Sommerfeld Chapel

Veteran services at Sommerfeld Chapel

Veteran families in New Buffalo, MI can turn to Sommerfeld Chapel for honors and benefit coordination. In their own words: "Starks Family Funeral Homes provides extensive veteran funeral services, including assisting families in determining eligibility for military death benefits through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and the appropriate armed forces branch. They help secure benefits such as a gravesite at National Cemeteries (like Fort Custer National Cemetery in Augusta, Michigan), headstones, markers, or medallions, Presidential Memorial Certificates, and American flags to drape over caskets or accompany urns. The funeral home also facilitates burial allowances and can arrange specific honors like horse-drawn limbers and caissons, aerial flyovers, gun salutes (number of shots based on rank), and a riderless horse for commanding officers. By law, an honor guard detail of at least two Armed Forces members performs flag folding, presentation to the next of kin, and the playing of Taps. The chapels display flags representing the veteran's branch of service during visitations and services, and military magnets are placed on hearses during processions." On-site amenities include ample parking, chapel, and reception hall, suited to flag presentation and honors ceremonies. Published pricing lists a quoted rate for basic burial and $2,335 for direct cremation. Veterans may qualify for county or federal allowances toward these costs.

Veteran-related services offered include burial services, cremation services, direct burial, graveside funeral service, and veteran funeral 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 Sommerfeld Chapel: direct cremation from $2,335. That places direct cremation roughly 6% above the Michigan median ($2,200). 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 Sheridan National Cemetery in IL, approximately 62 miles from Sommerfeld Chapel. Sommerfeld Chapel can coordinate transport, scheduling with the cemetery's interment office, and the timing of military honors with the receiving committal shelter.

Michigan has approximately 836 licensed funeral homes serving its population, of which a subset specifically lists military funeral honors and VA benefits assistance among their services. Sommerfeld Chapel is among them.

Frequently asked questions

What does a funeral at Sommerfeld Chapel cost for veteran families?

From its published general price list, direct cremation starts at $2,335. 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 Sommerfeld Chapel located, and can it coordinate a veterans cemetery burial?

Sommerfeld Chapel is located at 15 North Barton St. in New Buffalo, MI. You can reach the home at (269) 469-2233. Staff can coordinate burial with nearby VA national and state veterans cemeteries.

What services does Sommerfeld Chapel offer veteran families?

Sommerfeld Chapel provides burial services, committal service, cremation services, direct burial, funeral services, and can arrange military funeral honors for eligible veterans.

Does Sommerfeld Chapel help veterans with VA burial benefits?

Starks Family Funeral Homes provides extensive veteran funeral services, including assisting families in determining eligibility for military death benefits through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and the appropriate armed forces branch. They help secure benefits such as a gravesite at National Cemeteries (like Fort Custer National Cemetery in Augusta, Michigan), headstones, markers, or medallions, Presidential Memorial Certificates, and American flags to drape over caskets or accompany urns. The funeral home also facilitates burial allowances and can arrange specific honors like horse-drawn limbers and caissons, aerial flyovers, gun salutes (number of shots based on rank), and a riderless horse for commanding officers. By law, an honor guard detail of at least two Armed Forces members performs flag folding, presentation to the next of kin, and the playing of Taps. The chapels display flags representing the veteran's branch of service during visitations and services, and military magnets are placed on hearses during processions.

Which faith traditions does Sommerfeld Chapel accommodate?

Staff coordinate services for Christian, Islamic, Jewish, Roman Catholic, Lutheran families, among others.

What sets Sommerfeld Chapel apart

Operates seven chapels across Southwest Michigan, including the largest funeral home in Southwest Michigan (Starks & Menchinger Chapel in St. Joseph).
Starks & Menchinger Chapel in St. Joseph is configurable for up to 300 guests or five smaller private gathering spaces.
Starks & Menchinger Chapel in St. Joseph is designed to be ecologically responsible.
Offers eco-friendly burial options, including seagrass and wicker caskets, and biodegradable urns.
Provides livestreaming and recording services for funeral events.
Features private family lounges with kitchens and children's rooms with entertainment.

Military & veteran services offered

★Veteran Funeral Services

Burial & cremation services

Burial

· Burial Services
· Committal Service
· Direct Burial
· Graveside Funeral Service

Cremation

· Cremation Services

On-site facilities

· ADA Accessible Facilities

· Ample Parking

· Chapel

· Children's DVD/TV Area

· Community Room

· Family Break Area

· Kitchen

· Livestreaming Services

· Microwave

· Private Family Lounge

· Private Place To Talk

· Reception Hall

· Refrigerator

· Service Recording

· Snack Table

· Tent For Larger Services

· Water, Coffee, And Cookies During Visitations

Affiliations & specializations

Industry affiliations

· Lory's Place

Specializations

· Eco-Friendly Burial
· Military Funeral Honors

Religious traditions & languages

Religious traditions accommodated: Christian, Islamic, Jewish, Roman Catholic, Lutheran, United Methodist, Baptist, Congregational, Church of God.

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.