Veterans Funeral Services in Kansas City, MO & KS
Kansas City has a proud military heritage, and the metro area is home to tens of thousands of veterans from all branches of service. When a veteran passes away, their family is entitled to specific benefits and honors that recognize their service to our country. From military funeral honors and flag presentations to VA burial allowances and national cemetery options, there are numerous resources available to ensure your loved one receives the dignified farewell they earned. Navigating VA benefits and military funeral protocols can be complex, but Kansas City's funeral homes and veterans service organizations are experienced in helping families access every benefit available to them.
Veterans Funeral Benefits & Honors
VA Burial Benefits
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs provides several burial benefits for eligible veterans. These include a burial allowance (up to $2,000 for service-connected deaths or a lesser amount for non-service-connected deaths), a free burial plot in a national or state veterans cemetery, a headstone or grave marker at no cost, and a Presidential Memorial Certificate. Eligibility generally requires discharge under conditions other than dishonorable. Your funeral home can help file the necessary VA paperwork.
Military Funeral Honors
Federal law entitles every eligible veteran to a basic military funeral honors ceremony, which includes the folding and presentation of the American flag and the playing of Taps. The honors detail typically consists of at least two uniformed service members. Fort Leavenworth, located just 30 minutes north of Kansas City, provides military honors for Army veterans. Other branches coordinate through local reserve units and honor guard organizations. Full military honors, which may include a rifle volley, caisson, and pallbearers in uniform, are available for veterans who meet additional criteria.
National & State Veterans Cemeteries
Kansas City area veterans have access to several national and state veterans cemeteries. The Leavenworth National Cemetery in Leavenworth, Kansas is one of the oldest national cemeteries in the country. The Fort Scott National Cemetery is about two hours south. The Missouri Veterans Cemetery in Higginsville and the Kansas Veterans Cemetery at Fort Dodge offer state-run options. Burial in a national or state veterans cemetery is free for eligible veterans and includes the plot, opening and closing of the grave, and a headstone or marker.
Veterans Service Organizations
Kansas City is home to active chapters of the VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars), American Legion, Disabled American Veterans (DAV), and other service organizations that can assist with funeral planning and benefits claims. These organizations often provide honor guards for funeral services, help with VA paperwork, and connect families with additional support resources. The Kansas City VA Medical Center's social work department can also provide guidance.
Personalized Military Tributes
Beyond standard military honors, many Kansas City families personalize their veteran's tribute. Options include displaying military memorabilia and photographs, incorporating branch-specific music or traditions, choosing a casket or urn with military emblems, using a flag case to display the burial flag, and holding the service at a location meaningful to the veteran's service. Several Kansas City funeral homes specialize in veterans services and have deep experience creating these personalized tributes.
Local Kansas City Information
Kansas City's connection to military service runs deep. The National World War I Museum and Memorial, located at Liberty Memorial, stands as a powerful testament to the city's dedication to honoring those who serve. The Kansas City VA Medical Center in the Midtown area serves thousands of veterans annually and coordinates closely with local funeral homes on end-of-life services. Fort Leavenworth, home to the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, is just a short drive from Kansas City and provides military honors support throughout the metro area. Local VFW posts and American Legion halls across Johnson County, Jackson County, and the Northland regularly participate in veteran funeral services. Many Kansas City funeral homes offer specialized veterans packages that bundle VA benefits assistance, military honors coordination, and personalized service planning. These packages help ensure that no benefit goes unclaimed and that every veteran receives the honors they deserve. Families should request a copy of the veteran's DD-214 discharge papers, as this document is essential for accessing virtually all VA burial benefits.
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Compare Veterans Funeral ProvidersFrequently Asked Questions
Eligible veterans may receive a burial allowance (up to $2,000 for service-connected deaths), a free plot in a national or state veterans cemetery, a government-furnished headstone or marker, a Presidential Memorial Certificate, and a burial flag. Spouses and dependents of eligible veterans may also qualify for burial in a national cemetery.
Your funeral home will typically coordinate military honors on your behalf. They will contact the appropriate military branch based on the veteran's service record. Fort Leavenworth provides Army honors for the Kansas City area. For other branches, local reserve units and veterans service organizations provide honors details. Request honors as early as possible to ensure availability.
The Leavenworth National Cemetery in Leavenworth, Kansas is the closest, located about 30 miles northwest of downtown Kansas City. It is one of the original national cemeteries established during the Civil War. The Fort Scott National Cemetery in Fort Scott, Kansas is about 90 miles south.
A DD-214 is the official discharge document issued to military members upon separation from active duty. It verifies the veteran's service dates, rank, awards, and type of discharge. You need it to access virtually all VA burial benefits. If you cannot locate the DD-214, you can request a copy from the National Personnel Records Center or through eVetRecs online.
Yes. Veterans buried in private cemeteries can still receive a VA burial allowance, a free government headstone or marker (or a medallion to attach to a private marker), and a Presidential Memorial Certificate. However, the free burial plot benefit only applies to national and state veterans cemeteries.
Basic military honors (flag folding, presentation, and Taps) are available for any veteran who served on active duty and was discharged under conditions other than dishonorable. Full military honors, which may include a rifle volley and more elaborate ceremony, are typically reserved for veterans who retired from military service or who died on active duty.
Yes. In national and state veterans cemeteries, the veteran's spouse and eligible dependents may be buried in the same plot at no additional charge. In private cemeteries, the spouse can be buried alongside the veteran, though the plot cost is the family's responsibility. The VA headstone can include the spouse's inscription.
Yes. VA burial benefits apply regardless of whether the veteran was cremated or buried. Cremated remains can be interred in a national cemetery columbarium niche at no cost, and the VA will still provide a marker and Presidential Memorial Certificate. The burial allowance is also available for cremation.
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