Tag: veteran cremation

Veteran Cremation Services in Tarpon Springs: What Families Need to Know

09.02.2025

Tarpon Springs is home to many veterans and military families who deserve dignity and honor in their final arrangements. When a veteran passes away, families often ask: What cremation benefits are available? At Going Home Cremations, we specialize in direct cremation and proudly support veterans with affordable services and guidance on accessing military honors.

This guide explains how Tarpon Springs families can coordinate direct cremation for veterans and take advantage of available benefits.

What Is Direct Cremation for Veterans?

Direct cremation is a simple, respectful process that includes:

  • Transportation from the place of death
  • Filing of the death certificate
  • Cremation performed locally
  • A free urn and online obituary
  • Optional delivery or pickup of ashes

It does not include a memorial service at the cremation facility, but families can plan their own tribute at a cemetery, church, or home.

🔗 Learn more about our direct cremation services:
https://www.goinghomecremations.com/direct-cremation/

🪖 VA Burial Benefits for Cremated Veterans

Veterans who were honorably discharged may be eligible for:

✅ Free Burial in a National Cemetery

The VA offers free interment of cremated remains in national cemeteries, including:

  • A niche or gravesite
  • Opening and closing of the grave
  • Perpetual care
  • A government headstone or marker

🔗 Find a nearby national cemetery:
https://www.cem.va.gov/cem/cems/listcem.asp

✅ Military Honors

Eligible veterans can receive:

  • A U.S. flag presentation
  • Taps played by a bugler or recording
  • Honor guard presence

These honors can be arranged at the cemetery or during a private memorial.

🔗 Learn more about military funeral honors:
https://www.va.gov/burials-memorials/memorial-items/military-honors/

📄 Documents You’ll Need

To access VA benefits, families should gather:

  • DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty)
  • Death certificate
  • VA Form 40-1330 (for requesting a headstone or marker)

If you don’t have the DD-214, you can request it from the National Archives.

🔗 Request military records:
https://www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records

🏞️ Local Options for Memorials in Tarpon Springs

While Going Home Cremations does not host memorials, families can plan tributes at:

  • Sunset Beach or Fred Howard Park for ash scattering
  • St. Nicholas Cathedral for religious blessings
  • Bay Pines National Cemetery for interment

🔗 Learn about ash scattering in Florida:
https://www.floridadep.gov

🧭 Why Tarpon Springs Families Choose Us

  • Affordable pricing: Direct cremation starts at $895
  • Local service: We serve Pinellas County and surrounding areas
  • Veteran support: We help families navigate VA paperwork
  • Compassionate care: We treat every veteran with honor

🔗 View our Tarpon Springs cremation services:
https://www.goinghomecremations.com/service-areas/tarpon-springs-florida-cremation/

📞 Final Thoughts

Veterans gave so much to our country. When it’s time to say goodbye, they deserve a farewell that reflects their service and sacrifice. At Going Home Cremations, we’re honored to help Tarpon Springs families coordinate direct cremation with dignity and care.

📞 Call us at (727) 273-7256
💬 Visit: https://www.goinghomecremations.com

Cremation and Veterans in Tierra Verde: Benefits and Burial Options

08.20.2025

Veterans deserve honor, dignity, and respect in life—and in death. For families in Tierra Verde, Florida, understanding the cremation benefits available to veterans can make a difficult time a little easier. At Going Home Cremations, we proudly serve veterans and their families with affordable direct cremation services and guidance on accessing burial honors through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

🇺🇸 Veteran Cremation Benefits: What’s Available

Veterans who were honorably discharged may be eligible for several benefits, including:

✅ Free Burial in a National Cemetery

The VA provides free burial for eligible veterans in national cemeteries, including:

  • A gravesite or niche for cremated remains
  • Opening and closing of the grave
  • Perpetual care
  • A government headstone or marker

🔗 Find a national cemetery near Tierra Verde:
https://www.cem.va.gov/cem/cems/listcem.asp

✅ Military Honors

Eligible veterans can receive military honors, including:

  • A flag presentation
  • Taps played by a bugler or recording
  • Honor guard presence

These honors can be arranged at a memorial service or during the interment of ashes.

🔗 Learn more about military funeral honors:
https://www.va.gov/burials-memorials/memorial-items/military-honors/

⚰️ Direct Cremation for Veterans in Tierra Verde

At Going Home Cremations, we offer direct cremation for veterans starting at $795. This includes:

  • 24/7 transportation from the place of death
  • Filing of death certificate
  • Cremation performed locally
  • Free urn
  • Online obituary

We do not offer memorial services at our facility, but we help families coordinate with national cemeteries and local venues for tributes.

🔗 View our Tierra Verde cremation package:
https://goinghomecremations.com/tierra-verde-low-cost-cremation/

📄 Documents You’ll Need

To access veteran benefits, families should gather:

  • DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty)
  • Death certificate
  • VA Form 40-1330 (for requesting a headstone or marker)

If you don’t have the DD-214, you can request it from the National Archives.

🔗 Request military records:
https://www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records

🕊️ Scattering Ashes or Burial Options

Families can choose to:

  • Scatter ashes in a meaningful location (beach, park, etc.)
  • Inter ashes in a national cemetery
  • Keep ashes in a home urn or columbarium

We help families understand the legal and emotional considerations of each option.

🔗 Learn about ash scattering in Florida:
https://www.floridadep.gov

💬 Why Tierra Verde Families Trust Us

  • Local expertise in veteran cremation coordination
  • Transparent pricing with no hidden fees
  • Compassionate service from a family-owned provider
  • Support with VA paperwork and cemetery coordination

🔗 Meet our team:
https://goinghomecremations.com/about-us/

📞 Final Thoughts

Veterans gave so much to our country. When it’s time to say goodbye, they deserve a farewell that reflects their service and sacrifice. At Going Home Cremations, we’re honored to help Tierra Verde families navigate cremation and burial options with care and respect.

If your loved one was a veteran, call us today. We’ll walk you through every step and help you access the benefits they earned.

📞 Call us at (727) 273-7256
💬 Visit: https://www.goinghomecremations.com

Direct Cremation & Veteran Benefits in Tarpon

06.13.2025

 

🇺🇸 Direct Cremation & Veteran Benefits in Tarpon Springs: Honoring Our Heroes with Dignity

Memorializing a loved one who served in the military goes beyond words—it calls for meaningful gestures that honor their sacrifice. When a veteran passes away in Tarpon Springs, choosing direct cremation doesn’t mean you can’t still recognize their service or access well-deserved honors.

At Going Home Cremations, we are dedicated to supporting veterans and their families with compassionate direct cremation services, help securing VA honors, and guidance on their veteran benefits. Here’s how we can help you honor your hero—on Memorial Day, Veterans Day, or any day of remembrance.

1. 🏳️ American Flag Presentation for Veterans

All honorably discharged U.S. veterans are entitled to a burial flag, provided by the VA, at no cost to their family. While this flag is typically draped over a casket, for cremation cases it may be folded and presented to next of kin. Families need VA Form 27-2008 and a DD-214 discharge form to request the flag  .

At Going Home Cremations, we help families in Tarpon Springs obtain the burial flag, ensuring your loved one’s service is recognized with dignity—even without a formal service.

2. Tombstones, Markers & Presidential Certificates

The VA provides free headstones, grave markers, and Presidential Memorial Certificates to eligible veterans  . These honors are available whether your veteran is interred in a national cemetery or laid to rest in a private plot.

At Going Home Cremations, we guide families through the application process and provide the necessary documentation, such as certified death certificates and proof of veteran status.

3. National Cemetery Inurnment & Burial Space

For veterans choosing cremation, inurnment in a national cemetery niche is available at no cost. This includes opening and closing of the niche or grave, perpetual care, and honors services  .

We assist families in arranging placement of ashes into national, state, or military cemeteries and provide details on scheduling inurnment services with honors.

4. Funeral Honors & Military Ceremonies

Eligible veterans receive military funeral honors, including folding and presentation of the flag and the playing of “Taps.” These honors can be arranged for inurnment services or at the type of memorial celebration the family chooses  .

Though Going Home Cremations does not conduct memorial services ourselves, we assist families in coordinating these honors with local veteran groups or military honor programs.

5. Affordable Direct Cremation Options

Our $1395 Veteran Cremation Package includes everything from the simple cremation package—plus a free flag urn, and support completing VA forms  .

We ensure pricing is transparent with no hidden fees, and we manage all logistical steps—from paperwork to transporting ashes and arranging scattering or cemetery inurnment.

6. Why Choose Going Home Cremations in Tarpon Springs

  • 🕊️ 20+ years of local experience serving Tarpon Springs, Tampa, and St. Petersburg families
  • 🏛️ Expertise working with Pinellas County Medical Examiner and VA protocols
  • 💲 Clear pricing with veteran discounts and inclusions
  • 🌊 Ash scattering by sea near Tarpon Springs if the family prefers
  • 🇺🇸 Guidance on veteran benefits, headstones, flags, and memorial certificates

Every family receives individual support tailored to honor your loved one’s service while ensuring compliance with Florida laws and VA requirements.

Read More from Our Blog

Call to Action

If your veteran loved one recently passed in Tarpon Springs or the surrounding region, Going Home Cremations is here to support you. We’ll handle the cremation process with care, help secure all veteran honors, and support remembrance in a way that reflects your loved one’s service.

📞 Call us today at (727) 800-6819

🌐 Visit https://goinghomecremations.com to schedule a consultation or learn more.

Let us honor their service with the dignity they deserve.

Honoring Veterans on Memorial Day with Direct Cremation in Florida

05.29.2025

A Guide for Families in Tarpon Springs, Tampa, and Surrounding Areas

Memorial Day is a time to reflect on the service and sacrifice of the men and women who gave their lives for our country. For many families in Florida—especially in areas like Tarpon Springs, Tampa, and St. Petersburg—this holiday also brings personal remembrance of loved ones who served in the military and have recently passed.

At Going Home Cremations, we understand the importance of honoring veterans with dignity and respect, even within the simplicity of direct cremation. While direct cremation doesn’t include a traditional funeral or memorial service provided by the cremation facility, there are meaningful ways to celebrate a veteran’s legacy—especially on Memorial Day.

What Is Direct Cremation?

Direct cremation is a simple and affordable option in which a loved one is cremated shortly after passing, without embalming, viewing, or a service conducted by the cremation provider. It is an increasingly popular choice for families who prefer flexibility, privacy, and cost savings.

At Going Home Cremations, we specialize in direct cremation throughout Tarpon Springs, Tampa, and the surrounding areas. We are proud to help families honor veterans in a respectful and affordable way—especially during holidays like Memorial Day.

How Veterans Are Honored with Direct Cremation

Even though direct cremation providers like Going Home Cremations cannot provide memorial services, there are several important ways a veteran can still be honored:

  1. U.S. Flag for Veteran Cremations

When a veteran passes away and is being cremated, the family is entitled to receive a United States flag from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). This flag is typically draped over a casket for burial, but in the case of cremation, it may be folded and presented to the next of kin as a keepsake.

Going Home Cremations assists families in obtaining a burial flag through the VA. While we do not host services, we ensure veterans are acknowledged with the same dignity and respect they deserve.

To receive a burial flag, the next of kin must complete VA Form 27-2008 and provide a copy of the veteran’s discharge papers (DD-214). If you’re unsure where to begin, we can help guide you through this process.

  1. Veteran Status and Benefits in Florida

Families in Florida, including Tarpon Springs, Tampa, and St. Petersburg, should know that veterans are entitled to certain cremation-related benefits:

  • Eligibility for interment in a national or state veterans cemetery, including placement of cremated remains in a columbarium
  • Free burial space for veterans and sometimes spouses
  • Honorary certificates and military recognition

While Going Home Cremations does not handle cemetery arrangements, we can provide your loved one’s cremated remains in a suitable urn and help with the paperwork needed to arrange for burial or inurnment in a veterans cemetery.

  1. Scattering Ashes in Meaningful Locations

Some families choose to scatter their loved one’s ashes in a place that was meaningful to the veteran. In Tarpon Springs, we are located near scenic waterfront areas that may offer symbolic significance.

Going Home Cremations can assist with scattering ashes at sea, a peaceful option many families find healing. Although we do not provide formal ceremonies, we make it possible for families to privately commemorate their veteran in a personal and respectful way.

Memorial Day: A Time to Reflect and Plan

Memorial Day can also be a time when families begin thinking about what to do in the event of a future passing. While Going Home Cremations does not offer pre-need cremation services, we always recommend knowing which provider you plan to call when the time comes.

If your loved one is in hospice care or nearing the end of life, it’s helpful to have the name and contact information of your cremation provider ready. This ensures a smoother process when the time comes and gives peace of mind to everyone involved.

Why Families in Tarpon Springs and Tampa Trust Going Home Cremations

We’ve worked with families in Florida for over 20 years, helping them through one of life’s most difficult transitions. Our reputation is built on transparency, compassion, and efficiency. Here’s why more families choose Going Home Cremations:

  • We specialize in simple, dignified direct cremation
  • We offer transparent, upfront pricing—most of our direct cremations are significantly more affordable than the $2,000+ average
  • We’re highly experienced in working with Florida medical examiners in Tarpon Springs, Tampa, and St. Petersburg
  • We help with veteran documentation and flag requests
  • We can scatter ashes in approved locations in the Tarpon Springs area

Call to Action: Contact Going Home Cremations Today

If you’ve recently lost a veteran or want to be prepared in the event of a loss, Going Home Cremations is here to support you with affordable, respectful, and legal direct cremation services throughout Tarpon Springs, Tampa, and nearby areas.

Contact us today for compassionate care and help navigating veteran benefits:

Phone: 941-320-1179

Website: http://www.goinghomecremations.com

Office Location: We meet with families in our Tarpon Springs office to guide them through the process.

This Memorial Day, let us help you honor those who served with dignity, respect, and simplicity.

What is included in Veteran Cremation Benefits

12.16.2020

Veteran Cremation Benefits

It is important to understand the veteran burial benefits that are available to all US eligible veterans. It’s a complicated process to understand all the benefits and it is suggested to work with a cremation facility that is well versed in veteran cremation benefits.

veteran cremation in florida

It can sometimes be difficult to know who qualifies for veteran benefits. ID cards are issued for other military benefits.

Here is a list of basic qualifications:

  • Military members on active duty.
  • Members of the active (drilling) National Guard or Reserves.
  • Retired active-duty members. Active-duty members can retire after performing at least 20 years of active-duty service.
  • Retired National Guard and Reserve members who are receiving retired pay.
  • Veterans who have received the Medal of Honor.
  • Honorably discharged veterans who have been rated as 100 percent disabled by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) due to a service-related injury.
  • Dependents of those listed here. Dependents include a veteran’s spouse and children.

As a US veteran, there are many benefits that are given to deceased veterans. One of the hardest parts is figuring out how to get the burial benefits our veterans deserve. Some of the veteran benefits are explained below:

  1. Burial benefits available include a gravesite in any of 153 national cemeteries with available space, opening and closing of the grave, perpetual care.
  2. Government headstone or marker, a burial flag,and a Presidential Memorial Certificate.
  3. Some Veterans may also be eligible for burial allowance.
  4. Cremated remains are buried or inurned in national cemeteries in the same manner and with the same honors as casketed remains.
  5. Burial benefits available for spouses and dependents buried in a national cemetery include burial with the Veteran, perpetual care, and the spouse or dependent name and date of birth and death will be inscribed on the Veteran’s headstone, at no cost to the family. Eligible spouses and dependents may be buried, even if they predecease the Veteran.