Veteran services at W.J. Smith & Son Funeral Home
Veteran families in Newport News, VA can turn to W.J. Smith & Son Funeral Home for honors and benefit coordination. In their own words: "Specializes in providing military honors and services for veterans." On-site amenities include on-site parking, suited to flag presentation and honors ceremonies. Published pricing lists a quoted rate for basic burial and $2,485 for direct cremation. Veterans may qualify for county or federal allowances toward these costs.
Veteran-related services offered include memorial services, military services, cremation, and memorials. Each service is coordinated with the family and, where applicable, with the deceased's last unit or branch honor detail.
Published pricing at W.J. Smith & Son Funeral Home: direct cremation from $2,485. That places direct cremation roughly 2% above the Virginia median ($2,435). 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 Albert G. Horton, Jr. Memorial Veterans Cemetery in VA, approximately 18 miles from W.J. Smith & Son Funeral Home. W.J. Smith & Son Funeral Home can coordinate transport, scheduling with the cemetery's interment office, and the timing of military honors with the receiving committal shelter.
Virginia has approximately 579 licensed funeral homes serving its population, of which a subset specifically lists military funeral honors and VA benefits assistance among their services. W.J. Smith & Son Funeral Home is among them.
Frequently asked questions
What does a funeral at W.J. Smith & Son Funeral Home cost for veteran families?
From its published general price list, direct cremation starts at $2,485. 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 W.J. Smith & Son Funeral Home located, and can it coordinate a veterans cemetery burial?
W.J. Smith & Son Funeral Home is located at 210 Harpersville Rd. in Newport News, VA. You can reach the home at (757) 596-6911. Staff can coordinate burial with nearby VA national and state veterans cemeteries.
What services does W.J. Smith & Son Funeral Home offer veteran families?
W.J. Smith & Son Funeral Home provides advance pre-need planning, traditional services, contemporary services, memorial services, military services, and can arrange military funeral honors for eligible veterans.
Does W.J. Smith & Son Funeral Home help veterans with VA burial benefits?
Specializes in providing military honors and services for veterans.
What sets W.J. Smith & Son Funeral Home apart
- Oldest family-owned and operated business in the Tidewater Peninsula area, established in 1854.
- Six generations of continuous family ownership and operation.
- Founding member of the Virginia Funeral Directors Association (1888).
- Specialization in providing military honors and services for veterans.
Military & veteran services offered
Burial & cremation services
Cremation
- · Cremation
On-site facilities
Affiliations & specializations
Industry affiliations
- · National Funeral Directors Association
- · Cremation Association of North America
- · Virginia Funeral Directors Association
- · Independent Funeral Homes of Virginia
- · Tidewater Funeral Directors Association
- · Virginia Peninsula Chamber of Commerce
- · Better Business Bureau
Specializations
- · Military Services
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.