Funeral home one of few in state to be listed by company

By DAVID R. CORDER, DAILY SUN

THE VILLAGES - Hiers-Baxley Funeral Services has a long tradition in The Villages of serving the burial needs of veterans.

It explains in part why Fort Myers-based Veterans & Family Memorial Care, a privately owned referral service, recently awarded a provider certification to the Ocala-based, family-owned funeral firm.

"We do care about veterans," said Dennis Baxley, Hiers-Baxley's president. "We saw this as a way to get involved with something that is giving and offering something to veterans with no strings attached. The other thing we saw right away, there are other quality firms around the state that are getting involved much like ours."

Veterans & Family Memorial Care is a free corporate referral service for any veteran or qualified immediate family member who seeks a funeral service capable of helping them navigate the burial entitlement program available through the Veterans Administration, said Mark E. Davis, the Fort Myers company's president and chief executive officer.

Only independent or family-owned funeral services are eligible to apply for the provider certification, Davis said.

"We've selected only the premier funeral homes in communities all across Florida and the country," Davis said. "These are funeral homes

with deep roots in their communities, and they're reaching out to veterans and families to save them a considerable amount of money on final expenses."

When a veteran applies for a free membership, Davis said, Veterans & Family Memorial Care will refer the veteran to a provider that best suits his or her needs. There now are 40 qualified providers in Florida, including Hiers-Baxley.

"We expect to have certified cremation and funeral providers in every state within the next six to eight months," Davis added.

To become a member, Davis said, providers must adhere to a membership bill of rights that demands the highest ethical standards. The bill offers customers 100 percent satisfaction, disclosure of the funeral service price list and a 10 percent discount off the price list, among other provisions.

Member providers pay an annual fee to participate, Davis said.

"We collect nothing from the veterans," Davis said.

David R. Corder is a reporter with the Daily Sun. He can be reached at 753-1119, ext. 9066, or at david.corder@thevillagesmedia.com.