Veteran services at Simmons-Rentschler Mortuary
Simmons-Rentschler Mortuary in Smith Center, KS supports veteran families with military funeral arrangements. In their own words: "Rentschler Family Mortuaries offers specific services for honoring veterans, and their preplanning checklist includes gathering military service information such as branch, rank, dates of enlistment and discharge, and names of conflicts served." On-site amenities include on-site chapel and reception hall, suited to flag presentation and honors ceremonies. Published pricing lists $7,635 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 honoring veterans, burial, cremation, and graveside service. 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 Simmons-Rentschler Mortuary: direct cremation from $3,995. That places direct cremation roughly 51% 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 WaKeeney in KS, approximately 78 miles from Simmons-Rentschler Mortuary. Simmons-Rentschler 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. Simmons-Rentschler Mortuary is among them.
Frequently asked questions
What does a funeral at Simmons-Rentschler Mortuary 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 Simmons-Rentschler Mortuary located, and can it coordinate a veterans cemetery burial?
Simmons-Rentschler Mortuary is located at 116 West First St. in Smith Center, KS. You can reach the home at (785) 282-6691. Staff can coordinate burial with nearby VA national and state veterans cemeteries.
What services does Simmons-Rentschler Mortuary offer veteran families?
Simmons-Rentschler Mortuary provides personalization, honoring veterans, burial, cremation, visitation, and can arrange military funeral honors for eligible veterans.
Does Simmons-Rentschler Mortuary help veterans with VA burial benefits?
Rentschler Family Mortuaries offers specific services for honoring veterans, and their preplanning checklist includes gathering military service information such as branch, rank, dates of enlistment and discharge, and names of conflicts served.
Which faith traditions does Simmons-Rentschler Mortuary accommodate?
Staff coordinate services for Catholic, Methodist, Christian (Disciples of Christ), Evangelical Free, Nazarene families, among others.
What sets Simmons-Rentschler Mortuary apart
- Extensive network of five chapel locations across multiple Kansas towns (Smith Center, Osborne, Lucas, Luray, Sylvan Grove).
- Comprehensive preplanning options with prepayments held in a trust fund and transferable to any funeral home in the United States.
- Strong emphasis on personalization, allowing for unique life celebrations with specific musical selections, readings, hobbies, themes, and food/beverage preferences.
- Dedicated services for honoring veterans, including assistance with military service information.
Military & veteran services offered
Burial & cremation services
Burial
- · Burial
- · Graveside Service
Cremation
- · Cremation
- · Ashes Returned To Family
On-site facilities
Affiliations & specializations
Specializations
- · Honoring Veterans
Religious traditions & languages
Religious traditions accommodated: Catholic, Methodist, Christian (Disciples of Christ), Evangelical Free, Nazarene, Lutheran.
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.