Honoring Veterans with Dignity and Respect in Waynesboro
At Deloach-McKerley-Prescott Funeral Home, we proudly honor the courage, sacrifice, and service of our nation’s veterans. We recognize the price of freedom and are committed to providing compassionate, professional veteran funeral services for those who have served our country. It does not matter if you served in combat or in a different role, we understand that once you signed your name on that paper, you became a veteran and have earned all that is available to you through the VA.
Our knowledgeable staff is here to guide families through the process of arranging military honors and obtaining the benefits offered by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), including burial assistance, memorial items, and cemetery placement.
Please provide the DD214 in order to qualify for any of the benefits listed below. If you don’t know where to locate this document, a replacement can be obtained by filling out VA Standard Form 180 – Request Pertaining to Military Records.
VETERANS IN CRISIS: Reach Out for Help
Veterans Crisis Line: Dial 988, then Press 1
For 24/7 confidential crisis support for veterans and their loved ones. You don’t have to be enrolled in VA benefits or health care to connect. Help is available to those facing any type of crisis – end of a relationship, loss of a job, housing instability, etc. You can get the support you need here.
A national non-profit solely focused on preventing veteran suicide that offers immediate support and ongoing care. Learn more here.
What Are VA Burial Benefits?
VA burial benefits help veterans and their families with the cost and planning of a burial or memorial service. For those who qualify, services may include:
Burial in a VA National Cemetery or State Veteran Cemetery
A government-furnished headstone, grave marker, or niche marker
A burial flag
A Presidential Memorial Certificate
Financial assistance for funeral, burial, and transportation expenses
These benefits are available to eligible veterans at no cost to the family and serve to recognize and honor military service.
We have created a Quick Reference Guide to help you with some of the benefits that may be available to help offset the cost of a veteran’s funeral and burial.
If you are pre-arranging your funeral, you can also fill out VA Form 40-10007 that will predetermine your eligibility for burial in a VA National Cemetery.
A veteran who received an honorable or general discharge (not dishonorable)
A service member who died while on active duty, active duty for training, or inactive duty for training
The spouse or minor child of an eligible veteran
An unmarried adult dependent child in certain circumstances
Eligibility requirements and documentation may vary. To learn more, visit VA burial eligibility.
What Are Military Funeral Honors?
Military funeral honors are a ceremonial tribute provided by the Department of Defense. When requested, eligible veterans are honored with:
The playing of “Taps”
A rifle detail and color guard
The folding and presentation of the United States flag by uniformed military personnel
These honors are typically performed at the gravesite or memorial service and offer a moving and meaningful farewell to a life of service. To receive military honors, veterans must meet one of the following conditions:
Served in wartime
Died while on active duty after May 27, 1941
Served after January 31, 1955
Completed one full term of service before June 27, 1950
Served in the Selected Reserves or with the Philippine military in service to the U.S. and died on or after April 25, 1951
VA death benefits can assist with the cost of burial, funeral services, and transportation. If you or your loved one will be buried in a VA national cemetery, additional assistance may include coverage of the burial plot and the cost of transporting remains. We can help you arrange a meeting with a Veteran Service Officer (VSO) who can assist you. If you prefer to find a VSO yourself, you can find one here.
For non-service-connected deaths, survivors must file a claim within two years of the burial or cremation.
For service-connected deaths, there is no time limit to apply.
The VA provides free headstones or markers for eligible veterans, even for unmarked graves. Families may also request a niche marker for cremated remains or memorial medallions for privately purchased headstones. To request a headstone or grave marker:
Some veterans were exposed to toxins during their time in the service. The PACT Act and other programs were established in order to provide care and financial support to the veteran and, sometimes, their families. The best way to determine eligibility is to meet with a Veteran Services Officer (VSO). However, some of the resources we have gathered may be helpful to you as you prepare for this meeting.
Navigating VA benefits can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to do it alone. The staff at Deloach-McKerley-Prescott Funeral Home is honored to help you understand your options and arrange for you to meet with a Veteran Service Officer (VSO). For more information:
Or contact our funeral home — we’re here to support you.
veterans we have served
Veterans We Have Served
Wall of Honor
Raymond Joseph Trenter, Jr.
Sep 12, 2026
Our beloved Raymond Joseph Trenter, Jr., 84, went into the presence of his Saviour on Saturday, September 12, 2026. He was predeceased by his parents, Raymond Joseph and Martha Trenter. He was married to Betty Bailey-Dant Trenter on March 19, 2003., who predeceased him in 2010. They had many glorious adventures together, including a mission trip to Russia. They flew children’s Bibles written in the Russian language to Russia for SOAR International. After the mission, upon arriving in the US,...
Andrew M Nowicki
Dec 31, 2025
Andrew proudly served in the U. S. Marine Corp and was a Vietnam Veteran.
Stephen Duane Gladson, Sr.
Jun 17, 2025
Stephen Duane Gladson Sr. (also known as Steve), 73, passed away peacefully on June 14, 2025. Born in Kitsap, Washington, on May 28, 1952, Stephen lived a life defined by service, resilience, and deep devotion to his family and friends. Early in life, Stephen honorably served his country and was a veteran of the United States Army. He continued his dedication to service as a firefighter with the Tacoma, Washington, Fire Department, where he spent many years displaying courageous and...
