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Veterans Funeral Care 1st in Nation to Receive American Legion Dept....

Veterans Funeral Care is the first funeral home in the nation to receive an endorsement from the American Legion, Department of Indiana (www.indlegion.org).

Veterans Funeral Care (www.veteransfuneralcare.com) was exclusively endorsed by a department of the world's largest veterans service organization. This follows a year-long interview and recommendation process in Indianapolis, where the American Legion is headquartered.

Jim Rudolph, founder of Veterans Funeral Care, started the funeral home, which is the first in the country to exclusively serve veterans. "I started the business in 2000 to help veterans," said Rudolph. "I had no idea that this kind of recognition was possible. Now, it is my hope that we will be able to generate more awareness about veterans burial benefits with the credibility of the American Legion behind us," said Rudolph

As Memorial Day approaches, veterans and families across the nation will celebrate our servicemen and women. Rudolph hopes to use this as an educational outreach opportunity to get the word out to vets. These benefits apply to any national cemetery, for veterans and their spouses, who were honorably discharged include:

-    Free cemetery space at a national cemetery

-    Free burial vault

-    Perpetual care - no annual maintenance fee

-    Free grave marker

Those who are receiving a VA disability pension or who die in a VA hospital, are entitled to cash benefits. This is anywhere from $300 to $2000, depending on disability.

The U.S. Navy will also scatter ashes from a war ship and conduct a full military honor ceremony. Active military personnel are permitted on board the ship only, however, the Navy will send a video to the family. For those veterans who have given 20 years active duty, they are entitled to a free burial at sea. (Watch Frank Sebesta's burial at Sea: http://www.youtube.com/watchv=Uym9IwIWozA)

Rudolph added that since so many funeral homes are unaware of this information, they end up directing veterans to private cemeteries. As a result, veterans and their families spend around $10,000 when they should have spent around $4,000.

Rudolph said that while his company averages 50 inquiries a day via phone and the website, this is not enough. "Too often we hear from families who find us too late," said Rudolph. "Only education and media awareness will resolve this on-going challenge."

Rudolph has been working to educate those in the industry and vets for years, but his dedication to vets began at a much earlier age. "I remember my dad talking about idolizing the paratroopers during WWII," he said. "My passion and interest began as a boy and has evolved into adulthood. It made sense after years and years in the funeral care business and as a consultant, that I start a business completely dedicated to serving veterans," said Rudolph.

Veterans Funeral Care serves veterans in 48 states, excluding Alaska and Hawaii. On the website is a "Provider Network" of funeral directors endorsed by Rudolph's company, which he interviews and researches prior to publishing. Additionally, features an online guestbook called "Noteworthy Deaths" where veterans and their families can sign and leave notes about their loved ones. Some of those noteworthy deaths include Rev. George O. White Jr., W. Glen Hengevelt, Lt. Col Robert C Dexter and many more.

More related links:

United States Department of Veterans Affairs, information about benefits: http://www.vba.va.gov/

2007 Memorial Day Ceremonies at National Cemeteries: http://www.cem.va.gov/cem/cems/2007_Memorial_Day_Ceremonies.asp#IN

Online directory of burial locations: http://gravelocator.cem.va.gov/j2ee/servlet/NGL_v1

History Channel's Veterans Forum, online message board: http://boards.historychannel.com/category.jspacategoryID=600000005

Veterans Funeral Care, based in Clearwater, Fla., is a national funeral service provider for veterans and their families. The company's mission is to ensure veterans receive all cremation and burial benefits, saving veterans and their families 40 percent in funeral costs. Services include burial and cremation arrangements, which include applying for benefits, filing life insurance and arranging military honors. The company has a "Provider Network" of funeral directors encompassing 48 states, excluding Hawaii and Alaska. Veteran Funeral Care is endorsed by the America Legion, Department of Indiana. For more information, visit www.veteransfuneralcare.com.

For media inquiries about Veterans Funeral Care, please call Valerie Jennings at 816.221.1040 or send an e-mail to valerie @ jenningspr.net.

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