Veteran services at Saksa Mateer Funeral Home
Veteran families in Edwardsville, IL can turn to Saksa Mateer Funeral Home for honors and benefit coordination. In their own words: "The funeral home provides assistance with Veteran’s Death Benefits. Obituaries indicate services for U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force veterans." Published pricing lists $4,000 for basic burial and $2,160 for direct cremation. Veterans may qualify for county or federal allowances toward these costs.
Veteran-related services offered include cremation services and veteran’s death benefits. Each service is coordinated with the family and, where applicable, with the deceased's last unit or branch honor detail.
Published pricing at Saksa Mateer Funeral Home: direct cremation from $1,950. That places direct cremation roughly 22% below 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 Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in MO, approximately 28 miles from Saksa Mateer Funeral Home. Saksa Mateer 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. Saksa Mateer Funeral Home is among them.
Frequently asked questions
What does a funeral at Saksa Mateer Funeral Home cost for veteran families?
From its published general price list, direct cremation starts at $1,950. 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 Saksa Mateer Funeral Home located, and can it coordinate a veterans cemetery burial?
Saksa Mateer Funeral Home is located at 210 North Kansas St. in Edwardsville, IL. You can reach the home at (618) 656-7577. Staff can coordinate burial with nearby VA national and state veterans cemeteries.
What services does Saksa Mateer Funeral Home offer veteran families?
Saksa Mateer Funeral Home provides pre-need arrangements, funeral cost estimates, traditional funeral services, cremation services, out-of-town funeral arrangements, and can arrange military funeral honors for eligible veterans.
Does Saksa Mateer Funeral Home help veterans with VA burial benefits?
The funeral home provides assistance with Veteran’s Death Benefits. Obituaries indicate services for U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force veterans.
Which faith traditions does Saksa Mateer Funeral Home accommodate?
Staff coordinate services for Catholic, Presbyterian, Lutheran, Non-denominational Christian families, among others.
What sets Saksa Mateer Funeral Home apart
- Operates two facilities with a long history: Thomas Funeral Home since 1900 and Mateer Funeral Home since 1937.
- Offers a full spectrum of services including pre-need arrangements, funeral cost estimates, and both traditional and cremation services.
- Provides assistance with various death benefits (Life Insurance, Social Security, Veteran's).
- Offers additional services such as monuments, licensed life insurance agents, and counseling.
- Affiliated with the International Order of the Golden Rule.
Military & veteran services offered
Burial & cremation services
Cremation
- · Cremation Services
On-site facilities
Affiliations & specializations
Industry affiliations
- · International Order of the Golden Rule
Specializations
- · Veteran services
- · Cremation services
- · Green burial
- · Funeral planning
- · Reception Hall
- · Webcasting (Video Streaming)
Religious traditions & languages
Religious traditions accommodated: Catholic, Presbyterian, Lutheran, Non-denominational Christian.
Branches of service supported
Based on the home's stated services and specializations, Saksa Mateer Funeral Home has documented experience supporting the following branches:
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.