Veteran services at McSwain-Evans Funeral Home
McSwain-Evans Funeral Home serves veteran families in Newberry, SC with military funeral planning. In their own words: "The funeral home offers a 'Personalized Veteran's Tribute' and includes a 'Veteran Information' section in its online pre-planning form, indicating support for military honors and veteran-specific arrangements." On-site amenities include parking lot and formal chapel, suited to flag presentation and honors ceremonies. Published pricing lists $4,500 for basic burial and $3,050 for direct cremation. Veterans may qualify for county or federal allowances toward these costs. A modest 22 Google reviews give the firm a 4.6-star average.
Veteran-related services offered include traditional burial, cremation, and online memorials. 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 formal 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 McSwain-Evans Funeral Home: direct cremation from $3,050. That places direct cremation roughly 70% above the South Carolina median ($1,795). 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 Jackson National Cemetery in SC, approximately 45 miles from McSwain-Evans Funeral Home. McSwain-Evans Funeral Home can coordinate transport, scheduling with the cemetery's interment office, and the timing of military honors with the receiving committal shelter.
McSwain-Evans Funeral Home holds a 4.6-star rating from 22 Google reviews, indicating consistent service quality reported by families who have used the home for veteran and non-veteran services alike.
South Carolina has approximately 460 licensed funeral homes serving its population, of which a subset specifically lists military funeral honors and VA benefits assistance among their services. McSwain-Evans Funeral Home is among them.
Frequently asked questions
What does a funeral at McSwain-Evans Funeral Home cost for veteran families?
From its published general price list, direct cremation starts at $3,050. 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 McSwain-Evans Funeral Home located, and can it coordinate a veterans cemetery burial?
McSwain-Evans Funeral Home is located at 1724 Main Street in Newberry, SC. You can reach the home at (803) 276-0610. Staff can coordinate burial with nearby VA national and state veterans cemeteries.
What services does McSwain-Evans Funeral Home offer veteran families?
McSwain-Evans Funeral Home provides obituaries, flower orders, grief support, pre-planning, traditional burial, and can arrange military funeral honors for eligible veterans.
Does McSwain-Evans Funeral Home help veterans with VA burial benefits?
The funeral home offers a 'Personalized Veteran's Tribute' and includes a 'Veteran Information' section in its online pre-planning form, indicating support for military honors and veteran-specific arrangements.
Which faith traditions does McSwain-Evans Funeral Home accommodate?
Staff coordinate services for Lutheran (ELCA), Lutheran (Southern Methodist), Baptist, Presbyterian (ECO), Presbyterian (Reformed) families, among others.
How do families rate McSwain-Evans Funeral Home?
McSwain-Evans Funeral Home holds a 4.6-star rating across 22 Google reviews from local families and veterans.
What sets McSwain-Evans Funeral Home apart
- Operates from the historic Ramage Home (circa 1850) since 1929, with a formal chapel added in 1990.
- Features a dedicated AfterCare Coordinator, Leigh Ringer, who provides personalized grief support, including one year of daily grief emails, workshops, and an annual Service of Remembrance.
- Offers comprehensive online memorial features, including customized online memorials, tribute videos, and direct flower ordering assistance through their website.
- Provides a detailed online pre-planning form to document specific wishes for services, musical selections, readings, and other personal preferences.
- Maintains multi-generational family and long-term employee involvement, with current President Greg Evans being the son of previous owners, and staff members like Pete Simpson and Doug MacFarlane having decades of service and local community ties.
Military & veteran services offered
Burial & cremation services
Burial
- · Traditional Burial
Cremation
- · Cremation
On-site facilities
Affiliations & specializations
Industry affiliations
- · Rotary Club of Newberry
- · Newberry Lions Club
- · Amity Lodge #87
- · Order of the Eastern Star, Chapter 226
- · Newberry County Humane Society
- · Newberry College Athletic Club
- · South Carolina State Board of Funeral Service
Religious traditions & languages
Religious traditions accommodated: Lutheran (ELCA), Lutheran (Southern Methodist), Baptist, Presbyterian (ECO), Presbyterian (Reformed), Episcopal, United Methodist. Languages spoken at the home: English.
What families have said
Recent reviews from families who used McSwain-Evans Funeral Home. Reviews are sourced from Google Places and shown verbatim — we do not edit or filter for sentiment.
“Stellar service and compassion by all of the staff during our recent loss. Greg continues a rich family tradition of service to the grieving with empathy, professionalism, and attention to all the details. Could not have asked for better for our mom. Thank you could never say enough for the warmth and love shown to us by McSwain-Evans. The Dominick Family”
“Losing a loved one is a devastating experience. Greg, Pete, Dylan, Donna and the rest of the staff are top-notch professionals. From the planning of the funeral to the viewing to the visitation, funeral, and burial---they did a fantastic job of making sure everything was perfect for my mom. They are the absolute best and I highly recommend them.”
“Amazing care of our loved one in our time of sadness. Quick and efficient is an understatement. Wonderful to work with and would recommend them highly!”
“My family has never used any other funeral home. Complete professionals at all times, while giving your family a personal touch. They make you feel like you are part of their family at an extremely stressful time. I can't recommend anyone higher. Trust them at your most difficult time. I promise you won't regret it.”
“My family has never used another funeral home & I cannot thank the entire staff for how calm they make such a process, little things mean the most during trying times. I notice the spectacular sympathy and compassion you disperse and that is priceless, thank you McSwain Evans”
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.