Saunders & McFarlin Funeral Home

Veteran services at Saunders & McFarlin Funeral Home

Saunders & McFarlin Funeral Home in Harvard, IL supports veteran families with military funeral arrangements. In their own words: "Saunders & McFarlin Funeral Home provides Military Funeral Honors (MFH) for eligible veterans, which include the folding and presentation of the United States flag and the playing of Taps. The ceremony is performed by a funeral honors detail, with at least one member from the deceased veteran's Armed Force. They can also provide pallbearers if requested. Eligibility extends to active duty military, Selected Reserve members, and former military members who served under honorable conditions. The funeral home assists families in establishing veteran eligibility, primarily through DD Form 214, and provides resources for obtaining necessary documentation." On-site amenities include chapel, suited to flag presentation and honors ceremonies. Published pricing lists $4,998 for basic burial and $2,650 for direct cremation. Veterans may qualify for county or federal allowances toward these costs.

Veteran-related services offered include memorial services, burial, cremation, and veterans services. 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 chapel. 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 Saunders & McFarlin Funeral Home: direct cremation from $2,650. That places direct cremation roughly 6% 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 Southern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery in WI, approximately 33 miles from Saunders & McFarlin Funeral Home. Saunders & McFarlin 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. Saunders & McFarlin Funeral Home is among them.

Frequently asked questions

What sets Saunders & McFarlin Funeral Home apart

• A continuous family legacy in funeral service since the 1890s, with current owner Michael D. Saunders representing the fourth generation.
• Operating their own on-site crematory, ensuring continuous care for loved ones choosing cremation.
• Providing a year of daily grief support messages via email to assist families in their bereavement process.
• Active promotion and resources for the "Have The Talk of a Lifetime" program, encouraging meaningful family conversations for personalized memorialization.

Military & veteran services offered

Burial & cremation services

On-site facilities

Affiliations & specializations

Religious traditions & languages

Religious traditions accommodated: Lutheran, Catholic, Presbyterian. Languages spoken at the home: English, Spanish.

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.