Veteran services at Merle Hay Funeral Home
Veteran families in Des Moines, IA can turn to Merle Hay Funeral Home for honors and benefit coordination. In its own description, the home mentions VA benefits paperwork and veterans cemetery burial. On-site amenities include merle hay chapel, sunset memorial chapel, and chapel hill gardens at merle hay cemetery, suited to flag presentation and honors ceremonies. Published pricing lists $5,130 for basic burial and $2,380 for direct cremation. Veterans may qualify for county or federal allowances toward these costs.
The home lists these veteran-related services: cremation, traditional burial, veteran services, cemetery services, and memorialization. Ask the director which of them they arrange directly.
Facilities on site include merle hay chapel, sunset memorial chapel, chapel hill gardens at merle hay cemetery, sunset memorial gardens cemetery, and on-site chapel.
Published pricing at Merle Hay Funeral Home: direct cremation from $2,380. That places direct cremation roughly 18% below the Iowa median ($2,905). If the veteran qualifies for a VA burial allowance, the family claims it with VA Form 21P-530EZ. Ask whether the home will help you file it.
The nearest veterans cemetery that isn't listed as closed is Iowa Veterans Cemetery in IA, about 15 miles from Merle Hay Funeral Home. For a burial in a VA national cemetery, the funeral home or the family calls the National Cemetery Scheduling Office at 800-535-1117.
We list about 577 funeral homes in Iowa. Only some of them name military funeral honors or VA benefits help among their services.
Frequently asked questions
What does a funeral at Merle Hay Funeral Home cost for veteran families?
From its published general price list, direct cremation starts at $2,380. 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 Merle Hay Funeral Home located, and can it coordinate a veterans cemetery burial?
Merle Hay Funeral Home is located at 4400 Merle Hay Rd. in Des Moines, IA. You can reach the home at (515) 278-4633. Staff can coordinate burial with nearby VA national and state veterans cemeteries.
What services does Merle Hay Funeral Home offer veteran families?
Merle Hay Funeral Home provides cremation, traditional burial, pre-planning, funeral services, faith based options, and can arrange military funeral honors for eligible veterans.
Does Merle Hay Funeral Home help veterans with VA burial benefits?
In its own description of its veteran services, Merle Hay Funeral Home mentions VA benefits paperwork and veterans cemetery burial. Ask the home how VA burial benefits apply to your family.
Which faith traditions does Merle Hay Funeral Home accommodate?
Staff coordinate services for Christian (various denominations, including Catholic) families, among others.
What sets Merle Hay Funeral Home apart
- Locally owned and operated by Des Moines natives Blair Overton and Sara Bering.
- No charge for pre-planning consultations or pre-need plan fees; clients only pay for selected services.
- Owns and operates two cemeteries: Chapel Hill Gardens (on-site) and Sunset Memorial Gardens.
- Operates three distinct funeral entities: Merle Hay Chapel (full-service, renovated 2022, 150+ guests), Sunset Memorial Chapel (new 2021, 125 guests), and Brooks Funeral Care (budget-friendly, smaller venue for 75 guests, coordinates with external venues).
- Operates The Cremation Society of Iowa, noted as Iowa's oldest cremation society.
- Offers Spanish-speaking services.
Military and veteran services listed
Burial and cremation services
Burial
- · Traditional Burial
Cremation
- · Cremation
On-site facilities
Affiliations and specialties
Industry affiliations
- · Merle Hay Chapel
- · Sunset Memorial Chapel
- · Brooks Funeral Care
- · Chapel Hill Gardens at Merle Hay
- · Sunset Memorial Gardens
- · The Cremation Society of Iowa
Specialties
- · Budget-Friendly Options
- · Veteran Services
- · Hispanic Community Services
Religious traditions and languages
Religious traditions served: Christian (various denominations, including Catholic). Languages spoken at the home: English, Spanish.
How to request military funeral honors
By law (10 U.S.C. § 1491), an eligible veteran's funeral can include, on request, an honors detail of at least two service members who fold and present the U.S. flag to the family and play Taps. The funeral director usually makes the request and will need the veteran's DD214 or other discharge papers.
VA suggests asking at least 48 to 72 hours before the service. More on what honors include and how to request them.