Planning a Veteran Grandparent's Funeral? What Should You Know?

If you've been tasked with the solemn job of planning a beloved grandparent's funeral, you may find yourself overwhelmed at the options before you and hoping to pull off a service that provides closure to loved ones while fulfilling what your grandparent would have wanted. However, many military veterans may be fairly circumspect about both their military service and their final wishes, putting you in a bind when it becomes time to plan a funeral that respects their wants while also paying homage to their proud history of military service.

Read on to learn more about veteran funeral packages and some of the factors you'll want to consider when debating this as an option.

What Veteran Funeral Packages Are Available?

While many funeral homes throughout the country are family-owned and operated—sometimes remaining in the same family for hundreds of years—most are also members of national funeral organizations that provide comprehensive veterans funeral packages. This means that regardless of whether you're seeking a military funeral in a far-flung part of North Dakota or in the center of Chicago or Washington D.C., you're likely to have a similar array of options at your disposal. 

Many of these packages are somewhat customizable, in that you won't be required to pay for services you don't want or need. For example, you may want a 21-gun salute or a flag-folding ceremony at the funeral, but shy away from burial in a veteran's cemetery. By reviewing the packages available and breaking down what you really believe your grandparent would have wanted, you'll be able to design a funeral that pays excellent tribute to his or her memory. 

What Should You Consider When Deciding on a Package for Your Grandparent? 

There are a few factors you'll want to take into account when making your decision. First, you'll want to take price into account. If your grandparent had funeral insurance, life insurance, or another type of policy specifically intended to pay his or her burial expenses, this can provide you with a ready-made budget; in other situations, you and your family members may need to chip in to cover costs. 

You'll also want to consider timing. If you need to pull off a funeral quickly in order to accommodate out-of-state relatives, or push out the funeral date for a week or more to allow relatives additional travel time, this may impact the type of service you seek. Make sure the package you choose won't affect when your grandparent's funeral can take place.