http://www.arcremation.com/download/34878/CremationsofArka.pdf

It looks like to have a funeral at all vs just a memorial service without the body, it's nearly $3500. His widow, who is on Social Security already, really wants to give him a military funeral since his service was so important to him. It has to be paid for by the 16th, because that's as long as they can keep the body. I looked to see if there were other, cheaper funeral homes, but they've been holding the body this long already and will probably charge a fee for that if they don't do the cremation there. It's probable they've already done the embalming.

I can say from experience that actually being able to hold a funeral and say goodbye to your loved one is very critical in the grief process. I couldn't afford a real funeral for Dad, though I got his ashes back and buried them myself in the grave spot the family had bought for urn burials. He wasn't in an urn, just a plastic box. It's really hard to make it real when all you have are the ashes.

Thank you all for reading this post, and I appreciate the recommendations more than I can say. If anyone feels like sharing the GFM link out on groups or forums you think would be helpful, please do so, or just on your FB... and yes, any amount helps.

to see what Veterans benefits are available? Also since he was in the Service, he & his widow can be buried at a VA cemetery at no cost. Did this for my Dad & when Mom goes, she will be buried with him.

I'm off to work, so if any questions email me or post & I'll get back to you later.

Also check this website, this is information is on VA burial benefits, i.e. help with funeral home expenses. His service on its own allows him burial in a VA cemetery at no cost.
http://www.benefits.va.gov/BENEFITS/factsheets/burials/Burial.pdf

I read the gofundme information, it appears to me by what his wife wrote, that he's eligible for $2000 from the VA for burial allowance.

I really don't like funeral homes that don't know what's available for veterans, or don't tell the family what's available.

So it'd be a $700 burial allowance, adjusted for inflation from 2011 by a table. But I'll pass it on. Sometimes information is more helpful than straight cash!

Edit, it looks like it'll be reimbursed up to that, but they don't pay the cash first. She may be able to safely put that amount on credit, though.

he just had to meet one item from the bottom of the list. I was looking at the items about being cared for at a VA Hospital What ER did he die at?

.... it's not considered a service-related death since it was tonsil cancer. Not death in combat or as a result of something he contracted while in service.

So she's eligible for some reimbursement, but not the $2000 that would be available to someone who died in combat or as a direct result of a service-related injury.