Veteran services at Vander Ploeg Funeral Home
Vander Ploeg Funeral Home in Boyden, IA supports veteran families with military funeral arrangements. In their own words: "Eldridge Family Funeral Homes offers dedicated veteran services, assisting families with understanding and accessing death benefits and service options through the Veterans Administration. They provide support for military discharge papers (DD 214) and other necessary documentation."
Veteran-related services offered include cremation services, veteran services, and memorial services. Each service is coordinated with the family and, where applicable, with the deceased's last unit or branch honor detail.
Published pricing at Vander Ploeg Funeral Home: direct cremation from $3,295. That places direct cremation roughly 13% above the Iowa median ($2,905). 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 South Dakota Veterans Cemetery in SD, approximately 52 miles from Vander Ploeg Funeral Home. Vander Ploeg Funeral Home can coordinate transport, scheduling with the cemetery's interment office, and the timing of military honors with the receiving committal shelter.
Iowa has approximately 577 licensed funeral homes serving its population, of which a subset specifically lists military funeral honors and VA benefits assistance among their services. Vander Ploeg Funeral Home is among them.
Frequently asked questions
What does a funeral at Vander Ploeg Funeral Home cost for veteran families?
From its published general price list, direct cremation starts at $3,295. 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 Vander Ploeg Funeral Home located, and can it coordinate a veterans cemetery burial?
Vander Ploeg Funeral Home is located at 712 Main St. in Boyden, IA. You can reach the home at (712) 725-2101. Staff can coordinate burial with nearby VA national and state veterans cemeteries.
What services does Vander Ploeg Funeral Home offer veteran families?
Vander Ploeg Funeral Home provides immediate need, traditional services, cremation services, personalization, veteran services, and can arrange military funeral honors for eligible veterans.
Does Vander Ploeg Funeral Home help veterans with VA burial benefits?
Eldridge Family Funeral Homes offers dedicated veteran services, assisting families with understanding and accessing death benefits and service options through the Veterans Administration. They provide support for military discharge papers (DD 214) and other necessary documentation.
Which faith traditions does Vander Ploeg Funeral Home accommodate?
Staff coordinate services for Christian (Protestant), Christian (Catholic), Masonic families, among others.
What sets Vander Ploeg Funeral Home apart
- Multi-generational family ownership and operation, with Peter and Benjamin Eldridge actively involved as funeral directors.
- Extensive grief support programs, including a year of free daily grief emails, the GriefPlan Video Program by Dr. Jason Troyer, and free e-booklets.
- Comprehensive personalization options, such as custom online memorials, tribute videos from family photos, and direct flower ordering.
- Assistance with specific fraternal and religious services, including Masonic services and Rosaries.
- Multiple locations across Northwest Iowa (Paullina, Primghar, Sheldon, Boyden) providing broader regional access.
- Proactive pre-planning resources, including an online form and detailed checklist, to ease future burdens on families.
Military & veteran services offered
Burial & cremation services
Cremation
- · Cremation Services
Affiliations & specializations
Industry affiliations
- · Iowa Funeral Directors Association
Religious traditions & languages
Religious traditions accommodated: Christian (Protestant), Christian (Catholic), Masonic. Languages spoken at the home: English.
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.