Return Home

Veteran services at Return Home

Veteran families in Auburn, WA can turn to Return Home for honors and benefit coordination. In their own words: "Assistance with filing for VA benefits is included as part of their immediate need services." Published pricing lists a quoted rate for basic burial and $5,450 for direct cremation. The non-declinable service fee is $1,350. Veterans may qualify for county or federal allowances toward these costs.

Published pricing at Return Home: services starting at $5,450. 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 Tahoma National Cemetery in WA, approximately 10 miles from Return Home. Return Home can coordinate transport, scheduling with the cemetery's interment office, and the timing of military honors with the receiving committal shelter.

Return Home also accommodates Lgbtq Affirming traditions for veterans whose religious or cultural observance shapes the service. Military honors can be integrated into the family's tradition with no conflict — the honor detail observes the family's pace.

Washington has approximately 269 licensed funeral homes serving its population, of which a subset specifically lists military funeral honors and VA benefits assistance among their services. Return Home is among them.

Frequently asked questions

What does a funeral at Return Home cost for veteran families?

From its published general price list, general services start at $5,450. 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 Return Home located, and can it coordinate a veterans cemetery burial?

Return Home is located at 4146 B Place Northwest in Auburn, WA. You can reach the home at (206) 888-4663. Staff can coordinate burial with nearby VA national and state veterans cemeteries.

What services does Return Home offer veteran families?

Return Home provides terramation, human composting, natural organic reduction, pre-planning, immediate need services, and can arrange military funeral honors for eligible veterans.

Does Return Home help veterans with VA burial benefits?

Assistance with filing for VA benefits is included as part of their immediate need services.

What sets Return Home apart

Operates the world's first large-scale terramation center with 74 custom-designed vessels.
Offers complimentary terramation for children under 18.
Prioritizes family involvement, allowing personalization and visits to the vessel during the process.
Maintains unparalleled transparency throughout the terramation process.
Utilizes a passive terramation process without internal machinery or active vessel rotation.
Provides 'The Woodland,' an 8-acre privately protected area for scattering remains not taken by families.

On-site facilities

· Terramation Center

· 74 Custom-Designed Vessels

· The Woodland

· Bathing Room

· Laying-In Space

Affiliations & specializations

Industry affiliations

· NFDA 'Best of the Best' Funeral Home Award

Specializations

· Human Composting
· Terramation
· Natural Organic Reduction
· Green Funeral Home

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 Settlement

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.