Jeep Salutes Veterans

Veterans Benefits

Bryan Jenisch is the director of Veterans Funeral Care for Northeast Indiana including the Fort Wayne area. He is dedicated to making sure those in the veteran community understand that the government does an excellent job of providing veterans with burial benefits if they use a National or State Veterans Cemetery. Although additional benefits may be available to those who qualify, he finds most veterans and their families are unaware of the benefits they’re entitled to receive. He stresses that it’s important to note that the VA does not provide or pay for funeral and cremation arrangements as this is a common misconception.

Brian DeCamp, owner of Veterans Funeral Care, Northern Indiana Funeral Care, and Hite Funeral Home, recently announced the selection of his firm to be the exclusive Veterans Funeral Care provider for Allen County. Effective immediately, they join 100’s of licensed funeral providers across 48 states helping thousands of veterans take control of final arrangements by providing comprehensive savings, benefits, and planning services. VFC selects funeral homes to become benefit providers based on a history of uncompromised professional service and business practices, value pricing, community involvement and support of veterans.

Utilizing Veterans Funeral Care means you’ll obtain the lowest cost funeral and cremation services in the area and also receive a free wood and glass flag case. Whether you choose a simple or uniquely personalized cremation or funeral arrangement, Veterans Funeral Care promises that all services are performed in accordance with the highest level of ethical standards and procedures.

Trusting Veterans Funeral Care with your final arrangements is a gift that will ease the burden of decision making and provide peace of mind. By planning ahead you ensure your service is carried out according to your wishes along with receiving the special pricing exclusively available to VFC members. Northern Indiana Funeral Care is the provider of Veterans Funeral Care and achieved recognition as the leading provider of low cost funerals and cremation in Northern Indiana.  This program is open to veterans and their spouses as well as parents and adult children. To learn more call fellow veteran Bryan Jenisch at 260-413-8887 or visit http://www.northernindianafuneralcare.com for additional information.

Talk Not Accompanied by Action is Worthless

You’ve heard the phrase “talk is cheap”. The only thing cheaper is talk in the form of propaganda. In a business transaction it’s best to proceed the way Reagan did with our old adversaries in the Soviet Union which was “trust but verify”. Northern Indiana Funeral Care, the exclusive provider of Veterans Funeral Care in Northeast Indiana, is always willing to be scrutinized to any degree on the claim it makes to be the premier provider of funeral and cremation services for veterans and their families. They provide unequaled services for veterans and can back it up. Please don’t confuse that for arrogance because it’s a simple fact.  Feel free to test them. They recently had a phone call that brings into focus why Veterans Funeral Care was created to begin with and the phone call brought forth what they see over and over, family members of veterans rarely know about the many burial benefits available from the Veterans Administration (VA).

Bryan Jenisch, the local representative of Veterans Funeral Care, recently related a story to me about a lady who called regarding an obituary she was reading in the Fort Wayne Journal Gazette. The caller asked if he knew what high school the deceased attended because she was organizing a reunion.

She said she had never heard about his organization so he proceeded to tell her about Veterans Funeral Care and what makes them different. “I was explaining about the cost savings and how we promote having funeral services in churches instead of funeral homes and she said “well, wouldn’t most people prefer to have it in the church?” She then stated a good friend’s husband died a few weeks ago and it was $20,000 at a local funeral home. Bryan continued talking with her and telling her about Veterans Funeral Care and all the services they provide and how they truly cater to veterans. When the caller’s husband died a few years ago the same local funeral home told her that it was “too cold out to conduct military honors” to which Bryan’s reaction was “that’s simply unacceptable”. He then began to explain to her how Veterans Funeral Care files for all eligible VA burial benefits such as the burial or cremation allowance and the plot allowance and again she said “I never knew there was such a thing”.

Once again the usual suspects say they serve veterans but fail miserably in honoring that commitment. Like the people in Missouri say, “show me”. Actions are always louder than words. Being willing to back up what you say because, again, talk is cheap.

Northern Indiana Funeral Care has rapidly become the leader of cremation and funeral services for the Fort Wayne area. They encourage you to call with questions and fully investigate why they’re the ones more and more veterans are choosing

Early Payoff Plan

Northern Indiana Funeral Care utilizes Unity Financial Life Insurance Company as their preneed funding partner.  We are continuing the series of blog posts that focus on the details of funding funeral plans in advance.  A feature that often creates confusion is the early payoff option.  The following is a series of questions and answers that hopefully will help give a better understanding of the product and the benefits it provides:

Q.  What is an Early Payoff Plan?
A.  The Unity Financial Early Payoff Plan is a way to satisfy the remaining payments due on a policy before the end of the scheduled payment period.

Q.  What are the benefits?
A.  Paying off a policy early lowers the overall cost of protection.  In addition, once the policy has been paid off, there is no need to worry about making any further payments in connection with your policy.

Q.  Who can take advantage of this plan?
A.  Unity Financials Early Payoff Plan is available for any 5, 7, or 10-pay policy that is less than 18 months old, and for any 3-pay policy that is less than one year old.

Q.  How is the early payoff amount calculated?
A.  It’s easy.  First, add together all the premiums that have been paid for our policy to date.  Then subtract that amount from the original face amount that appears in the policy.  Unity Financial charges no fee for this option.

Q.  Is there any paperwork to complete?
A.  Once the payoff amount has been calculated; simply send a check for the payoff amount to the office of Northern Indiana Funeral Care of Fort Wayne.  If you have questions or need to find out the payoff amount contact the advance planning counselor who originally helped you plan.  They can verify your policy number and will also make a note of your conversation so the payment can be identified when you send it in.

Q.  Does this affect my funeral or cremation pre-arrangements?
A.  Funeral or cremations plans are between the family and the Funeral Director and will not change as a result of this plan.

Q.  How will I know when the transaction has been completed?
A.  Once all processing has taken place, a paid up certificate will be mailed as proof that Unity Financials Early Payoff Plan has been exercised and that no further premiums are due.

Call us today at 877-382-2756 for more information about how you can pre-arrange and fund your funeral while saving money and relieving stress for your family.  You can also request a free brochure here.

Without Comparison

This message is directed to all honorably discharged veterans in the Fort Wayne area and all of Northern Indiana: as a veteran there was a time when you recited a solemn oath to serve your country. Whether you served in war or peacetime, you may be eligible for recognition of your service by the provision of VA burial benefits. Each year thousands of U.S. Veterans and their spouses lose valuable benefits worth hundreds, even thousands of dollars of which they may be entitled. This loss can be avoided by planning ahead.

The VA maintains eligibility requirements in order to qualify for burial benefits. Many of these benefits exist for eligible veterans and their spouses. It is important that you have the most current information and know what you are eligible to receive. Planning ahead is a gift of love to your family that protects them from the emotional and financial problems of waiting until the last minute. The value and credibility of this program has been noted by The American Legion, Department of Indiana, who exclusively endorses Veterans Funeral Care for all its members and veterans. Veterans Funeral Care packages and prices are also available to the Sons of the American Legion as well as the Women’s Auxiliary.

Veterans Funeral Care specializes in providing important information that assures veterans are informed of all options when planning funeral or cremation services. If you request information from us you will be promptly assisted in determining your eligibility for benefits, how to obtain them, and important details about planning ahead. Whether you choose a traditional funeral a just a simple cremation, the burden of having to take care of this obligation should not be left to the people you love the most on one of the worst days of their lives. Remember, peace of mind is priceless. Every veteran should know and answer the questions below. In addition, veterans should document and have on file, both at home and with Veterans Funeral Care, the following information:

1. What was your branch of service?

2. How many years of active duty did you serve?

3. Did you retire from the Reserve or National Guard?

4. During what era did you serve?

5. What kind of Discharge did you receive?

6. Do you receive compensation for a service-connected disability?
If yes, what percent? ______%

7. Spouses of eligible veterans may also be entitled to specific burial benefits. Do you have a spouse?

8. Are you fully aware of your current VA burial benefits?

9. Do you have a copy of your DD214 discharge paper or certificate of eligibility? This document is required in order to receive any benefits from the Veterans Administration. If you would like assistance in obtaining this document please click on this link.

10. Have you established an official record that includes your funeral wishes?

If you have questions or are uncertain about your eligibility status, please contact Bryan Jenisch, the local representative with Veterans Funeral Care, for current VA burial benefit information along with information about guaranteed veterans funeral or cremation planning.

We’re often asked how we’re able to provide excellent services at such inexpensive prices. The answer lies in our recognition that more people are looking for simple, low cost cremation or funeral options, and are not willing to pay what most funeral homes continue to charge. Consumers today generally fall into 2 camps- they either have the money but don’t want to spend $10,000 to $12,000 on funerals or they just don’t have the money.

Northern Indiana Funeral Care of Fort Wayne maintains low overhead and is therefore able to provide inexpensive prices, with no compromising of the services we provide. Without cost or obligation, we would be honored to have the opportunity to discuss our program with you. You will never feel pressured or manipulated into buying something you don’t want or don’t need. Compare what we offer to other funeral homes in Fort Wayne and you’ll find a stark contrast, not just in costs but also in the approach we have to funeral service. Please call 877-382-2756 or visit www.NorthernIndianaFuneralCare.com to request more information. Thanks for serving our country!

The Importance of Advance Planning

People first began to plan ahead for funeral or cremation needs in significant numbers back in the mid-to-late 1970’s.  What was most common at that time was for someone to go with the funeral director to a local bank and set-up a trust account.  The problem with this was the tax implications on the growth of the money (it’s designed to keep pace with inflation) as well as easily being able to transfer the arrangements if moving.  By the mid-80’s funeral homes recognized the superiority of an insurance-funded funeral trust which eliminated any tax implications and also made transferability quite simple.

The concept of making cremation or funeral plans in advance is today widely recognized as something everyone should do something about, even if it’s just making decisions so your family doesn’t have to.

You see the purpose of planning ahead is to make the time of your death, at least as much as possible, easier on your loved ones. This requires you to address three basic areas:

1. Providing information to the funeral home of your choice.
2. Making as many decisions as possible.
3. Determining how your funeral (or cremation) expenses will be funded.

At the time of a death every funeral director needs information such as:

• A legal name, address, birth date, birth place, Social Security #, marital status, military record, occupation, education level, fathers name, mother’s maiden name, etc.
• Additional details you may want included in the newspaper. It’s becoming more and more common for someone to write their own obituary.
• Separation papers (In many cases referred to as a DD214) will be required in order to receive any eligible VA benefits.

There are typically 8 major decisions that must be made and paid for prior to a service:

1. Method of disposition. Do you want traditional or cremation?
2. What cemetery would you like to go to?
3. There are different types of cemetery property–above ground in a mausoleum (some cemeteries offer both inside and outside arrangements), ground burial, lawn crypts, columbarium (various niche options include inside and outside arrangements, granite, marble, or bronze fronts, memorial benches, birdbaths, and a few others.)
4. Most cemeteries require you to purchase a Vault. Few people understand that a vault is a cemetery requirement for maintenance.  A vault maintains the integrity of the burial site because if you dumped 2 tons of earth on top of a casket it would crush it, the grave would sink, and require continual backfilling.  There are 2 types of vaults, protective and non-protective.  One is designed to keep out the elements of the earth and the other isn’t.
5. What type of headstone, memorial, or marker would you like to have? You’ll find the options are numerous and include various features like ones that are flush to the ground with bronze on granite or granite only.  Do you think you would want an upright monument instead? If so, what color and what size?
6. There are literally hundreds of choices when it comes to caskets – metal (protective or non-protective) or wood?  They even make bio-degradable wicker caskets for those who are so inclined!  Many people are choosing personalized caskets and urns so you’re only limited by your imagination.
7. Where and how will the services take place? Do you want traditional funeral or a traditional funeral followed by cremation?  Would this take place over 2 days with a day of visitation followed the next day by the funeral service?  Would you like to have the visitation and service take place the same day as more people seem to be doing?  If cremation, do you want to forego the closure that many people feel is emotionally beneficial and have a memorial service?  If you do this keep in mind that a private viewing is still possible for the immediate family (with no embalming this must happen quickly for obvious reasons).  Would your cremated remains be present at the service?  If so, you would need to purchase an urn.  Would this be done through the funeral home or provided by the family?
8. Lastly, how much money should be spent on all of this and who will be responsible for taking care of the financial obligation with the funeral provider?

I’m going to break this blog into 2 parts and continue the description of the craziness many people face when these issues are put-off to the last minute and families are scrambling to figure out what to do.  My sincere encouragement is for everyone to give this matter the seriousness it deserves and protect your family by getting your affairs in order (read 2 Kings 20:1).

Lest anyone think that we feel we’re superior or better than other Fort Wayne area funeral homes, I assure you we’re not although we are extremely passionate and know we provide our services with excellence; ours is simply a different approach which allows us to charge thousands less than our competitors.  There will be some that try to run-down our firm by saying we offer “discount cremations” or “discount funerals” however we don’t offer any discounts and nothing we do could remotely be described as cheap.  We recognize that a sizable percentage of the population (I believe in large part because of the current state of the economy) are really wanting a return to a more simple and straightforward way of doing business and our industry (the death-care business) is no different.

We would like to provide you more information about a low-cost, inexpensive way to take care of planning for the last event you’ll have on this earth.  Northern Indiana Funeral Care of Fort Wayne has the privilege of providing Veterans Funeral Care which has an exclusive endorsement from The American Legion, Department of Indiana.  This is a program that all veterans in Northeast Indiana should take advantage of or at least tell their friends about.  If would like to learn more about advance planning with Northern Indiana Funeral Care call us toll-free at 1-877-328-2756 or visit www.NorthernIndianaFuneralCare.com.

That which has been is now, and that which is to be has already been.

Northern Indiana Funeral Care, the leader of low-cost funeral and cremation services in Fort Wayne, promotes the idea of a return to old and sensible traditions. We know many families are seeking simple, dignified services but not wanting to pay exorbitant prices charged by the large, corporate-owned funeral homes. Because we don’t maintain a large fleet of luxury vehicles or build lavish facilities all over the Fort Wayne area, we’re able to provide savings of 40% or more, all without compromising the quality of service you expect. Northern Indiana Funeral Care is the fastest growing funeral and cremation service company in Northeast Indiana and we appreciate your interest in us. It can be fascinating how things change. The following is a picture of what funeral service was like a century ago in Indiana. Although we’re not suggesting a return to exactly the way it was, the “spirit” of this story is what we have recaptured.

A hundred years ago, men (sorry ladies, there were only rare exceptions) who wanted to care for the dead would enroll in Schools of Embalming, typically graduating after a six or eight week course. During those years, the customs and procedures of caring for those who had died were quite different than today’s methods. When there was a death in the family it typically happened at home. Since telephones were rare, a relative would travel directly to the funeral director’s (in those day’s they were called undertakers) office notifying him of their families loss. The mortician would gather his equipment in his vehicle, travel to the home, and begin the many services for those surviving. First, he would have to attend to the embalming of the deceased. This was typically done by setting up his “portable” embalming table in the kitchen of the home. Many times, the loved ones of the deceased would watch the entire procedure. How times have changed!

After the embalming, he would then begin the arrangements for the service. Most times, the family would opt for at least two days of visitation (wake) in their family parlor, followed by the funeral service being conducted at their home or the remains being transferred to a place of worship.

Once the arrangements were decided, the funeral director would arrange to receive the casket, usually a Solid Hardwood from places like The National Casket Company of Indianapolis or Hutton Casket Company of Richmond, Indiana. In most cases the casket was shipped on the Interurban Transit System. After receiving the casket, the funeral director would then proceed back to the home for the dressing, cosmetics, and placement of the deceased in the casket.

After the visitation was completed, the funeral service would be conducted either at the home or the church with burial usually taking place at a church cemetery or the nearest national cemetery if they were a veteran.

These practices continued until 1933. That year, the State Of Indiana passed a law prohibiting the practice of embalming in any place other than an authorized and licensed embalming room. This change was the first event in the transformation of services that up until that time were centered at the home and church. It began the process of having the families come to the funeral facility which led funeral directors to add chapel facilities, coffee lounges, casket selection rooms, parking lots and other overhead such as “rolling stock” and casket inventory. With these enormous capital investments, prices of funerals increased substantially and the transformation of the funeral director going to the family to the family coming to the funeral director was complete.

Today, we have lavish funeral homes built with catering facilities, cremation centers as well as cremation gardens, scattering gardens and prayer facilities. These elaborate funeral centers have driven the cost of funerals to an average of $10,000 per person not counting any of the cemetery costs. We don’t believe this is necessary to provide a respectful and dignified way of celebrating a life of a loved one. When you think about it, as a society, we have taken areas of our lives and the services that often come with them and magnified these events to a point that costs have exceeded the “pocket book”. Higher education and weddings are just two things that come to mind. We find more and more people are looking for another way to have funeral, cremation, and cemetery needs met, both emotionally and financially, at a price they can afford.

We don’t claim to be any better than other Fort Wayne Funeral Homes, just different. By taking the facility out of the equation, it hearkens back to another time and we’re finding many people are pleased to have that option. We provide very respectful, simple services in the family church, or if a veteran, his or her local American Legion, VFW, or Am Vets Post. We have also recently conducted services at places like the Navy Club in Fort Wayne, the VA chapel, gazebos in parks, and also had a beautiful service at the Marriott Hotel in Fort Wayne. By using existing facilities, we can provide a service with a casket that many times is less than half of what a funeral would cost using a typical funeral home in Fort Wayne.

Northern Indiana Funeral Care is a branch location of Hite Funeral Home in Kendallville (Noble County) Indiana. Hite Funeral Home has been in business since the 1940′s. In the past, if it’s owner, Brian DeCamp, wanted to serve the Allen County area, he would have to build a facility comparable to other funeral providers in Allen County and offer his services at a cost comparable to the other providers. By keeping his facility costs and overhead low in Fort Wayne, along with only having to maintain an arrangement office, Northern Indiana Funeral Care is able to save families thousands of dollars.

Is this approach the best for everybody? Like anything it’s probably not. Some families want the added facilities and offerings. However, for those families who are interested in a simple, respectful celebration of life, we have the solution. Also, we are proud to be exclusively endorsed by The American Legion, Department of Indiana. We provide veterans unmatched services by this same approach through our Veterans Funeral Care Program. We are hopeful this gives you a basic understanding of what we offer and believe it’s the future of funeral service for a growing number of people.

Veterans Helping Veterans

Northern Indiana Funeral Care of Fort Wayne began operations in 2010 and is quickly becoming the leader of providing low cost funeral and cremation services with an emphasis on the veteran population. Bryan Jenisch is the Veterans Funeral Care representative for Northern Indiana Funeral Care and spends long hours ensuring veterans and their families receive all VA benefits related to cemetery, funeral, and cremation needs. The story he relates below is just one reason why Veterans Funeral Care has enjoyed the exclusive endorsement of The American Legion, Department of Indiana, since 2006.

He says “I had an elderly lady call me two weeks after her husband had died. Her kids were over at her house trying to help keep the utilities from being shut off.” This veteran’s widow had seen an ad by Veterans Funeral Care that had been placed in the Fort Wayne Journal Gazette some time ago and filed it away for future reference. However, on the day her husband died she couldn’t find the ad so she called another local Fort Wayne funeral home. As she explained it “I had to end up borrowing money from several family members to lay my husband (a WW II vet) to rest because it was so expensive. They didn’t even ask about military honors. There was no rifle salute, taps, or even folding the flag and giving it to me.”

Now she is being told by a representative of a local cemetery in Fort Wayne that she has to buy a $2000 head stone and that her husband is not entitled to one from the VA. Two weeks after her husband died she found the newspaper ad and contacted Mr. Jenisch. He explained to her that she is entitled to receive a memorial through the Veterans Administration as long as his discharge was anything other than dishonorable. She said she was sure her husband had served with distinction so they are currently in the process of filing the necessary paperwork to secure a copy of her husband’s discharge papers (form DD 214). This document will allow her to file a claim with the VA for the marker and also the Presidential Memorial Certificate. She expressed to Mr. Jenisch “I’m relieved but still upset that my husband did not receive military honors. Unfortunately it can’t be done over.” Mr. Jenisch, having served 21 years in the United States Military, stated simply “without question, the way this lady was treated is a disgrace and totally unacceptable.”

Through much experience Veterans Funeral Care finds that only a small number of veterans are fully aware of VA benefits while spouses and other family members are usually in the dark, too. They don’t know what options are available and when the veteran dies they have no idea what to do.

Mr. Jenisch says he continues to hear a lot of myths. “It concerns me that these benefits have never been claimed by a family who’s entitled to them for the simple reason of not knowing they existed. In many cases these benefits total into the thousands of dollars.”

The people who work for Veterans Funeral Care are passionate about making sure veterans AND THEIR FAMILIES are aware of all the benefits available through the VA related to cemetery, funeral, or cremation needs. They focus on not only educating veterans, but more importantly how they can apply or help to apply for these benefits so families don’t fall victim to erroneous or fraudulent information.

It makes you wonder what would motivate those in the funeral and cemetery business to sink to such depths. Greed? Laziness? Ignorance? Most likely it’s a combination of desiring greater profits combined with a lack of commitment to their chosen work. Whatever the reason it’s important when planning for these needs that you know who you’re dealing with. You should ask to meet the owner and spend time figuring out who they are and the standards they uphold. Ask questions like “How long have you been a funeral director in this area?” and “What’s the most important thing you can tell me about how you conduct business?” and “What’s your commitment to veterans?” Make sure the pricing is easy to understand and fully explained because you should never feel confused or unsure when making funeral or cremation arrangements.

Northern Indiana Funeral Care of Fort Wayne is committed to providing inexpensive, not cheap, funeral and cremation services to families in all Northern Indiana. They love serving veterans and consider it an honor when given this sacred trust. The savings are usually 40% or more on the prices of funerals (including caskets) and cremations (including urns) compared to other Fort Wayne funeral homes. As the exclusive provider of Veterans Funeral Care in Northeast Indiana we also actively encourage and promote the use of National and State Veterans Cemeteries. If you would like to learn more about this program please visit their website at www.northernindianafuneralcare.com or email vfccounselor@yahoo.com. If you would like to speak to Bryan Jenisch he can be reached toll-free at 877-382-2756. Phones are answered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Veterans Funeral Care through Northern Indiana Funeral Care serves the following Indiana counties: Adams, Allen, Dekalb, Huntington, Lagrange, Noble, Steuben, Wells, and Whitley.

Caveat Emptor

It’s often been said that cemetery property is worth only what someone is willing to pay for it. Beauty is truly in the eye of the beholder. There’s no question that you couldn’t give grave sites to some people. The focus of this blog is to explain some of the differences between a privately operated cemetery and a National Cemetery.

Veterans Funeral Care is a program offered by Northern Indiana Funeral Care which is based in Fort Wayne. One of the major tenants of Veterans Funeral Care is the commitment to actively promote, even encourage, the use of National Cemeteries for qualified veterans. It’s our belief that burial in a national cemetery (or a state veterans’ cemetery) is a privilege, indeed an honor, for those who served our country as a member of the armed forces. I have found the mistaken idea among veterans that this option is for the indigent or veterans who otherwise have little means. This could not be further from the truth.

Marion National Cemetery

Marion National Cemetery is impeccably maintained and the staff rivals any commercial cemetery in the country. Their approach to serving veterans provides a remarkable experience and the grounds of the cemetery are quite beautiful. It has various features that have been erected through the years and provides veterans an appropriate place to be laid to rest. The most important thing to understand, however, is that national cemeteries are maintained for perpetuity as national shrines. All of this is provided at no charge to veterans and their dependents. I’ve personally never been to a commercial cemetery that I thought was any better than a national cemetery. At any rate, veterans on every spectrum of the economic ladder are learning more and more about the benefits, whether choosing cremation or a traditional funeral, of utilizing a national cemetery.

By contrast, many cemeteries are operated by huge, out of state corporate conglomerates. This is true in Fort Wayne where these same companies also operate funeral homes in the same market. The reason that the funeral director won’t tell a veteran about national cemetery benefits is because they want to sell grave spaces, opening and closing (O and C), burial vaults, and markers or monuments. In some cases funeral directors are paid a bonus based on sales to families who are making at need arrangements. In other cases, they just assume that you wouldn’t want to be buried in a national cemetery because it’s not located in Allen County. It also creates more work having to coordinate military honors and travel to Grant County for burial. These funeral homes have no motivation to make sure veterans understand the VA benefits related to funeral, cremation, or burial expenses.

Finally, the cost of burial in a private cemetery is substantial. For a husband and wife, burial sites typically cost between $1,000 to $2,000 with opening and closing costs running between $600 and $1,000. Burial containers or vaults cost between $800 and $2,000 and you can spend whatever you want on a memorial, marker, or monument but with a cheap, flat granite marker plus tax and installation you’ll spend at least $800. If you just take the average of these items you’re at $8,800 and that’s before you ever get to the funeral home! Even if you find a low cost casket and add that to the typical funeral home services charge you’re looking at $20,000 to $25,000 in total cemetery and funeral expenses! Compare this to a national cemetery where THERE IS NO COST AT ALL. THAT’S AN $8,000 to $12,000 BENEFIT FOR A HUSBAND AND WIFE at the cemetery alone! Add to that the fact that our funeral plans typically save veterans 40% or more means thousands more in savings.

I’m continually surprised at the number of veterans in Northeast Indiana who have no idea this benefit is available to them. Our mission is to make sure that ALL veterans in the following counties know and understand this valuable benefit: Adams, Allen, Dekalb, Huntington, Lagrange, Noble, Steuben, Wells, and Whitley.. I encourage veterans who already have burial spaces to let fellow veterans know about this benefit. We’re finding that the consumer is seeking a more simple and straightforward approach to funeral and cremation services. Our desire is to be a leader in providing inexpensive services, all provided with the utmost of respect and concern. We encourage families to get all the facts when they are considering planning ahead for these needs. You’ll find our Veterans Funeral Plans on our website which give a complete description of what we offer. Feel free to request a brochure, email vfccounselor@yahoo.com, or even call 877-382-2756 with questions you may have. Thanks for taking the time to read this and I hope it was informative.

Semper Fidelis

In his earlier life, Bryan Jenisch dedicated himself to serving his country as a Marine; he now serves fellow veterans and their families at one of life’s most difficult times. Veterans Funeral Care has given him a platform to help veterans plan ahead when making cemetery, funeral, or cremation arrangements. He recently commented that after delivering the cremated remains of a fallen Marine to a family that it was “not my duty to do so, but my honor, for you should always find a Marine taking care of his own in all capacities.” The following is the Marines prayer which beautifully expresses this sentiment:

Almighty Father, whose command is over all and whose love never fails, make me aware of Thy presence and obedient to Thy will. Keep me true to my best self, guarding me against dishonesty in purpose and deed and helping me to live so that I can face my fellow Marines, my loved ones, and Thee without shame or fear. Protect my family.

Give me the will to do the work of a Marine and to accept my share of responsibilities with vigor and enthusiasm. Grant me the courage to be proficient in my daily performance. Keep me loyal and faithful to my superiors and to the duties my Country and the Marine Corps have entrusted to me. Help me to wear my uniform with dignity, and let it remind me daily of the traditions which I must uphold.

If I am inclined to doubt, steady my faith; if I am tempted, make me strong to resist; if I should miss the mark, give me courage to try again.

Guide me with the light of truth and grant me wisdom by which I may understand the answer to my prayer.

SEMPER FI

If you’re considering utilizing the services of Veterans Funeral Care, please don’t be mistaken and think we offer cheap or discount services. Our funeral directors are as dedicated and capable as any at other Fort Wayne funeral homes. By keeping overhead low, we provide an exceptional experience, all without compromising service.  Northern Indiana Funeral Care is a leader in providing inexpensive funeral and cremation options.  We are also a provider of Veterans Funeral Care which is exclusively endorsed by The American Legion, Department of Indiana.