Smith Funeral Directors is located at 1119 Riddleville Road in Sandersville, GA. You can reach the home at (478) 552-2501. Staff can coordinate burial with nearby VA national and state veterans cemeteries.
What services does May & Smith Funeral Directors offer veteran families?
May & Smith Funeral Directors provides personalized funeral services, traditional funerals, cremations, memorial services, immediate need services, and can arrange military funeral honors for eligible veterans.
Does May & Smith Funeral Directors help veterans with VA burial benefits?
May & Smith Funeral Directors offers dedicated services for veterans, including assistance with completing necessary forms to obtain benefits from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs. They also help arrange military funeral honors, which can include the playing of 'Taps,' a rifle detail, a color guard, and the presentation of the United States flag to the family.
Which faith traditions does May & Smith Funeral Directors accommodate?
Staff coordinate services for Methodist, Baptist, Catholic families, among others.
What sets May & Smith Funeral Directors apart
- Over 50 years of continuous service to Washington County and surrounding communities.
- 24/7 availability for immediate assistance.
- Comprehensive pre-planning services, including an online form for convenience.
- Dedicated veteran services, assisting with VA benefits and military funeral honors.
- Extensive grief resources, including guidance for children and information on the grieving process.
- Staff members, such as Jeffery Smith and E.K. May, hold significant community roles and professional licenses.
Military & veteran services offered
Burial & cremation services
Cremation
- · Cremations
On-site facilities
Affiliations & specializations
Industry affiliations
- · Washington County Chamber of Commerce
- · Sandersville Rotary Club
- · Tennille Rotary Club
Specializations
- · Traditional burial
- · Cremation services
- · Graveside services
Religious traditions & languages
Religious traditions accommodated: Methodist, Baptist, Catholic. 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.