Veterans Funeral & Cremation Services

McComas Family Funeral Homes is proud to honor the men and women who served our country with courage, dedication, and sacrifice. When a veteran dies, our experienced funeral directors are here to help families understand their options and create a meaningful funeral or memorial service that recognizes their loved one’s military service and life.



We can assist your family in arranging traditional military funeral honors and incorporating personalized tributes that reflect your loved one’s branch of service, accomplishments, values, and commitment to our country. Whether you are planning a traditional funeral, burial, cremation, memorial service, or celebration of life, it would be our privilege to help you create a dignified and meaningful tribute to your veteran.

Fallen Hero Package

Whether it was in the armed forces or through fire service or law enforcement, your loved one has served and, therefore, deserves to be recognized. 

To honor those who have served, we would like to offer the following service package to pay tribute to the life of your loved one. 

 

1) First Call - Our Tribute begins with your first call to us - we transfer the veteran into our care with a commemorative cover that bears the stars of the American Flag.

 

2) Customized Video Tribute - We will take 75 of your loved one’s pictures and create a memorable tribute that will be played at the visitation and service and then be given to you in DVD format for continued viewing in your home. You also have the option of having this program accessible on our website for further viewing. 

 

3) Service Emblems - We will use magnet service emblems on the doors of the hearse that will take your loved one to their place of rest. These emblems will proudly display the line of service in which they have served. American flags will be flown as well. 

 

4) Walk of Honor - American flags will be arranged at the cemetery creating a “Walk of Honor” leading to the graveside. 

 

5) Military Honors - Upon receiving the necessary documents and authorization, the funeral home will arrange for military honors to be rendered at the proper time.

Maryland Veterans Burial Benefits & Resources

Veterans and their families may be eligible for a variety of burial, memorial, and military funeral benefits through the State of Maryland and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. The Maryland Department of Veterans and Military Families provides information and assistance regarding veterans cemetery eligibility, burial benefits, military funeral honors, memorials, and other programs available to veterans and their eligible family members.



Visit the Maryland Department of Veterans and Military Families for additional information about veterans burial benefits, Maryland State Veterans Cemeteries, eligibility requirements, and military funeral honors.

Maryland State Veterans Cemeteries

Maryland operates five State Veterans Cemeteries for eligible veterans, National Guard members, reservists, and qualifying family members. Depending on eligibility, benefits may include a burial plot, grave liner, headstone, and interment services.


The Maryland Department of Veterans and Military Families can also assist with pre-interment planning, determining cemetery eligibility, scheduling an interment, and coordinating information related to military funeral honors.



For families in Harford County, McComas Family Funeral Homes can help explain available veterans burial options and work with the appropriate cemetery and military organizations when making funeral arrangements.

Veterans Benefits Assistance

The Maryland Department of Veterans and Military Families Service and Benefits Program provides free assistance to veterans, dependents, and survivors seeking benefits through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Department of Defense, State of Maryland, and other veterans programs.


VA-accredited Benefits Specialists can assist veterans and their families with understanding eligibility, reviewing military discharge documents, applying for benefits, and navigating available federal and state programs.


Maryland Department of Veterans and Military Families
Service and Benefits Program
Federal Building, Room 3020
31 Hopkins Plaza
Baltimore, MD 21201


Phone: 410-230-4444
Toll Free: 800-446-4926, ext. 6450

Local Veterans Groups and Resources

  • Dept of Veterans Affairs Bel Air Service Office — 501 W. MacPhail Road, Bel Air, MD 21014 | 410-638-6507. This Maryland Department of Veterans and Military Families office provides no-cost assistance to veterans and eligible family members seeking federal and state veterans benefits.
  • Veterans Commission — The Harford County Veterans Commission helps connect veterans and their families with benefits, VA health care, mental-health resources, housing and financial assistance, employment, education, and local veteran organizations. The county currently lists 410-638-3213 ext. 1456 and vetcommission@harfordcountymd.gov for assistance.
  • Aberdeen Vet Center Outstation — 223 W. Bel Air Avenue, Aberdeen, MD 21001 | 410-272-6771. Provides counseling and support services for eligible veterans, active-duty service members, and their families.
  • Perry Point VA Medical Center - VA Maryland Health Care System — 361 Boiler House Road, Perry Point, MD 21902 | 410-642-2411. Part of the VA Maryland Health Care System, offering health care and a range of specialized veteran support programs.
  • American Legion — American Legion Harford Post 39, 500 N. Hickory Avenue, Bel Air, MD 21014 | 410-838-2603. A local veterans service organization offering fellowship, community involvement, veteran support, and activities.
  • Veterans of Foreign Wars — VFW Post 5337, 3705 Pulaski Highway, Abingdon, MD 21009 | 410-676-4456. Serves veterans in the Abingdon area through fellowship, veteran advocacy, community activities, and support.
  • Jarrettsville Manor Memorial VFW Post 8672 — 1714 Morse Road, Jarrettsville, MD 21084 | 410-692-5414. A particularly relevant local resource for the McComas Jarrettsville service area.
  • VFW Post 10146 — 3440 Conowingo Road, Street, MD 21154 | 410-457-5461. Serves veterans and families in northern Harford County and the Darlington/Street area.
  • VFW Post 8126 — 300 N. Lodge Lane A, Havre de Grace, MD 21078 | 410-939-4578. Provides a local veterans organization and community for veterans, active-duty personnel, and families.

Traditional Elements & Honors

Standard honor military funerals can include:

  • A military chaplain for family members
  • Flag Presentation Service by the chaplain of the American Legion
  • A Final Salute at the gravesite


Full honor military funerals include all standard honors in addition to the following:

  • Depending on their rank, a 21 gun salute
  • The U.S. flag draped over the casket, and given to the next of kin following the service
  • The playing of Taps by a lone bugler or an audio recording

Other Veteran Benefits

In addition to coordinating honors related to the service itself, we can help you communicate with the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to arrange for:

  • A Presidential Memorial Certificate. This is a certificate expressing the nation's recognition of the veteran's service. The veteran's name is inscribed and the certificate bears the signature of the president. Certificates are issued in the name of honorably discharged, deceased veterans. Contact us for assistance in applying for a Presidential Memorial Certificate, and we would be happy to guide you through the process.

  • Headstones or Markers. The VA provides headstones and markers for the graves of veterans anywhere in the world and for eligible dependents of veterans buried in national, state veteran or military cemeteries.

  • Memorial Plots. If an eligible veteran's remains are not available for burial, the VA will provide a plot and headstone or marker in a national cemetery for memorialization. If you wish to place the memorial in a cemetery other than a national cemetery, the VA will provide the headstone or marker but not the plot itself.

  • Burial in a VA National Cemetery. This includes the gravesite, opening and closing of the grave, a grave box, and perpetual care.

  • Reimbursement of Burial Expenses. For information on eligibility and the different levels of potential reimbursement, please review their Guide to VA Burial Allowances.

 

Additional Resources

Please visit the following links for detailed information about the options available for honoring service members and other aspects of military funerals: