We help veteran families understand what honors and benefits may apply, gather the documents that are needed, and coordinate the funeral, cremation or cemetery arrangements that follow.
You do not need to know every benefit before you call us.
Bring the DD-214 if you have it
A copy of the veteran's DD-214 is the best place to start. If you cannot find it, call us anyway.
Do not assume that a discharge other than honorable means no benefits are available. VA eligibility is more specific than that, and some discharge types require review by the VA.
We can help you identify what may apply and work through the VA's process with you.
Call us at (432) 563-9767. Our phones are answered 24 hours a day.
Military funeral honors
Eligible veterans may receive military funeral honors provided by the Armed Forces.
The core honors include a detail of at least two members of the Armed Forces, with at least one representing the veteran's branch of service. The ceremony includes the playing of Taps and the folding and presentation of the American flag to the next of kin.
Taps may be played by a live bugler when one is available, or by a ceremonial bugle.
Additional elements, such as a rifle detail, pallbearers or an escort, may sometimes be provided by military or veterans organizations. Those elements are not guaranteed and depend on availability.
We help request and coordinate the honors for which the veteran may be eligible.
Veteran benefits we can help with
Veteran burial and memorial benefits are separate programs with different eligibility requirements. Depending on the veteran and the circumstances, benefits may include:
- A burial flag
- A government headstone or marker
- A Presidential Memorial Certificate
- Burial allowances
- Military funeral honors
- Burial in a state or national veterans cemetery
Not every veteran qualifies for every benefit. Our job is to help your family understand what may apply, gather the information that is needed, and handle the paperwork and coordination required to request it.
Veteran cemetery property at American Heritage
The Garden of Calvary is our veteran section. To be buried there, a veteran must have a DD-214 showing an honorable discharge. Immediate family of that veteran may also be buried in the Garden of Calvary.
Current veteran property pricing is:
- Upright memorial monument section: $2,000
- Flat memorial monument section: $1,695
Grave markers are sold separately and are not included in the cemetery property price.
For the complete and current list of cemetery, funeral and cremation prices, you can review our General Price List.
Families are welcome to visit the cemetery and see the Garden of Calvary before making a decision.
For graveside services, our permanent covered pavilion is available at no charge. It provides shade and some protection from the West Texas sun and changing weather.
Veterans memorial wall
A veteran interred at American Heritage may have their name added to our veterans memorial wall. The family provides a copy of the DD-214 as proof of service.
Call us at (432) 563-9767 if you would like to know more about the memorial wall or veteran cemetery property.
If you choose a state or national veterans cemetery
You do not have to choose American Heritage Cemetery for us to care for your loved one.
If an eligible veteran will be buried in a state or national veterans cemetery, we can provide the funeral or cremation care and help coordinate the cemetery arrangements and paperwork.
Tell us what your family is considering. We will help you understand what needs to happen next.
If your family chooses cremation
Military funeral honors are not limited to casket burial. If cremation is chosen, we can still help request the honors and veteran benefits that may apply.
Cremation takes place here on the American Heritage campus in Midland. After your loved one enters our care, they do not need to be transferred to an outside crematory.
A funeral or memorial service may also be held before or after cremation.
Where a service can be held
A veteran's funeral or memorial service can be held in our chapel, at your family's church or place of worship, or graveside at American Heritage Cemetery.
We will help coordinate the service and the military honors together.
Call us before you make assumptions about eligibility
You do not need to know which benefit applies before you call. You do not need to have every document in hand.
And you should not assume that your family does not qualify because of something you have heard about military benefits or discharge status.
Start with what you know. We will help you work through the rest.
Call (432) 563-9767. Phones are answered 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Visit American Heritage
American Heritage Cemetery, Funeral Home & Crematory
4100 N FM 1788
Midland, TX 79707
(432) 563-9767
Office: Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM–5:00 PM, and later when there is a viewing
Cemetery grounds: Daily, 7:30 AM–6:00 PM
Phones answered: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week