Veteran services at Ruestman-Harris Funeral Home
Veteran families in El Paso, IL can turn to Ruestman-Harris Funeral Home for honors and benefit coordination. In their own words: "Ruestman-Harris Funeral Home assists families with completing necessary paperwork to obtain military and burial benefits for veterans. These benefits can include a burial flag, a government-provided headstone or marker, burial in a national or state Veterans Administration cemetery, and a Presidential memorial certificate." Published pricing lists $4,695 for basic burial and $3,995 for direct cremation. Veterans may qualify for county or federal allowances toward these costs.
Veteran-related services offered include burial services, cremation services, and memorials & celebrations. 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 pet scattering garden. 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 Ruestman-Harris Funeral Home: direct cremation from $3,995. That places direct cremation roughly 60% above the Illinois median ($2,495). 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 Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in IL, approximately 58 miles from Ruestman-Harris Funeral Home. Ruestman-Harris Funeral Home can coordinate transport, scheduling with the cemetery's interment office, and the timing of military honors with the receiving committal shelter.
Illinois has approximately 1,192 licensed funeral homes serving its population, of which a subset specifically lists military funeral honors and VA benefits assistance among their services. Ruestman-Harris Funeral Home is among them.
Frequently asked questions
What does a funeral at Ruestman-Harris Funeral Home cost for veteran families?
From its published general price list, direct cremation starts at $3,995. 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 Ruestman-Harris Funeral Home located, and can it coordinate a veterans cemetery burial?
Ruestman-Harris Funeral Home is located at 40 West Main Street in El Paso, IL. You can reach the home at (309) 527-4000. Staff can coordinate burial with nearby VA national and state veterans cemeteries.
What services does Ruestman-Harris Funeral Home offer veteran families?
Ruestman-Harris Funeral Home provides burial services, cremation services, specialty services, pet services, memorials & celebrations, and can arrange military funeral honors for eligible veterans.
Does Ruestman-Harris Funeral Home help veterans with VA burial benefits?
Ruestman-Harris Funeral Home assists families with completing necessary paperwork to obtain military and burial benefits for veterans. These benefits can include a burial flag, a government-provided headstone or marker, burial in a national or state Veterans Administration cemetery, and a Presidential memorial certificate.
Which faith traditions does Ruestman-Harris Funeral Home accommodate?
Staff coordinate services for Catholic, Apostolic Christian, Lutheran (Missouri Synod), Baptist (American Baptist Churches USA) families, among others.
What sets Ruestman-Harris Funeral Home apart
- Comprehensive pet cremation services, including private and group options with clear pricing.
- Dedicated pet scattering garden on-site.
- Detailed guidance and resources for estate settlement and probate processes.
- Online pre-planning tool allowing for extensive personalization of future services.
- Assistance with securing a wide range of veteran burial benefits.
Military & veteran services offered
Burial & cremation services
Burial
- · Burial Services
Cremation
- · Cremation Services
On-site facilities
Affiliations & specializations
Specializations
- · Veteran Services
- · Ash-Scattering Services
- · Pet Services
- · Estate Settlements
Religious traditions & languages
Religious traditions accommodated: Catholic, Apostolic Christian, Lutheran (Missouri Synod), Baptist (American Baptist Churches USA).
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.