Schaeffer Mortuary

Veteran services at Schaeffer Mortuary

Schaeffer Mortuary in Caldwell, KS supports veteran families with military funeral arrangements. In their own words: "The mortuary's grief support page lists the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs as a resource for federal benefits to veterans and their dependents." On-site amenities include on-site chapel, reception space, and ample parking, suited to flag presentation and honors ceremonies. Published pricing lists $4,795 for basic burial and $3,590 for direct cremation. Veterans may qualify for county or federal allowances toward these costs.

Veteran-related services offered include traditional funeral or graveside service, cremation without services, cremation with services, and cemetery markers. 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 on-site 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 Schaeffer Mortuary: direct cremation from $3,590. That places direct cremation roughly 36% above the Kansas median ($2,647). 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 Kansas Veterans Cemetery at Winfield in KS, approximately 38 miles from Schaeffer Mortuary. Schaeffer Mortuary can coordinate transport, scheduling with the cemetery's interment office, and the timing of military honors with the receiving committal shelter.

Kansas has approximately 428 licensed funeral homes serving its population, of which a subset specifically lists military funeral honors and VA benefits assistance among their services. Schaeffer Mortuary is among them.

Frequently asked questions

What does a funeral at Schaeffer Mortuary cost for veteran families?

From its published general price list, direct cremation starts at $3,590. 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 Schaeffer Mortuary located, and can it coordinate a veterans cemetery burial?

Schaeffer Mortuary is located at 6 North Main Street in Caldwell, KS. You can reach the home at (620) 845-6424. Staff can coordinate burial with nearby VA national and state veterans cemeteries.

What services does Schaeffer Mortuary offer veteran families?

Schaeffer Mortuary provides traditional funeral or graveside service, cremation without services, cremation with services, cemetery markers, monuments, and can arrange military funeral honors for eligible veterans.

Does Schaeffer Mortuary help veterans with VA burial benefits?

The mortuary's grief support page lists the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs as a resource for federal benefits to veterans and their dependents.

Which faith traditions does Schaeffer Mortuary accommodate?

Staff coordinate services for Assembly of God, Central Christian Church, United Methodist Church, First Baptist Church, First Presbyterian Church families, among others.

What sets Schaeffer Mortuary apart

Over 135 years of continuous operation, established in 1885, making it a long-standing fixture in Caldwell.
Multi-generational family ownership, currently by David and Teresa Mardis, with their daughter Sarah Mardis also a licensed funeral director and embalmer.
Co-ownership of Mardis Monument Company, offering in-house services for monuments, vases, and monument restoration.
David Mardis's active participation in local history, including portraying original founder John Schaeffer in the 'Talking Tombstones' group.

Military & veteran services offered

★Cemetery Markers

Burial & cremation services

Burial

· Traditional Funeral Or Graveside Service

Cremation

· Cremation Without Services
· Cremation With Services

On-site facilities

· On-site chapel

· Viewing rooms

· Reception space

· On-site crematory

· Wheelchair accessible

· Ample parking

· Webcasting services

Affiliations & specializations

Industry affiliations

· Kansas Funeral Directors Association

Specializations

· Veteran services
· Green burial

Religious traditions & languages

Religious traditions accommodated: Assembly of God, Central Christian Church, United Methodist Church, First Baptist Church, First Presbyterian Church, St. Martin of Tours Catholic Church. 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 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.