Selecting a Burial Vault

This informative video from Wilbert explains the purpose of a burial vault.

Please feel free to call Northern Indiana Funeral Care at 1-877-382-2756 or visit our website at www.northernindianafuneralcare.com.

Know the Facts About Funeral Planning

Three important facts about planning a funeral in advance:

• The death of a loved one is a tragedy every household experiences.
• Most families will find themselves poorly prepared to deal with the problems, indecision, and costs a death forces on them.
• The decision to prearrange your funeral needs today is very economically sound, although the strongest reasons to prearrange are love and peace of mind.

Benefits of Prearrangement

Togetherness: A family can share their choices and decide together therefore saving loved ones heartache, expense and inconvenience at the time of death.

Price-Freezing: Based on the last five decades, we know the cost of cemetery and funeral arrangements will continue to increase. Prearrangement allows the costs to be frozen at today’s prices.

Payments: Funeral and cemetery costs are expenses every individual must plan to pay. These needs can be met today out of current income through budget payments. Payment at the time of death is traditionally made on a cash basis.

Peace of Mind: When a death occurs in any family or among friends, the grief is tremendous and the healing time very long. Prearrangement will have a positive impact of your family and friends simply because you have made your own decisions. This peace of mind provides benefits far beyond the dollars spent.

Call Northern Indiana Funeral Care at 877-382-2756 or visit our website to learn more about advance planning a funeral.

A Guide to Burial at Arlington National Cemetery

The persons specified below are eligible for ground burial in Arlington National Cemetery. The last period of active duty of former members of the Armed Forces must have ended honorably. Interment may be casketed or cremated remains.

a. Any active duty member of the Armed Forces (except those members serving on active duty for training only).
b. Any veteran who is retired from active military service with the Armed Forces.
c. Any veteran who is retired from the Reserves is eligible upon reaching age 60 and drawing retired pay; and who served a period of active duty (other than for training).
d. Any former member of the Armed Forces separated honorably prior to October 1, 1949 for medical reasons and who was rated at 30% or greater disabled effective on the day of discharge.
e. Any former member of the Armed Forces who has been awarded one of the following decorations:

1. Medal of Honor
2. Distinguished Service Cross (Navy Cross or Air Force Cross)
3. Distinguished Service Medal
4. Silver Star
5. Purple Heart

f. The President of the United States or any former President of the United States.
g. Any former member of the Armed Forces who served on active duty (other than for training) and who held any of the following positions:

1. An elective office of the U.S. Government
2. Office of the Chief Justice of the United States or of an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States.
3. An office listed, at the time the person held the position, in 5 USC 5312 or 5313 (Levels I and II of the Executive Schedule).
4. The chief of a mission who was at any time during his/her tenure classified in Class I under the provisions of Section 411, Act of 13 August 1946, 60 Stat. 1002, as amended (22 USC 866) or as listed in State Department memorandum dated March 21, 1988.

h. Any former prisoner of war who, while a prisoner of war, served honorably in the active military, naval, or air service, whose last period of military, naval or air service terminated honorably and who died on or after November 30, 1993.
i. The spouse, widow or widower, minor child, or permanently dependent child, and certain unmarried adult children of any of the above eligible veterans.
j. The widow or widower of:

1. a member of the Armed Forces who was lost or buried at sea or officially determined to be missing in action.
2. a member of the Armed Forces who is interred in a US military cemetery overseas that is maintained by the American Battle Monuments Commission.
3. a member of the Armed Forces who is interred in Arlington National Cemetery as part of a group burial.

k. The surviving spouse, minor child, or permanently dependent child of any person already buried in Arlington National Cemetery.
l. The parents of a minor child, or permanently dependent child whose remains, based on the eligibility of a parent, are already buried in ANC. A spouse divorced from the primary eligible, or widowed and remarried, is not eligible for interment.
m. Provided certain conditions are met, a former member of the Armed Forces may be buried in the same grave with a close relative who is already buried and is the primary eligible.

Contact Northern Indiana Funeral Care for more information about burial at Arlington National Cemetery and other Veterans burial benefits.

Church Funeral Plan

Ten years ago, funeral prices didn’t vary by more than a few hundred dollars from one funeral home to the next. Today, prices vary by thousands and commonly exceed $10,000. The simple Church Funeral Plan was created to renew old traditions and lower the high cost of funerals. Our complete plans begin at less than $5,000. We believe that a Christian funeral, like other major life events, should be held in the church. Call or email us today to find out how you can:

✔ Save 40 to 60% on funeral and cremation expenses.
✔ Avoid emotional overspending associated with making at need arrangements.
✔ Secure a complete cost guarantee.
✔ Options for affordable monthly installments or a single cash payment.

In these tough economic times, families are looking for options when pre-planning funeral arrangements. When Christians are dedicated, baptized, receive education in Sunday and Parochial School, married, and commit themselves to God’s service in the church, why should the final celebration of their life be in a funeral home? Many families are finding the church to be the appropriate place for this “final act” on earth. It helps to support the church financially, has adequate space with facilities for meals and receptions after the service, and people just feel more comfortable at church than in a lavish funeral home.

Making these arrangements in advance will protect your loved ones and save them the emotional and financial burden that comes with waiting until the last minute. You can’t imagine the stresses some folks face that have to make funeral and cemetery arrangements on the worst day of their lives. Peace of mind is priceless.

So stop procrastinating. Inflation also means the longer you let this go, the more you pay for this inevitable expense. Provide your loved ones the extra security they deserve.  Request a brochure or give us a call at 1-877-382-2756.

Honoring Veterans

A little something extra we do to honor a veteran is to fly an additional American flag and the appropriate armed forces flag at the entrance to the funeral home on the day of the visitation and funeral service.

We are committed to offering low cost funeral and cremation options without compromising service. Please contact our office at (877) 382-2756 or visit our website at www.northernindianafuneralcare.com.  You can also request a brochure.

History of Marion National Cemetery

In 1888, Colonel George W. Steele, Indiana’s congressional representative, successfully convinced his colleagues in Washington, D.C., of the need for a Soldier’s Home in Grant County. Subsequently, the 31-acre Marion Branch of the National Home opened in 1889 to provide shelter and comfort for the region’s veterans. Along with the home, a cemetery was established for the interment of the men who died there. The first burial occurred two years after the home opened in May 1890. For most of its history, the cemetery at the Marion Home has quietly and efficiently cared for the needs of the nation’s veterans with few significant changes.

In 1920, the home was renamed Marion Sanatorium and in 1930, administration of the home was transferred to the newly created Veterans Administration. Additional acreage was transferred from the Veterans Health Administration twice in the cemetery’s history. Six acres were added in 1974 and six more in 1988. As of 1973, with the passage of the National Cemetery Act, the cemetery became part of the National Cemetery system and its name was changed to Marion National Cemetery. As of 2004, over 8,000 men and women have been buried in Marion National Cemetery, including Medal of Honor recipients Henry Hyde, Nicholas Irwin and Jeremiah Kuder.

Marion National Cemetery was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1999. This cemetery has space available to accommodate casketed and cremated remains.

Northern Indiana Funeral Care is proud to conduct interment services at Marion National Cemetery.  Contact us at 1-877-382-2756 for more information or request a brochure.

Veterans Funeral and Burial Benefits

VA burial allowances are partial reimbursements of an eligible veteran’s burial and funeral costs. When the cause of death is not service-related, the reimbursements are generally described as two payments: (1) a burial (including cremation) and funeral expense allowance, and (2) a plot interment allowance.

Service-Related Death – VA will pay up to $2,000 toward burial expenses for deaths on or after September 11, 2001. VA will pay up to $1,500 for deaths prior to September 10, 2001. If the veteran is buried in a VA national cemetery, some or all of the cost of transporting the deceased may be reimbursed.

Nonservice-Related Death – VA will pay up to $300 toward burial and funeral expenses, and a $300 plot-interment allowance.

Veterans’ Benefit Act of 2010 Update: For deaths which occur after Oct. 1, 2011 the VA will pay up to $700 toward burial and funeral expenses, and a $700 plot-interment allowance.

Eligibility
You may be eligible for a VA burial allowance if:

• you paid for a veteran’s burial or funeral and
• you have not been reimbursed by another government agency or some other source, such as the deceased veteran’s employer and
• the veteran was discharged under conditions other than dishonorable.

In addition, at least one of the following conditions must be met:

• the veteran died because of a service-related disability or
• the veteran was receiving VA pension or compensation at the time of death or
• the veteran was entitled to receive VA pension or compensation, but decided not to reduce his/her military retirement or disability pay or
• the veteran died in a VA hospital, in a nursing home under VA contract, or while in an approved state nursing home.

Eight Benefits of Advance Planning

PEACE OF MIND: You provide written instructions for your funeral or cremation services and provide adequate funding which relieves you of the worry that your spouse or children will be burdened with facing difficult decisions. In many ways, it’s a final gift of love from you to your family.

DIGNITY AND CONTROL: You provide guidance assuring that your wishes are carried out with dignity and respect. Before your death, you retain the right to change to another Fort Wayne funeral home or any funeral and cremation provider in Northeast Indiana. These rights pass to your family after death occurs.

INFLATION-PROOF GUARANTEE: Northern Indiana Funeral Care guarantees in writing that your funeral service and merchandise costs, including caskets, vaults, and urns will be fully covered at the time of death. When funds are held in an irrevocable funeral insurance trust, all growth on your funeral plan is tax free. You will not receive a Federal 1099 form.

FREE, NO-OBLIGATION CONSULTATION: For veterans, we offer a program called Veterans Funeral Care that is exclusively provided by Northern Indiana Funeral Care of Fort Wayne. This program is exclusively endorsed by The American Legion, Department of Indiana. We have qualified pre-need advisors whose expertise is to guide you through the process of planning ahead. By preplanning, you have time to make thoughtful and better defined decisions. This avoids unnecessary expense.

SAFETY: Once your funds are secured in an irrevocable funeral agreement, no one can make any withdrawals. When your policy is established, the ONLY way that the funds will be released is with a signed copy of the funeral bill and a certified death certificate.

PROTECTION FROM MEDICAID SPEND-DOWN PROCEDURES: Unlike other investments (including the cash value of traditional life insurance) that you own, the dollars you place into a correctly structured funeral plan will not count as assets if you pursue Medicaid assistance. The full cost of your funeral or cremation can be protected using an irrevocable insurance trust.

NO PROBATE OR DELAY: When you use an irrevocably assigned insurance funeral trust to hold your dollars, the funds are immediately available to pay funeral costs. With your permission, the funds can even be paid directly to the funeral home that provides the funeral or cremation services.
Because every family’s situation is unique, certain restrictions and exemptions may apply.

NATIONAL CEMETERY: If you’re a veteran, proof of eligibility is required in order to secure burial in a National Cemetery. The closest available option is Marion National Cemetery. If you plan ahead it is much easier to obtain VA burial benefits such as; scheduling a burial, coordinating military honors, receiving the burial flag, burial allowance, and ordering a headstone or memorial by the time a death occurs.

Northern Indiana Funeral Care simplifies the planning of funeral and cremation services by providing complete packages that are easy to understand. We are the leader of inexpensive, low-cost services in Fort Wayne and all of Northeast Indiana. Contact us or visit our website at www.northerrnindianafuneralcare.com to find out what makes us different than other Fort Wayne funeral providers..

An Open Letter

An open letter to All American Legion, VFW, and Am Vets Post Leadership:

All of us have experienced the pain of losing comrades and friends who have served in the Armed Forces.  American Legion and VFW Posts throughout this nation experience an attrition of its membership as veterans pass away. Many post commanders have been faced with requests to assist families who have lost a loved one and cannot afford the high cost of cemetery and funeral arrangements.

Veterans Funeral Care reaches out to veterans of all branches of service who answered the call of duty during war or peacetime. The American Legion, Department of Indiana, exclusively endorses Veterans Funeral Care because of its commitment to promoting National and State Veterans Cemeteries, providing education on VA benefits, performing patriotic tributes, planning ahead for cemetery and funeral/cremation needs, while saving veterans thousands of dollars compared to other Fort Wayne funeral homes. This program lifts a burden from the family that will one day have to deal with this difficult issue. Given the country’s difficult economic situation this program is needed more than ever and stands ready to serve you.

Information packets have been created for distribution to veterans organizations in the following 9 counties: Adams, Allen, Dekalb, Huntington, Lagrange, Noble, Steuben, Wells, and Whitley. More packets are available for members and guests. Group presentations are offered to provide information and knowledge while also encouraging prospective membership.

Feel free to contact our office and schedule a group presentation or request a Veteran Burial Benefit packet. In no way are our services “cheap” or discounted. Northern Indiana Funeral Care is proud to offer veterans and their families in the greater Fort Wayne area and all of Northern Indiana complete funeral and cremation services that are inexpensive without compromising service. If you are looking for a low cost alternative to the typical funeral home, please contact our office at 1-877-382-2756.

Bryan Jenisch

Three Volleys

At military funerals, one often sees three volleys of shots fired in honor of the deceased veteran. This is often mistaken by the layman as a 21-gun salute, although it is entirely different. In the military, a “gun” is a large-caliber weapon. The three volleys are fired from “rifles,” not “guns.” Therefore, the three volleys isn’t any kind of “gun salute” at all.

Anyone who is entitled to a military funeral (generally anyone who dies on active duty, honorably discharged veterans, and military retirees) are entitled to the three rifle volleys, subject to availability of honor guard teams. This is not a 21-gun salute, nor any other type of “gun salute.” They are simply three rifle volleys fired. The firing team can consist of any number, but one usually sees a team of eight, with a noncommissioned officer in charge of the firing detail. Whether the team consists of three or eight, or ten, each member fires three times (three volleys).

The three volleys come from an old battlefield custom. The two warring sides would cease hostilities to clear their dead from the battlefield, and the firing of three volleys meant that the dead had been properly cared for and the side was ready to resume the battle.

The flag detail often slips three shell-casings into the folded flag before presenting the flag to the family. Each casing represents one volley.

This information is provided by Northern Indiana Funeral Care of Fort Wayne, a leader in funeral and cremation services to veterans in Northeast Indiana. Northern Indiana Funeral Care is a provider of Veterans Funeral Care and is honored to have the exclusive endorsement of The American Legion, Department of Indiana. We are committed to offering low cost funeral and cremation options without compromising service. Please contact our office at (877) 382-2756 or visit our website at www.northernindianafuneralcare.com.