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.

Give your family the gift of love

The death of a loved one is a reality every family must face. If you have been involved with making funeral or cremation arrangements then you are well aware of the high cost of caskets, urns and cemetery property, not to mention the details and many emotional decisions that must be made. Simple steps can be taken to minimize this burden on the people you love.

The Veterans Funeral Plan was created to save your family unnecessary stress, grief, and money, and includes assistance obtaining VA Benefits paid directly to your family. Whether you served in war or peacetime, these benefits are available to all eligible veterans, spouses and their dependents at no cost.

Act now and request a brochure that provides important information on how you can save hundreds, even thousands on funeral or cremation services. In current economic conditions, these low cost, inexpensive plans stretch dimes into dollars which helps all veterans and their families. Northern Indiana Funeral Care is the exclusive provider of Veterans Funeral Care for Fort Wayne and all of Northeast Indiana. This program is exclusively endorsed by The American Legion, Department of Indiana. Give your family the gift of love – plan ahead and enroll today!

Military Caskets from The Jonathan Field Collection

These Military Uniform Caskets are made available for all of the Branches of Service: Marine Corps, Navy Chief Petty Officer and Petty Officer, Army, Air Force, Coast Guard, for Men and Women, Officers and Enlisted. They are offered in the categories of: Class “A” and a casket for the Veteran’s Wife. The exterior is a 18 gauge steel sealer casket with a Memorial Tube, and painted the exact colors of the Dress Blue uniform, or the uniform of choice. The pin-stripping replicates the uniform trim, red of the Marine Corps, gold leaf is used for the Army, Navy, and Coast Guard, with the Air Force having silver leaf. Also, custom made 1/4” brass American Flag and Motto Plate, and Cover Emblems on each of the handles, with a brass Star attached on each side which represents the other four branches of service. The 5’X9.5’ American Flag that drapes the casket is provided by the Veterans Administration.

The interior is completely lined using the Uniform Fabric, as well as the Trim, Cover Emblems, Coat and Pocket Buttons. The mattress is covered using the trouser fabric, with the trouser stripe (Marine Corps the “Blood Stripe”) sewn down the middle. Included with the purchase of a Class “A” casket are all of the following items:

1. Cover & Gloves.

2. Branch of Service Sword with an Officers Sword Mourning Knot attached to the handle.

3. Ceremonial Belt and Buckle.

4. Embroidered Branch of Service Emblem inside the open lid.

5.Branch of Service 3’x5’ Flag with Fringe is used for a blanket, as most Veterans have stated that they “…would like to go down wrapped in my colors…”.

6. Register Book is made of the uniform coat fabric and trim, buttons, and a cover emblem. The corner is cut with the Good Conduct Ribbon for at-need, or a ribbon of choice, such as a Silver Star, for pre-need.

7. Flag Bag is made of the uniform coat fabric and trim, button, cover emblem, with the corner cut with the Good Conduct Ribbon for at-need, or a ribbon of choice for pre-need. The Branch of Service is embroidered in gold metallic thread, or silver for the Air Force.

An American Defense and Honorable Service Commemorative Ribbons are included with an Honorable Discharge or a Service Lapel Pin. Three M-1 Rifle spent cartridge shells are added and in a velvet bag which is to be placed in the fold of the American Flag at the grave side ceremony. Each cartridge represents one of the three volleys of a 21-gun salute, as this tradition dates back to World War One. An authentic notched dog tag is attached to the zipper clasp and stamped as was issued for pre-need, or left blank to be engraved for at-need.

8. Honorable Service Display (Saddle Blanket) is a testimonial of Honest and Faithful Service is made of the uniform coat fabric and trim, button, cover emblem, with the corner cut with the Good Conduct Ribbon for at-need, or a ribbon of choice for pre-need. The Branch of Service is embroidered in gold metallic thread, silver for the Air Force.

Displayed are American Defense and Honorable Service Commemorative Medals, and a engraveable gold Medallion “In Appreciation of Excellence” for the Veteran’s service, silver for the Air Force. Plus, a Honorable Discharge/Service Pin. The Display items can be discarded and replaced with the Veterans’ own Ribbons, Medals, Insignias, and other Devices if the Veteran is not in uniform, or wishes not to wear them.

9. Pallbeares’ Kit consists of six pair of White Gripper Gloves, Officer Sword Mourning Knots, which are used as arm bands, and Branch of Service Lapel Pins. This Kit can also be used for Family members, or given to close Friends and Relatives to show respect to the deceased Veteran.

10. A Branch of Service Lapel Pin encased in a plush-lined leatherette jewelry box for the Widow or Next-of-Kin to wear to honor the memory of the Veterans’ passing.

11. Notched Dog Tag is attached to the handle of the casket stamped as was issued for pre-need, or blank which can be engraved at time of need. This is used as a casket identification tag.

12.Certificate of Authenticity

13. Sympathy Card

14. Package of Poppy Seeds is included for grave site planting or a Veterans Memorial at home in the garden.

15. $25.00 Donation to the Veterans’ organization contributed by The Jonathan Field Collection in the name of the Veteran.

Please feel free to call fellow veterans Bryan Jenisch or Alan Parr at Northern Indiana Funeral Care to learn more about this program. They can be reached toll free at 877-382-2756 or you can also visit their website at www.northernindianafuneralcare.com.

Militay Honors

Military Funeral Honors include flag folding, flag presentation and taps. The funeral directors at Northern Indiana Funeral Care will arrange a meaningful service for those who have honorably and faithfully served our country. One of the highlights of military funeral honors is the flag folding ceremony, a must for honoring a service veteran, conducted by local active duty troops.

We would be honored to answer any questions you may have. Please call us at 877-382-2756 or visit our website at www.northernindianafuneralcare.com. You may also contact the Department of Veteran’s Affairs at (800) 827-1000 or visit their website at www.cem.va.gov.

A Special Funeral for Veteran Heroes

This unique funeral procession, with a horse drawn caisson, is pulling into a local country cemetery with with the flag draped casket of a WWII veteran. This service was organized and conducted by Northern Indiana Funeral Care, a Veterans Funeral Care provider in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Active duty troops are saluting as the caisson passes by.

Northern Indiana Funeral Care and Veterans Funeral Care of Fort Wayne, Indiana is a proud supporter of our local American Legion and VFW posts. We are THE ONLY funeral service provider that has an EXCLUSIVE ENDORSEMENT of the American Legion, Department of Indiana. Through the years, we have established both meaningful professional and personal relationships with our local service organizations. Our funeral directors are committed to and experienced in arranging both very simple military honors to unique and high profile, personalized military funerals in the time frame your family needs. We have been given the honor of conducting the service to honor the life of a fallen, active duty soldier of the Afghanistan and Iraq Wars.

Northern Indiana Funeral Care is honored to be a Veterans Funeral Care provider in Indiana and is becoming the preferred choice among veterans in northern Indiana. Our funeral directors are well versed in the required veteran paperwork and forms and will work with veteran’s families to make 100% sure due benefits are applied for and received.