In counseling my families I explain what the charges are for the items that are necessary and which they, to a certain extent, have little or no control over; and also the items which they personally desire these charges are also explained. Any allowances by the government and organizations may be applied toward the total charges. They will be obliged to pay the remaining balance out of their personal funds. May this information still be informative to you and your Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Sincerely, DEAN W. CLINE. CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES, Washington, D.C. DEAR TIGER: The attached refers to a matter in which you are interested and I am, therefore, forwarding it for your information and attention. With every good wish, Sincerely, JOHN P. SAYLOR, JOHN HENDERSON CO., Johnstown, Pa., February 15, 1968. HON. JOHN P. SAYLOR, House of Representatives, Washington, D.C. DEAR JOHN: Thank you for your letter of inquiry dated February 8, 1968 concerning the funeral costs of service men. At the time I received your letter I was very much concerned about the Department of Defense reimbursement or allowance to families in the case of the death of a service man. Since that date I have learned that the Defense Dpartment has changed these allowances and as they stand now, effective February 1, 1968, these allowances seem very adequate in my opinion. Prior to February first I would have said they were inadequate and I would cite for example the two hundred dollars in the case of a service man. Grandview Cemetery charge here in Johnstown would be eighty-five dollars and the cemetery would insist on some type of a cave-proof container, the minimum of which would be eighty-seven dollars, so you can see that cemetery charges alone would eat up one hundred seventy-two dollars out of the alloted two hundred dollars. There isn't a funeral director in the country who could render any kind of service for the remaining twenty-eight dollars. There was some comment in the newspaper some time ago, and I think I read it in one of the periodicals, that some families had made requests to replace the casket which was supplied by the Defense Department. Of the two funeral services which I had, one from the Air Force and the other from the Marine Corps, I can see no reason for any casket replacement. Both units were above average and in my personal opinion were entirely acceptable as they were sent to us. I am enclosing a copy of a release just received by me from the National Funeral Directors Association which is self-explanatory. John, if you feel that you need more detailed facts and figures in terms of dollars and cents for service rendered I would suggest that you write, or I will obtain them for you, to the National Funeral Directors Association 135 West Wells Street, Milwaukee, Wisconsin and request a copy of the Foran Report, 1967 Edition. I also know that the Federated Funeral Directors Association in Springfield, Ill. which is an accounting firm who maintain the books and records of approximately six hundred funeral directors throughout the country would be glad to supply you with any facts or figures. I have discussed this with both organizations and they would be more than glad to help you in any way. If it would help you any I would be glad to appear before the Committee if you think I could be of any service. Thank you very much for all your kindness, I remain, Very sincerely yours, i JOHN HENDERSON. NATIONAL FUNERAL DIRECTORS ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED STATES, INC., Milwaukee, Wis. ARMED FORCES BURIAL ALLOWANCES RAISED Both the primary and secondary burial allowances for service personnel who die while on active duty will be raised as of February 1. The present primary allowance for those who die in the United States where a U.S. contract funeral director is not used to prepare and casket the body is the amount of the contract in force in the area if there is such a contract funeral director available. Where there is no contract funeral director, the amount is $400. As of February 1, this will be raised to $500. The secondary allowance is applicable where the body is prepared and casketed as part of the mortuary program of the Armed Forces regardless of where death occurs. These allowances, present and future, are $75 maximum if the body of the serviceman is sent directly to a National Cemetery or post cemetery. This figure remains the same. $150 maximum if the body of the serviceman is to be buried in a National Cemetery or a post cemetery and the services and/or facilities and/or merchandise of the funeral director are desired. This amount will be $250 maximum on and after February 1. $300 maximum if the body of the serviceman is to be buried in a private cemetery. On February 1 the maximum amount available is $500. During the time the Department of Defense was reviewing the allowances for the burial of servicemen, NFDA Executive Secretary Howard C. Raether accepted an invitation to appear on January 16 in the Pentagon in Washington before a group of persons representing each of the Armed Forces and the Department of Defense. The purpose of this appearance was to relate the position of the funeral director in providing his services, facilities and merchandise in the funerals and burials for those who die while in one of the services and to relate some of the experiences and practices of funeral firms. Mr. Raether emphasized the desires and demands families often have. He also explained the great variations in costs due to charges over which the funeral director has no control. CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES, DEAR OLIN: The attached refers to a matter in which you are interested and I am, therefore, forwarding it for your information and attention. With every good wish, JOHN P. SAYLOR, P.S.-You may want to add these to the previous letters sent you on this subject. Hon. JOHN P. SAYLOR,, Congress of the United States, House of Representatives, Washington, D.C. ROBINSON-LYTLE, Indiana, Pa., January 31, 1968. DEAR SIR: We are writing to you relative to your study of funeral costs for servicemen killed in action. During the past year we have conducted services for three men who were killed in Vietnam. The services cost their families $311.85, $395.00, and $514.64 respectively. Federal allowances plus Indiana County's $75.00 allowance, covered the expenses in two of these cases but private funds were necessary in the third instance. It should be observed that funeral service costs are usually materially lower in our service area than they are in metropolitan areas such as Allegheny County. We would respectfully suggest that your Veterans Affairs Committee recommend an increase in the burial allowance for servicemen killed in action. A larger allowance would be more realistic in today's economy. Sincerely, R. MCKAY LYTLE, JR. ALONZO P. MERWIN, FUNERAL DIRECTOR, Hon. JOHN P. SAYLOR, House of Representatives, Washington, D.C. DEAR MR. SAYLOR: Your letter of January 15th received in requesting information in regards that many American families must bear a part of the funeral costs for servicemen killed in action. At the time your request was received, I was in the process of arranging funeral service for a serviceman killed in Vietnam. First I must say the cooperation and prompt service in returning these deceased servicemen to the United States are very gratifying. The Escort and service of nearby local Barracks are a god send to the bereaved families. All American families wish to bury their dead to the dictates of their hearts and traditions of their religious beliefs. Therefore a serviceman returned to his home town for burial, the family must arrange for a funeral director to take charge, just as if the death had occurred at home. Arrangements must be made for a viewing place (mostly the funeral home) where friends and relatives may visit for two to three days. Other services needed are Professional Service of the Funeral Director; Service of Assistants; Other Facilities; Car for the Clergyman; Flower Car; Register Book; Cards; Special Religious Equipment, etc. Also needed is a required Grave Receptable at the Cemetery; Opening and Closing of the Grave; Newspaper Notices; Hearse service and Tent service. In many cases there must be a purchase of grave plot; flowers and a possible charge or donation for use of Churches. No, Mr. Saylor, funeral costs cannot be kept within the allowable limits, provided by the United States Government. I would venture to say the amount provided for, would only cover perhaps about half the expense. Should you wish further information, please do not hesitate to contact me. Thank you for inviting me to participate in this forthcoming report. Sincerely yours, ALONZO P. MERWIN. ARMSTRONG FUNERAL HOME, Hon. JOHN P. SAYLOR, Washington, D.C.. DEAR MR. SAYLOR: Thanks for the inquiry pertaining to costs of burial of returned servicemen. I understand the amount allotted is $300. My understanding was that the $300 was set up as a basic, just to have the serviceman returned and buried without any time lapse for viewing and use of funeral home, equipment and funeral directors time. As is the custom in our area, there is a two or three day viewing by friends, a time set for a religious service, and their burial. This should all be explained to the family, and what ever other costs over and above cemetery and hearse, such as vault, use of funeral home and time involved, should be an expense of the family. Most areas, the $300 will purchase a grave space, pay for opening grave, and hearse to cemetery. In Pennsylvania we have an additional $75 allowed by County Commissioners of the county in which the serviceman resided. My father and Charles Armstrong, a state representative at that time, had this bill enacted. (1921) Looking back in my father's ledger, he only charged the families of returned servicemen of W.W. 1 for such items as had a charge for it. Nothing for his time or service. He said this was his contribution for their sacrifice. No matter how much you may allot for the burial, there will always be somebody trying to get more. ALBERT E. RAIRIGH FUNERAL HOME, Hon. JOHN P. SAYLOR, DEAR CONGRESSMAN SAYLOR: I am pleased to submit the following information concerning funeral costs for servicemen killed in action. I sincerely hope this data will present an insight to a definite problem. I was called upon to serve a wife and family whose serviceman had been killed in Viet Nam on November 24, 1965. It was the request of the wife and family that his body lie in state at the funeral home for two days prior to the funeral service. Our operating costs for this complete funeral including two days of visitation and the funeral service is $175.00. Incidentally this figure is the amount recommended by the Federated Funeral Directors of America, of which I am a member. The vault chosen by the family sold for a sum of $130.00. Aditional cost items were: transporting the remains from the Greater Pittsburgh Airport (160 mile round trip) $25.00; opening the grave $50.00; services of two buglers (requested by Army) $10.00; and honorarium for the minister $15.00. The complete services provided for this family cost $405.00. The United States Government provided $200.00, leaving a deficit of $205.00 to be paid by the serviceman's family. I might add that the above information was based on 1965 operative overhead costs that have increased approximately $22.00 since 1965. I will be pleased to provide any further information or assistance at any time. Sincerely, Hon. OLIN E. TEAGUE, ALBERT E. RAIRIGH. CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES, Chairman, Committee on Veterans' Affairs, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Washington, D.C., February 1, 1968. DEAR OLIN: Since the subject of veteran burials will soon receive the attention of the Committee, I am enclosing several solicited letters from funeral directors in my District which the staff may want to study for background information and material. With every good wish, Re letter dated January 15, 1968. Hon. JOHN P. SAYLOR, JOHN P. SAYLOR, PICKING-TREECE-BENNETT MORTUARY, Representative 22d Pennsylvania Congressional District, Washington, D.C. DEAR JOHN: I am sorry not to have replied to your letter sooner but with business, Y.M.C.A. drives, etc. this has been my first opportunity to do so. So many things are involved that I find it difficult to condense them in a manner you and your colleagues may understand. With regard to your second paragraph line the word "difficult", should be replaced with the word "impossible". We have had occasion to service the families of 2 boys who were killed in Viet Nam. I am enclosing copies of their invoices for your study. Some of your fellow members may take exception to certain items, that they may feel were not needed, such as a burial vault. In this respect, families in this community are compelled to use them even if they don't want it. It is a cemetery regulation with which they must comply. For example, an orthodox Jew believes that they should return to the "dust" from where they came as soon as possible. That is the main reason they use a low priced wooden casket, no rough box (in their own cemeteries) so that decomposition is hastened. But in our local cemeteries, religion is of no consequence, and a vault must be used. They are getting and paying for preservation they do not want. Certain items must be furnished to make a layout complete, such as ferns, etc. The cost of opening a grave in our area is $85.00. We must rent a funeral coach the rate which is based on mileage. $25.00 is the least we can rent a coach for a service. Tent service must be used to comply with cemetery regulations. This is a $15.00 item. Many people believe that obituary notices are free. At present, we make a flat $10.00 fee for all. Some may cost $7.00 while others $12.00 or more. We have been using $10.00 as an average. This we are going to have to change. As of January 1, 1968 we received notice from our local newspaper that our new obituary rate would be 371⁄2¢ for the 1st six lines, and 371⁄2¢ for each additional line. This represents an increase of almost 100%. We also furnish a car for the minister and acknowledgment cards for which there is no charge. When the burial is of Catholic faith we must also include the mass, the least expensive being $25.00. I don't know what the answer is John, but I am sure the $300.00 present allowance is peanuts. I also would like to inform you that in larger cities such as New York where the Profession is unionized, they must hire professional Pall-Bearers, Automobiles with union drivers must be hired and used so their bills would be considerably larger. Most Funeral Directors in this Country are honest and fair and perhaps feel a little as I do. Meaning, that being a 5 year veteran of WW#2 myself, having seen action, hold 2 Bronze Star medals, I do not want to realize 10¢ profit from the burial of a Boy who gave his life for his country. That is a policy I have established with this firm and that policy will remain as such, as long as I am here. All we want is our expenses. I don't know the answer John, but perhaps it may be best not to put a ceiling on the cost of the burial. I recall that when we buried "Bob" Coffey, there was no ceiling, but we were informed just to send the bill to the House of Representatives. By this time I know you are thoroughly confused, so drop me a line if you need help in becoming untracked. I do hope I have been of some help, and don't hesitate to call on me for any other facts or figures. The best of luck to you and your committee. Enclosures. RONALD D. PICKING. John P. McGill, Johnstown, Pa., May 25-June 8, 1967 For the funeral of 2d Lt. James Barry McGill : To professional service, funeral coach, fern decoration, obituary notice, tent $260 To cash expenditures: Accommodation items concrete burial vault $140, grave opening and closing $85, lot No. 578, Overbrook No. 1, Grandview Cemetery, $323_ 548 To cash expenditures: Extra items, Father Joseph O'Toole $25, transportation from railroad, $15_-- 40 Total invoice____ Professional service charges on this account were $200. 848 Reed M. May, Sr., Johnstown, Pa., Aug. 29-Sept. 13, 1967 For the funeral of Lance Corporal Reed M. May, Jr.: To professional service, funeral coach, fern decoration, obituary notice, organist, tent and device___. $260 To cash expenditures: Accommodation items concrete burial vault $140, grave opening and closing $70, lot 325, section E, Richland Cemetery, $200‒‒‒‒ 410 Total invoice_‒‒‒‒ 670 Professional service charges on this account were $197.50. |