Veteran services at Murphy Funeral Home
Murphy Funeral Home in Mt Pleasant, IA supports veteran families with military funeral arrangements. In their own words: "Murphy Funeral Home assists with arranging Military Funeral Honors, which include flag folding, flag presentation, a gun salute, and the playing of Taps. They require a copy of the veteran's DD 214 certificate of honorable discharge to arrange these services and can assist in obtaining this form if needed. The funeral home also helps families obtain government-furnished headstones or markers from the Department of Veterans Affairs at no charge and will arrange for their installation. Additionally, they secure the United States Flag, provided at no cost, to drape over the casket or be folded for an honorably discharged veteran's service." Published pricing lists $5,035 for basic burial and $2,135 for direct cremation. Veterans may qualify for county or federal allowances toward these costs.
Veteran-related services offered include cremation services and veterans services. Each service is coordinated with the family and, where applicable, with the deceased's last unit or branch honor detail.
Published pricing at Murphy Funeral Home: direct cremation from $2,135. That places direct cremation roughly 27% below the Iowa median ($2,905). 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 Keokuk National Cemetery Annex in IA, approximately 40 miles from Murphy Funeral Home. Murphy Funeral Home can coordinate transport, scheduling with the cemetery's interment office, and the timing of military honors with the receiving committal shelter.
Iowa has approximately 577 licensed funeral homes serving its population, of which a subset specifically lists military funeral honors and VA benefits assistance among their services. Murphy Funeral Home is among them.
Frequently asked questions
What does a funeral at Murphy Funeral Home cost for veteran families?
From its published general price list, direct cremation starts at $2,135. 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 Murphy Funeral Home located, and can it coordinate a veterans cemetery burial?
Murphy Funeral Home is located at 408 North Broadway Street in Mt Pleasant, IA. You can reach the home at (319) 385-4713. Staff can coordinate burial with nearby VA national and state veterans cemeteries.
What services does Murphy Funeral Home offer veteran families?
Murphy Funeral Home provides traditional religious services, cremation services, monument sales, pre-arrangements, veterans services, and can arrange military funeral honors for eligible veterans.
Does Murphy Funeral Home help veterans with VA burial benefits?
Murphy Funeral Home assists with arranging Military Funeral Honors, which include flag folding, flag presentation, a gun salute, and the playing of Taps. They require a copy of the veteran's DD 214 certificate of honorable discharge to arrange these services and can assist in obtaining this form if needed. The funeral home also helps families obtain government-furnished headstones or markers from the Department of Veterans Affairs at no charge and will arrange for their installation. Additionally, they secure the United States Flag, provided at no cost, to drape over the casket or be folded for an honorably discharged veteran's service.
Which faith traditions does Murphy Funeral Home accommodate?
Staff coordinate services for Baptist, Lutheran, Methodist, Catholic, Open Bible families, among others.
What sets Murphy Funeral Home apart
- Over a century of continuous operation, family-owned since 2005
- Comprehensive monument sales and services available on-site
- Extensive community involvement by owner Jeff Murphy, including leadership roles on local cemetery boards and church activities
- Specialization in Veterans Services, including arranging military honors, obtaining headstones, and securing burial flags
- Emphasis on personalized service and affordability
Military & veteran services offered
Burial & cremation services
Cremation
- · Cremation Services
On-site facilities
Affiliations & specializations
Industry affiliations
- · Iowa Funeral Director Association
- · National Funeral Directors Association
Specializations
- · Monuments
- · Veterans Services
Religious traditions & languages
Religious traditions accommodated: Baptist, Lutheran, Methodist, Catholic, Open Bible, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 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.