Veteran services at Simonet Funeral Home
Veteran families in Stillwater, MN can turn to Simonet Funeral Home for honors and benefit coordination. In their own words: "While not explicitly listed as a standalone service, the funeral home employs Dennis Belkey, a veteran of the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps. Additionally, their Pre-Planning Consultant, Brenda Schultz, works with veterans service officers to assist families with veteran-specific arrangements and benefits." Published pricing lists $5,995 for basic burial and $2,595 for direct cremation. Veterans may qualify for county or federal allowances toward these costs.
Veteran-related services offered include cremation services, personalized memorial service, memorial service, graveside service, and online memorials. Each service is coordinated with the family and, where applicable, with the deceased's last unit or branch honor detail.
Published pricing at Simonet Funeral Home: direct cremation from $2,595. That places direct cremation roughly 10% below the Minnesota median ($2,877). 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 Fort Snelling National Cemetery in MN, approximately 24 miles from Simonet Funeral Home. Simonet Funeral Home can coordinate transport, scheduling with the cemetery's interment office, and the timing of military honors with the receiving committal shelter.
Minnesota has approximately 567 licensed funeral homes serving its population, of which a subset specifically lists military funeral honors and VA benefits assistance among their services. Simonet Funeral Home is among them.
Frequently asked questions
What does a funeral at Simonet Funeral Home cost for veteran families?
From its published general price list, direct cremation starts at $2,595. 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 Simonet Funeral Home located, and can it coordinate a veterans cemetery burial?
Simonet Funeral Home is located at 6429 Osgood Avenue North in Stillwater, MN. You can reach the home at (651) 439-7770. Staff can coordinate burial with nearby VA national and state veterans cemeteries.
What services does Simonet Funeral Home offer veteran families?
Simonet Funeral Home provides funeral services, cremation services, traditional funeral, personalized memorial service, pre-planning, and can arrange military funeral honors for eligible veterans.
Does Simonet Funeral Home help veterans with VA burial benefits?
While not explicitly listed as a standalone service, the funeral home employs Dennis Belkey, a veteran of the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps. Additionally, their Pre-Planning Consultant, Brenda Schultz, works with veterans service officers to assist families with veteran-specific arrangements and benefits.
Which faith traditions does Simonet Funeral Home accommodate?
Staff coordinate services for Catholic, Lutheran, Methodist, Episcopal, Christian (General) families, among others.
What sets Simonet Funeral Home apart
- On-site crematory, ensuring loved ones remain in their care throughout the cremation process.
- 365 Days of Grief Support, offering a year of weekly grief messages for comfort.
- Comprehensive online memorials with guestbook, photo uploads, and candle lighting features.
- Personalized tribute videos, blending photos, video clips, and music into lasting keepsakes.
- Partnerships with local florists for convenient flower ordering directly from obituary pages.
- Dedicated Pre-Planning Consultant, Brenda Schultz, who is licensed in Minnesota and works with various professionals, including veterans service officers, for comprehensive pre-arrangement planning.
Military & veteran services offered
Burial & cremation services
Burial
- · Graveside Service
Cremation
- · Cremation Services
On-site facilities
Affiliations & specializations
Specializations
- · Children & Grief Guidance
- · Pre-Planning
Religious traditions & languages
Religious traditions accommodated: Catholic, Lutheran, Methodist, Episcopal, Christian (General). Languages spoken at the home: English.
Branches of service supported
Based on the home's stated services and specializations, Simonet 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.