Friday, Nov. 14, 2008

Blessing selected as veterans provider

The Lucas family and Kelly K. Wallace, manager of Blessing Funeral Home in Mansfield, announced that Blessing Funeral Home has been selected to become an exclusive, certified "Veterans & Family Memorial Care Provider." VFMC Providers are selected for upholding the highest level of ethical business standards and integrity while providing outstanding, affordable professional service. The staff at Blessing Funeral Home has deep roots in the community. They are extremely knowledgeable and well trained to assist families with every aspect of the final arrangement process. Working closely with VFW, American Legion, Hospice and other Veterans and civic organizations has been the cornerstone of their success.

In addition to providing veterans and their spouses with a 10 percent discount off funeral and cremation arrangements, Veterans & Family Memorial Care Providers encourage veterans to take full advantage of their free burial benefit guaranteed them by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Choosing a Veterans State or National Cemetery for burial results in an average savings of $5,000-$7,000 per person.

"This is a huge savings compared to purchasing cemetery property and related merchandise from a private or corporate owned cemetery," said Mark Davis, president and CEO of Veterans & Family Memorial Care. "That amounts to a total of $10,000-$14,000 for a married couple."

The VA recently did a survey resulting in a finding that at least one-third of all veterans were unaware that they were entitled to free burial at any of the nation’s 125 National Cemeteries."

The government does an excellent job providing veterans and their spouses with burial benefits if you use a Veterans State or National Cemetery; however, there are very limited benefits for the funeral or cremation. Jim Lucas, owner of Blessing Funeral Home, has demonstrated a willingness and commitment to reach out to veterans and their families by extending benefits and savings beyond those provided by the U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs. This includes a complimentary wood and glass flag case to the surviving spouse of a deceased veteran.

The VA prepares the gravesite, carries out the burial, furnishes a headstone or marker, and a flag and provides perpetual care. The department does not provide veterans funeral or cremation arrangements, transportation or military honors, all of which can be arranged through Blessing Funeral Home, an exclusive, certified, Veterans & Family Memorial Care Provider.

Gravesites at VA National Cemeteries cannot be reserved in advance through the VA; however, hundreds of veterans have taken advantage of the free burial registration program provided by Veterans & Family Memorial Care. This ensures that all final arrangement decisions are honored and respected. To register for your free burial benefit or veterans funeral discount, go to www.VeteransFuneralHomes.com or call Blessing Funeral Home at (817) 473-1555.