Thank you for reserving your seat for our upcoming Indiantown Gap National Cemetery tour with Charles F. Snyder Funeral Home.
We’re pleased to have you join us for this meaningful experience. As the tour date approaches, a member of our team will reach out with additional details, including timing, meeting location, and what to expect.
If you have any questions in the meantime, please don’t hesitate to contact us at 717-560-5100. We look forward to connecting with you soon.
We create funeral services for Lancaster & Lebanon veterans where a life is celebrated and a commitment to our country is honored.
Lancaster & Lebanon County Veterans & Spouses
Upcoming Indiantown Gap Tour Dates:
May 5th, 2026 – Leaving from our Lititz Pike location.
(Check-in will be at 8:45am. Leaving for the cemetery at 9:00am. Should return to the funeral home around 1:00pm)
June 16th, 2026 – Leaving from our Willow Street location.
(Check-in will be at 8:15am. Leaving for the cemetery at 8:30am. Should return to the funeral home around 1:30pm)
August 13th, 2026 – Leaving from our Snyder Bean location, Lebanon
(Check-in will be at 9:15am. Leaving for the cemetery at 9:30am. Should return to the funeral home around 12:30pm)
September 17th, 2026 – Leaving from our Willow Street location.
(Check-in will be at 8:15am. Leaving for the cemetery at 8:30am. Should return to the funeral home around 1:30pm)
October 13th, 2026 – Leaving from our Lititz Pike location.
(Check-in will be at 8:45am. Leaving for the cemetery at 9:00am. Should return to the funeral home around 1:00pm)
What Veterans Burial Benefits Are Available?
National Cemetery Burial
Eligible veterans may be buried in any of the 155 national cemeteries across the country at no cost. This includes the burial plot, opening and closing of the grave, liner, and a government-furnished headstone or marker.
Government Headstone or Marker
The VA provides a free headstone, grave marker, or niche cover for any eligible veteran buried in a national, state, or private cemetery. We handle the application process entirely on your behalf.
Burial Flag
An American flag is provided at no cost to drape the casket or accompany the urn of an eligible veteran during the funeral service. The flag is then folded and presented to the next of kin as a lasting tribute.
Presidential Memorial Certificate
A signed certificate expressing the nation's gratitude for the veteran's service is provided by the President of the United States. We apply for this certificate on your family's behalf.
VA Burial Allowance
Veterans who died from a service-connected disability, or who were receiving VA pension or compensation at the time of death, may be eligible for a burial and funeral expense allowance from the VA.
Military Funeral Honors
By law, the Department of Defense must provide military funeral honors — at minimum, the folding and presentation of the flag and the playing of Taps — for eligible veterans upon family request. We coordinate this at no charge.
Medallion for Private Headstone
If a veteran is buried in a private cemetery, the VA provides a free medallion to be affixed to an existing privately purchased headstone, identifying the deceased as a veteran.
Spouse & Dependent Eligibility
The eligible spouse and dependents of a veteran may also be buried in a national cemetery at no cost for the burial space, alongside their veteran family member.
National Cemeteries
| Cemetery | Location | Distance From Charles F. Synder |
|---|---|---|
| Indiantown Gap National Cemetery | Lebanon County | 56 Miles |
| Washington Crossing National Cemetery | Bucks County | 99 Miles |
| Arlington National Cemetery | Arlington, VA | 122 Miles |
| Allegheny National Cemetery | Washington County | 256 Miles |
Our Veterans Burial Process
01.
Locate the DD-214
The DD-214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) is the key document for veterans benefits. If your family cannot locate it, we will assist you in requesting a copy from the National Personnel Records Center — a process we handle regularly.
02.
Determine Eligibility & Benefits
We review the veteran's service record to determine full eligibility for VA burial benefits, military honors, and any applicable allowances. We ensure no benefit goes unclaimed.
03.
Coordinate Military Funeral Honors
We contact the Department of Defense Military Funeral Honors program to arrange the honor guard, flag folding ceremony, and Taps. We also coordinate with local veterans organizations for additional honors if desired.
04.
Schedule National Cemetery Burial (if desired)
We contact the national cemetery of your choice to schedule the burial date and coordinate all logistics, including transportation and graveside arrangements.
05.
File All VA Claims & Applications
We file for the burial flag, Presidential Memorial Certificate, government headstone or marker, and any applicable burial allowance on your family's behalf — at no additional charge.
Honoring Veterans With Meaningful Military Tributes
What documents do I need for a veteran's burial?
The primary document needed is the veteran's DD-214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty). If you cannot locate this document, Charles F. Synder can help you request a copy from the National Personnel Records Center. We will also need the standard information required for any funeral arrangement.
Is burial in a national cemetery really free for veterans?
Yes. For eligible veterans, burial in a national cemetery includes the burial plot, opening and closing of the grave, a concrete liner, and a government-furnished headstone or marker — all at no cost to the family. There is no charge for the burial space itself.
Can a veteran have a private funeral AND be buried in a national cemetery?
Yes. Many families choose to hold a private funeral service at Charles F. Snyder or another location, and then proceed to a national cemetery for the graveside burial with military honors. We coordinate both seamlessly.
What if the veteran chose cremation?
Veterans who are cremated are still eligible for all VA burial benefits, including placement of cremated remains in a national cemetery columbarium niche or burial in a grave. Military honors are provided for cremated veterans as well.
Does Charles F. Snyder charge extra for veterans services?
No. We do not charge any additional fee for coordinating VA benefits, military honors, or national cemetery arrangements. These services are part of our commitment to honoring those who served. You pay only for the funeral services your family selects.
Honoring Veterans With Meaningful Military Tributes
The Charles F. Snyder funeral directors pride themselves in helping families of veterans plan services that are fitting for those who have served our country. We understand the sacrifice every person makes when they serve in the military, and we work extremely hard to honor that sacrifice by creating exceptional funerals for veterans in Lancaster County.
By sitting down with family and loved ones, we try to understand the significance of the military in the life of the deceased. This allows us to incorporate their experiences, medals and honors awarded, service uniform and memorabilia into a military tribute fitting for each man or woman’s service to our country.
Our founder, Charles F. Snyder Sr., served in the United States Navy during World War II from 1942-1946. Charles was proud of his service time and continued to show veteran support by being a member of the American Legion Post 34 for over fifty years, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7294, and Catholic War Veterans Post 1192.
Charles F. Snyder Sr. proudly served in the United States Navy during World War II from 1942-1946. He was stationed on the U.S.S. Barnes and later the U.S.S. Noble. The Barnes provided personnel and air support in many raids of Tarawa Atoll in the Gilbert Islands and replenished aircrafts to the 3rd fleet during the Caroline Islands Operation.
Before Charles was stationed on the Noble, the Barnes finished out its missions by carrying service men from the Pacific Islands back to Hawaii. The Noble traveled to Okinawa to provide ground troops and equipment for the Battle of Okinawa. Following the end of the war, the Noble was part of the Operation “Magic Carpet” which brought American Troops home from the Pacific Islands to California. Charles took part in all three campaigns.
"With Honor and Gratitude"
Every veteran entrusted to our care is honored with the dignity, gratitude, and respect their service has earned. Our role goes beyond planning a funeral. We are here to support veterans and their families by helping them understand and receive the benefits available to them through their service and sacrifice.
The place I call home...
Speedwell Forge County Park, north of Lititz, is a favorite destination for both my son and I several times a year. Its winding hiking trails always seem to be a bit less-traveled than some of the other parks, which is fine with us. He enjoys the thrill of the search for wildlife that lives there, especially the deer and the elusive Great Blue Heron. Admittedly, so do I.
