Veteran services at Starks Family Funeral Homes
For veterans in Saint Joseph, MI, Starks Family Funeral Homes coordinates military honors and burial benefits. In their own words: "Starks Family Funeral Homes assists families in determining eligibility for military death benefits, which may include a gravesite at national or state veteran cemeteries, headstones, markers, medallions, Presidential Memorial Certificates, and an American flag. They ensure eligible veterans receive military funeral honors, including an honor guard detail, flag folding and presentation, and the playing of Taps. The funeral home also personalizes services by displaying branch-of-service flags in the chapel and placing special military magnets on the hearse during transport." On-site amenities include chapels and reception hall, suited to flag presentation and honors ceremonies. Published pricing lists $2,895 for basic burial and $1,595 for direct cremation. Veterans may qualify for county or federal allowances toward these costs.
Veteran-related services offered include burial service, cremation service, memorial service, and veteran funeral 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 chapels. 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.
The nearest VA national cemetery is Fort Custer National Cemetery in MI, approximately 61 miles from Starks Family Funeral Homes. Starks Family Funeral Homes 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. Starks Family Funeral Homes is among them.
Frequently asked questions
Does Starks Family Funeral Homes publish funeral prices?
Starks Family Funeral Homes has not posted a full price list online. Under the FTC Funeral Rule it must provide itemized pricing on request — call (269) 556-9450, and ask how VA burial benefits apply.
Where is Starks Family Funeral Homes located, and can it coordinate a veterans cemetery burial?
Starks Family Funeral Homes is located at 2650 Niles Road in Saint Joseph, MI. You can reach the home at (269) 556-9450. Staff can coordinate burial with nearby VA national and state veterans cemeteries.
What services does Starks Family Funeral Homes offer veteran families?
Starks Family Funeral Homes provides funeral pre-arrangement, traditional funeral service, burial service, cremation service, memorial service, and can arrange military funeral honors for eligible veterans.
Does Starks Family Funeral Homes help veterans with VA burial benefits?
Starks Family Funeral Homes assists families in determining eligibility for military death benefits, which may include a gravesite at national or state veteran cemeteries, headstones, markers, medallions, Presidential Memorial Certificates, and an American flag. They ensure eligible veterans receive military funeral honors, including an honor guard detail, flag folding and presentation, and the playing of Taps. The funeral home also personalizes services by displaying branch-of-service flags in the chapel and placing special military magnets on the hearse during transport.
Which faith traditions does Starks Family Funeral Homes accommodate?
Staff coordinate services for Christian, Islamic, Jewish, Roman Catholic, Lutheran families, among others.
What sets Starks Family Funeral Homes apart
- Operates seven chapels across Southwest Michigan, providing local access to services.
- Features an on-site crematory, ensuring direct professional care throughout the cremation process.
- Offers eco-friendly burial options, including seagrass and wicker caskets and biodegradable urns.
- Provides highly personalized committal services, including unique transportation options like horse-drawn carriages or using a loved one's personal vehicle.
- Specialized veteran funeral services include displaying branch-of-service flags in the chapel and placing military magnets on the hearse during transport, in addition to standard military honors.
Military & veteran services offered
Burial & cremation services
Burial
- · Burial Service
Cremation
- · Cremation Service
On-site facilities
Affiliations & specializations
Industry affiliations
- · Funeral Home
Specializations
- · Veteran Funeral Services
- · Eco-Friendly Burial
Religious traditions & languages
Religious traditions accommodated: Christian, Islamic, Jewish, Roman Catholic, Lutheran, 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 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.