Veteran services at Suminski Family Funeral Homes
Veteran families in Milwaukee, WI can turn to Suminski Family Funeral Homes for honors and benefit coordination. In their own words: "Heritage Funeral Homes provides specialized veteran funeral services, including assistance with obtaining VA benefits, coordinating military funeral honors (flag presentation, Taps, rifle detail, color guard), and customizing services to reflect the individual's life and service. They also help families apply for burial allowances, Presidential Memorial Certificates, burial flags, and custom headstones for honorably discharged veterans." Published pricing lists $5,010 for basic burial and $3,710 for direct cremation. Veterans may qualify for county or federal allowances toward these costs.
Published pricing at Suminski Family Funeral Homes: direct cremation from $2,570. That places direct cremation roughly 11% below the Wisconsin median ($2,885). 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 Southern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery in WI, approximately 23 miles from Suminski Family Funeral Homes. Suminski Family Funeral Homes can coordinate transport, scheduling with the cemetery's interment office, and the timing of military honors with the receiving committal shelter.
Wisconsin has approximately 539 licensed funeral homes serving its population, of which a subset specifically lists military funeral honors and VA benefits assistance among their services. Suminski Family Funeral Homes is among them.
Frequently asked questions
What does a funeral at Suminski Family Funeral Homes cost for veteran families?
From its published general price list, direct cremation starts at $2,570. 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 Suminski Family Funeral Homes located, and can it coordinate a veterans cemetery burial?
Suminski Family Funeral Homes is located at 1901 North Farwell Ave. in Milwaukee, WI. You can reach the home at (414) 276-5122. Staff can coordinate burial with nearby VA national and state veterans cemeteries.
Does Suminski Family Funeral Homes offer cremation for veterans?
Yes. Direct cremation at Suminski Family Funeral Homes starts at $2,570. Cremated veterans remain eligible for inurnment in a VA national cemetery.
Does Suminski Family Funeral Homes help veterans with VA burial benefits?
Heritage Funeral Homes provides specialized veteran funeral services, including assistance with obtaining VA benefits, coordinating military funeral honors (flag presentation, Taps, rifle detail, color guard), and customizing services to reflect the individual's life and service. They also help families apply for burial allowances, Presidential Memorial Certificates, burial flags, and custom headstones for honorably discharged veterans.
Which faith traditions does Suminski Family Funeral Homes accommodate?
Staff coordinate services for Catholic, Lutheran, Baptist, Methodist, Presbyterian families, among others.
What sets Suminski Family Funeral Homes apart
- Over a century of family legacy in Milwaukee funeral service, initially as Suminski Family Funeral Homes, now part of Heritage Funeral Homes.
- Offers a "Life Story Experience" for highly personalized services, including custom audio/visual tributes, photo boards, and in-house printing for memory items.
- Comprehensive veteran funeral services, including assistance with VA benefits, coordination of military honors (flag presentation, Taps, rifle detail, color guard), and customized tributes.
- Ability to host receptions and memorial gatherings with food and beverage options in inviting lounges.
- Commitment to serving diverse faith communities, coordinating with clergy from various Christian denominations and other faiths to honor specific customs and rituals.
Religious traditions & languages
Religious traditions accommodated: Catholic, Lutheran, Baptist, Methodist, Presbyterian, Anglican, Pentecostal, Non-denominational Christian, Other faiths (with clergy coordination).
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.