Veteran services at Skelton Funeral Home
Skelton Funeral Home serves veteran families in Reform, AL with military funeral planning. The home assists with VA paperwork, honor-guard requests, and scheduling at veterans cemeteries. On-site amenities include skelton funeral home chapel and dogwood chapel, suited to flag presentation and honors ceremonies. Published pricing lists $5,245 for basic burial and $2,750 for direct cremation. Veterans may qualify for county or federal allowances toward these costs. On Google it averages 4.3 stars across 16 reviews.
The home lists these veteran-related services: memorial services, graveside ceremonies, basic cremation options, and full service cremation options. Ask the director which of them they arrange directly.
Facilities on site include skelton funeral home chapel and dogwood chapel.
Published pricing at Skelton Funeral Home: direct cremation from $2,750. That places direct cremation roughly 47% above the Alabama median ($1,870). If the veteran qualifies for a VA burial allowance, the family claims it with VA Form 21P-530EZ. Ask whether the home will help you file it.
The nearest veterans cemetery that isn't listed as closed is Alabama National Cemetery in AL, about 70 miles from Skelton Funeral Home. For a burial in a VA national cemetery, the funeral home or the family calls the National Cemetery Scheduling Office at 800-535-1117.
Skelton Funeral Home has a 4.3-star rating from 16 Google reviews.
We list about 479 funeral homes in Alabama. Only some of them name military funeral honors or VA benefits help among their services.
Frequently asked questions
What does a funeral at Skelton Funeral Home cost for veteran families?
From its published general price list, direct cremation starts at $2,750. 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 Skelton Funeral Home located, and can it coordinate a veterans cemetery burial?
Skelton Funeral Home is located at 2105 2Nd Street Southwest Sw-Hwy 17S in Reform, AL. You can reach the home at (205) 375-9661. Staff can coordinate burial with nearby VA national and state veterans cemeteries.
What services does Skelton Funeral Home offer veteran families?
Skelton Funeral Home provides traditional funerals, memorial services, graveside ceremonies, basic cremation options, full service cremation options, and can arrange military funeral honors for eligible veterans.
Does Skelton Funeral Home help veterans with VA burial benefits?
Skelton Funeral Home assists veteran families with VA burial benefits, military funeral honors, and coordination with national and state veterans cemeteries. Eligible veterans may receive a burial allowance and a free government headstone.
Which faith traditions does Skelton Funeral Home accommodate?
Staff coordinate services for Free Will Baptist, Independent Methodist, Christian Methodist Episcopal (CME), United Methodist, Baptist families, among others.
How do families rate Skelton Funeral Home?
Skelton Funeral Home holds a 4.3-star rating across 16 Google reviews from local families and veterans.
What sets Skelton Funeral Home apart
- Founder David Skelton's extensive career in funeral service since 1973 before establishing his own funeral home in 2000.
- Operates two chapel facilities: Skelton Funeral Home Chapel in Reform and Dogwood Chapel in Aliceville.
- Provides comprehensive online grief resources through the Griefwords Online Library from the Center for Loss and Life Transition.
- Offers both in-person and online pre-planning and immediate arrangement options.
- Staff includes licensed funeral directors and embalmers, with some members actively involved in local religious leadership roles.
Military and veteran services listed
Burial and cremation services
Burial
- · Graveside Ceremonies
Cremation
- · Basic Cremation Options
- · Full Service Cremation Options
On-site facilities
Religious traditions and languages
Religious traditions served: Free Will Baptist, Independent Methodist, Christian Methodist Episcopal (CME), United Methodist, Baptist, Catholic. Languages spoken at the home: English.
What families have said
Up to five Google reviews of Skelton Funeral Home, shown as written. Reviews that mention veterans, military service, honors, a flag or a cemetery come first, then the highest-rated.
“After visiting another funeral home to plan ahead the funeral for my terminally ill mother, I was discouraged by the experience and dreaded the process. My brother suggested this funeral home, and I’m so glad that he did. From the moment we walked in, the staff was empathetic and comforting. Austin and his staff understand that this is not the time to make a profit off of people who are grieving. He listened to what we wanted, and he respected our requests without pushing for more. Everyone here was kind and compassionate. My mother’s funeral service was beautiful and exactly what she wanted. I highly recommend using Skelton’s Funeral Home.”
“Skelton Funerals did an amazing job of caring for my wife and arranged for out of state pickup and burial for her. Everything was so well done and handled with great care and concern. I can definitely recommend them and would use their services again when needed. Austin was my director and he was very kind.”
“Most of the staff were great but when you lose a loved one it should be a very smooth process and your wishes should be fulfilled to help ease the pain. Unfortunately we had to contact the funeral home several times about details rather than them contact us as promised and I was lied to about the end of the service when my loved one’s body was transported to the burial grounds without my grieving mother as requested before the service started. I will not use or recommend this funeral service to anyone ever! As for my family that will be buried in the same area we will use Magnolia in Tuscaloosa.”
“Skelton Funeral Home was a godsend for our family when my mother in law passed. Austin and his staff were caring, compassionate, patient, understanding and made us feel as if we were the only customers he had. They went above and beyond to help us. He runs his business with high standards and excellence. Not once did our family feel as if this was a business transaction. We drove from Tuscaloosa to Reform and it was beyond worth it. In my opinion, no other funeral home exists. (I am not related to anyone affiliated with the funeral home, even though we share a last name.)”
“Austin and his staff treated my family like we was their family and went out of their way to make sure we had everything we needed even walking us through the whole process and helping us make the right decision that was best for us. I would suggest them to anyone looking to make future arrangements for themselves or a loved one. If your looking for people who genuinely care about people and want the best for their loved ones I suggest Skelton Funeral Home.”
How to request military funeral honors
By law (10 U.S.C. § 1491), an eligible veteran's funeral can include, on request, an honors detail of at least two service members who fold and present the U.S. flag to the family and play Taps. The funeral director usually makes the request and will need the veteran's DD214 or other discharge papers.
VA suggests asking at least 48 to 72 hours before the service. More on what honors include and how to request them.