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Frequently Asked Questions

This is an issue many veterans have faced at our funeral homes and others across the country. Of course your veteran can be buried with honors, but for that to happen, you must have your veteran’s DD214. This form is key in requesting military honors.

Unfortunately, if you recognize you don’t have the form at your veteran’s time of death, it is highly unlikely that you will be able to obtain a DD214 prior to your veteran’s burial.  Still, put in your request as soon as the death occurs because there may be other matters you will have to tend that may require you have your veteran’s DD214. You can request the DD214 at https://www.va.gov/records/get-military-service-records/.

All you have to do is let us know that you wish to bury your veteran at the Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery. From there, we will need your veteran’s DD214 and then we will complete and turn in the request on your behalf. Once submitted, the Cemetery is responsible for determining eligibility.

Absolutely they can. Your veteran may be eligible for a totally free government marker at any cemetery you lay them to rest. You just need to request it by visiting https://www.cem.va.gov/hmm/ where you can also find your veteran’s eligibility for this service.

The Presidential Memorial Certificate is an engraved certificate signed by the current president of the United States. Two requirements must be met for your veteran to be eligible for the certificate: 1) your veteran meets eligibility requirements to be buried in the National Cemetery 2) You are the next of kin, family member or close friend of the veteran or reservist. If one or both of these are not met, then your veteran is not eligible for the Presidential Memorial Certificate. As part of our service to our veteran families, we can request the Presidential Memorial Certificate on your behalf – as long as you have your veteran’s DD214. Or, if you prefer, you can apply in person, by mail or fax. Special instructions on how to apply are at https://www.va.gov/burials-memorials/memorial-items/presidential-memorial-certificates/.

As the spouse, dependent, or parent(s) of a veteran, you may be eligible for VA DIC:  VA Dependency and Indemnity Compensation. If your veteran died in the line of duty, or if they died from service-related injuries, you may be eligible for this benefit. You can learn more about the difference in benefits between surviving spouses and children and surviving parents, and how to apply at https://www.va.gov/disability/dependency-indemnity-compensation/.

That’s incredibly brave and forward thinking of you. First, make sure you have your DD214 so that you can have military honors. If you can’t locate your DD214, request it at https://www.va.gov/records/get-military-service-records/ as soon as you can. The earlier, the better. Next, we encourage you to schedule an appointment to meet with one of our pre-need specialists. Both Denise and Wendy are well-equipped to provide you the information and resources you need to fully plan and even pre-pay for your funeral. Submit your Funeral Planning Information form using this link https://www.dejohnfuneral.com/funeral-planning-information/ and one of our pre-need specialists will follow up with you to get started.

Helpful Resources

Veteran Burial
Benefits
Ohio Western Reserve
Cemetery
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
U.S. Department of Labor
Apprenticeship.gov
Military.com

GI Bill Apprenticeship Program

For funeral professionals who want to help veterans find a long-term career in deathcare, there’s a worthwhile opportunity to explore called the GI Bill apprenticeship program. For military veterans or those currently in the guard or reserve, this program provides a great hands-on education and training benefit to gain important skills that are necessary to succeed in the workplace.

A funeral service career can be closely aligned to the many skills that veterans have gained during their military service. Their commitment to getting the job done, organizational skills, interpersonal skills, leadership skills, and overall strength and rigor are admired by funeral businesses. In addition to applying those valuable skills they learned during their service, furthering their education and acquiring new talents makes veterans top-notch, coveted workers.

Merendino Cemetery Care in Linden, NJ has been utilizing the apprenticeship program for over 10 years with great success. They incorporated their Cemetery Manager position into the program which enabled their veteran hires to gain valuable work experience, learn about the funeral profession and earn extra money while training for a new career. The program is an excellent way for employers and veterans to partner together and create a long lasting mutually beneficial working relationship. It is also an excellent alternative for veterans looking for practical experience rather than attending college.

Qualified candidates may apply for the GI Bill while on active duty or after leaving the military. Employers must contact their local state certifying official to start the process, which includes creating a comprehensive training program that will teach the skills necessary for the veteran to become successful in their position. This may include classroom training in addition to hands-on experience. The program can help veterans transition into a civilian job by creating a mentoring environment. For Merendino Cemetery Care, the program changed their organizational culture to mission-focused, which was beneficial to the entire company.

Veterans can present the on-the-job training program to companies they are interested in working with or use the education benefit to join a funeral profession education program such as a mortuary college.

For funeral professionals who want to help veterans find a long-term career in deathcare, there’s a worthwhile opportunity to explore called the GI Bill apprenticeship program. For military veterans or those currently in the guard or reserve, this program provides a great hands-on education and training benefit to gain important skills that are necessary to succeed in the workplace.

A funeral service career can be closely aligned to the many skills that veterans have gained during their military service. Their commitment to getting the job done, organizational skills, interpersonal skills, leadership skills, and overall strength and rigor are admired by funeral businesses. In addition to applying those valuable skills they learned during their service, furthering their education and acquiring new talents makes veterans top-notch, coveted workers.

Merendino Cemetery Care in Linden, NJ has been utilizing the apprenticeship program for over 10 years with great success. They incorporated their Cemetery Manager position into the program which enabled their veteran hires to gain valuable work experience, learn about the funeral profession and earn extra money while training for a new career. The program is an excellent way for employers and veterans to partner together and create a long lasting mutually beneficial working relationship. It is also an excellent alternative for veterans looking for practical experience rather than attending college.

Qualified candidates may apply for the GI Bill while on active duty or after leaving the military. Employers must contact their local state certifying official to start the process, which includes creating a comprehensive training program that will teach the skills necessary for the veteran to become successful in their position. This may include classroom training in addition to hands-on experience. The program can help veterans transition into a civilian job by creating a mentoring environment. For Merendino Cemetery Care, the program changed their organizational culture to mission-focused, which was beneficial to the entire company.

Veterans can present the on-the-job training program to companies they are interested in working with or use the education benefit to join a funeral profession education program such as a mortuary college.

What benefits are available through the program?

Stipend for books and supplies: GI Bill recipients may receive up to $83 each month for books and supplies needed.

  1. Monthly housing allowance (MHA): A veteran apprentice can receive a tax-free monthly stipend while participating in a registered apprenticeship program. The MHA issued will be a percentage of the Department of Defense Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) as follows:
    • 100% of the MHA during the first 6 months of training
    • 80% during the second 6 months of training
    • 60% during the third 6 months of training
    • 40% during the fourth 6 months of training
    • 20% during the remainder of training

Note: Veterans who are already participating in a funeral service apprenticeship program at the time of application may be eligible to receive up to 12 months of retroactive books and supplies stipends and monthly housing allowances. At the end of training, they will be certified in the funeral service profession.

How much to recipients get paid?

Montgomery GI Bill: Active Duty

With the Active Duty Montgomery GI Bill program, qualified recipients can receive $1,591.50 per month for the first six months of training; $1,167.10 for the second six months of training; and $742.70 for the remainder of training books and supplies stipends and monthly housing allowances. At the end of training, they will be certified in the funeral service profession.

Montgomery GI Bill: Selected Reserve

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) pays GI Bill Selected Reserve participants on the following rates: $297.75 per month for the first six months of training; $218.35 for the second six months of training; and $138.95 for the remainder of training.

What types of jobs qualify one to receive this benefit?

To qualify for the GI Bill apprenticeship bill, a funeral service job must meet the following criteria:

  1. Must be supervised at least 50 percent of the time while on the job.
  2. Job training must lead to an entry-level position.
  3. Must be a full-time paid employee.
  4. All training must be documented and reported.
  5. Must have no previous experience in that field.
  6. Must be recently hired – within one or two years.
  7. The job must require at least six months training to be considered fully trained.

If you have questions about the GI Bill apprenticeship program or need help getting started, please visit the Department of Veteran Affairs website: gibill.custhelp.va.gov, call the Education Call Center at 1-888-442-4551 (Monday-Friday, 7 a.m.-6 p.m. CST), or contact Merendino Cemetery Care via their Facebook page.

GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

Cremation

Decomposition of the body in the earth (after burial) is the slow oxidation of the body tissues.

Cremation, on the other hand, provides rapid oxidation.

No casket is legally required for cremation, just a simple container, which is strong enough to hold the body. This could be a box of rough boards, pressboard, or heavy cardboard.

Some crematories accept metal caskets; most require the container to be combustible.

 

Cremation Choices

If the body is cremated:

The remains can be stored by the family You may take the remains in the simple cardboard box supplied by the crematory and distribute (“scatter”) them over the land or water. The remains can be placed in a niche within a columbarium. The remains can be buried in the ground in a regular plot or in a smaller cremation plot. The remains can be entombed in a crypt within a mausoleum.

 

Why people choose cremation

In the United States, in 1972, only five percent chose cremation. That number had quintupled by 1999, with over 25% choosing cremation.

The Cremation Association of North America predicts that by 2010, that figure will rise to 36%.

In Canada, the rate is already over 42%; in Great Britain, 71%; and over 98% in Japan.

Those who choose cremation (for themselves or others) often hold the belief that it is better to honor the memory of the person, not the dead body.

 

Here are some other reasons you might choose cremation:

Cremation is traditional in your family, religious group, or geographical area You prefer the body to be returned quickly and cleanly to the elements. Many people believe that a cremated body becomes one with nature more quickly. You have environmental concerns, Perhaps you are worried about the use of valuable land for cemetery space, or believe it is wrong to fill the ground with materials that won’t erode … metal coffins and concrete vaults. You want to keep the costs down

Selecting cremation does not mean, however, that you will have an inexpensive funeral.

You might still choose an expensive casket and/or a viewing, and/or decide to have the cremated remains buried in the ground or placed in a columbarium. These choices can bring your costs up to those of a traditional funeral.

 

Decisions You Must Make If You Choose Cremation

Who will do the cremation (a funeral home or a firm that specializes in direct cremation)Whether to use an urn or container What to do with the remains If you are distributing the remains: Some jurisdictions have laws prohibiting the scattering of remains; others require a permit. Ask your funeral director.

Also ask if there are any firms in your area that specialize in unique ways of distributing the remains, such as a plane to spread them over a mountain, or a ship to scatter them at sea.

Think of places that were especially loved by the deceased, close to home or far away. You can walk in the woods, by a favorite lake, or on the old family farm.

Be sure to ask permission if you want to use private property.

What about using the remains to create new life, by planting a tree? Some survivors choose to mix the remains with the soil in flowerbeds and rose gardens at home. Every time the roses bloom, you will be reminded of your loved one.

If you decide to do this, however, consider what will happen if, some day, you move away.

Burial

This page, and the one on cremation, may be especially difficult for you, yet deciding between burial and cremation is one of the first choices you must make. It’s your decision!

Disposition is the term used by the funeral industry to describe the final handling of the deceased’s remains.

Although your initial decision for the disposition of the body is between burial and cremation, there are several variations on each.

Whichever choice you make, the body will eventually return to its natural elements.

 

Burial Choices

If the body is buried…

It can be interred (earth burial).It can be entombed in a crypt within a mausoleum (above-ground burial).It can be buried at sea.

 

Why people choose burial

Although the trend is moving toward cremation, the majority of North Americans still choose to bury their dead and to be buried themselves. Here are some reasons you might choose burial.

1. Burial is traditional within your family, religious group, or geographical area

For instance, in the United States today, about 79 percent choose burial. In Canada, the rate is about 64 percent.

2. You do not like the idea of the body being “burned”

You prefer to have the body slowly return to the elements.

3. You want to erect a monument on the grave

Perhaps you want to visit the grave in the days to come, and you find a graveyard more appealing than say, a columbarium.

 

Decisions You Must Make If You Choose Burial

Whether or not the body is to be embalmedWhich kind of casket (or coffin) will house the bodyWhether to buy a casket, rent one, or build your ownWhether or not the cemetery requires a vault or grave linerWhich cemetery to useWhat kind of plotWhat to put on the gravestone

Len Mikolajczak

1928-2016

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Melissa DeJohn-Capretta

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As the Community Liaison and Funeral Assistant of DeJohn Funeral Homes & Crematory, Melissa DeJohn Capretta is developing relationships and strengthening community partnerships for the family business. She is also gaining new experience as a funeral director apprentice while helping people during their time of need.

Her passion to be present for people enables her to give others the sense of comfort they are seeking and allows them to trust in her expertise in planning during an overwhelming and emotional time.

Melissa primarily serves families at our Funeral Home in Chardon, but she can be found at any one of our locations assisting families in planning the best way to honor the memory of their loved ones.

A graduate of Mayfield High School, Melissa attended Northern Arizona University to earn her Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Arts, Ceramics and Science Education to teach art for K-12. As an art teacher, she thrived on being able to teach kids new art techniques and how to express themselves through art during the school day.

Melissa currently resides in Chardon with her husband, Rick, and their two children Charlie and Olive.

Wendy Fiebig

Pre-Need Advisor ~ Pet Services Specialist

wfiebig@dejohncares.com
440-278-7113
330-842-7076

Wendy was born in Southern California and was raised in Kent Ohio. Wendy entered into the role of Pre-Need Specialist with a host of knowledge and understanding of insurance through various life and health insurance classes. She joined the DeJohn family in 2021 and has been passionate about helping people understand the importance of planning. Having lost her husband in 2018, Wendy has a special appreciation for pre-need and hopes to help people before they are placed in a tough situation like planning the funeral of their loved one.

Her family comes first, so when she has downtime, she usually starts with a cup of coffee before jumping into a day with her boys Cooper and Knox. She also loves supporting community initiatives around Willoughby where she lives and traveling, reading and working on her yard.

Denise Brennan

Pre-Need Advisor

dbrennan@dejohncares.com
440-278-7108
440-221-0786

Every day Denise Brennan comes to work with a smile on her face knowing she is going to have another great day helping families to prearrange their funeral. Since 2002, she has enjoyed helping families to choose DeJohn Funeral Homes and providing prearrangement advice and counsel to families as a Preneed Specialist.

“Prearrangement is a wonderful service. People are so grateful when we help them create a plan and create solutions – not problems – for their next of kin. Many times families are surprised that its not a difficult process to make the prearrangement,” said Denise.

She also follows up with families after the death of a loved one to ensure everything was taken care of during the funeral and assist with any follow up requests from death certificate copies to assisting with acknowledgement notes. When not out visiting families at their homes to make arrangements, Denise is most often found at the DeJohn Funeral Home in Willoughby Hills.

While Denise considers herself a work person, she also enjoys being outdoors in her garden or talking a walk through the Cuyahoga Metroparks near her home in Richmond Heights. As an avid walker, she especially likes walking through her neighborhood when she cannot get to a park or visiting her daughter nearby.

Joseph Zevnik

Joseph Zevnik

1959-2016

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Ross C. DeJohn Sr.

Ross C. DeJohn Sr

1928-2016

Read Obituary

James A. Mullally

Licensed Funeral Director

A graduate of Cleveland State University and the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science, Jim’s career in funeral service dates from 1954. He is a second generation Licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer, a Licensed Pre-Arrangement Specialist, and is a member of the Cuyahoga, Ohio, and National Funeral Directors Associations, as well as the Embalmers Association of Cleveland. He and his wife Kerry are proud parents of twin boys

Bob DeJohn

Licensed Funeral Director

Bob is a past graduate of Bowling Green State University and member of the Sigma Chi  Fraternity. A Licensed Funeral Director since 1988, he is also a Licensed Life Insurance Agent and Pre-Arrangement Specialist. He is a member of the Cuyahoga, Ohio, and National Funeral Directors Associations, as well as the Embalmers  Association of Cleveland. He is currently a City Council Member for Mayfield Heights.  He has served on the Board of the Hillcrest YMCA, and devotes his time to many public service and fraternal organizations such as Mayfield High School and Sigma Chi Alumni Associations. He is also a member of the Knights of Columbus Gilmour Council 310. Additionally, he volunteers his time at the Western Reserve Model Railroad Museum. He is a  parishioner of St. Francis of Assisi Church and also serves as an usher and  parishioner of St. Clare Church. Bob is married to the former Lori Boslett, who  is a Registered Nurse at Hillcrest Hospital. The couple has two children.

Constance Scheanon

Licensed Funeral Director & Embalmer ~ Certified Celebrant ~ Certified Crematory Operator

As a new funeral director at DeJohn Funeral Homes, Constance Scheanon brings a wonderful new personality to the families served as she helps them on their journey through loss.

A first generation Funeral Director/Embalmer and Certified Life Celebrant, at the end of the day Constance finds a sincere “Thank You” makes it all worth it to serve families during a very difficult time.

Her interest in funeral homes and death care began as a junior in high school, when she participated in a mentorship program where she shadowed a funeral director for a few weeks. She continued her education to earn a Bachelor’s of Mortuary Science from Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science then returned home to Ashtabula to serve her apprenticeship.

As a Licensed Funeral Director/Embalmer and Certified Life Celebrant, Constance helps families, by providing meaningful services to those wanting to tell the story of their loved one. From the moment she meets a family, she commits to taking care of them and their loved one who has passed.

She said, “I do not leave that family at the funeral home. I take that family home with me and continuously think about them. I listen to each families unique wants and needs and try to figure out the best way to serve them.”

Always willing to spend extra time doing a dry run of the route for a funeral procession or thinking of a family’s specific needs, Constance wants to serve each family as best as she can.

She said, “Being a Celebrant is one of my favorite parts of my job. By the end of the service, I feel as if I had known the loved one and their family for years.”

Constance added, “All relationships are about successes and failures that mold you into the greatest version of you. I have already seen growth in myself as a person and funeral director, and I thank DeJohn’s and the group of people “DeJohn family” for that.”

Originally from Ashtabula, Constance has enjoyed exploring the parks and restaurants around Chardon, adding that being closer to Cleveland has “already exposed me to so much more culture in my community.” She especially enjoys hiking with friends and seeking out beach glass as it is calming to her. She is also looking forward to supporting more local businesses and organizations in her new community.

William White

William White

Licensed Funeral Director

Bill White greets families at DeJohn Funeral Homes with care and understanding ; knowing there are many choices that need to be made after a loved one has died. He knows this comes with a roller coaster of emotions that family may experience as well.

Since childhood, Bill has had an interest in funeral care.

“I attended my aunts’ funeral in first grade and was fascinated by the whole funeral process. I knew thats what I wanted to do and I’ve had an interest in death care ever since,” said Bill. His passion helps families begin to heal through their grief process.

A native Clevelander, Bill has devoted his life to funeral care and manages the DeJohn Funeral Homes South Euclid Chapel. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy from Borromeo College of Ohio, attended John Carroll University and is a graduate of St. Joseph High School. He is a member of the Gesu 50+ Club and the East Side Irish American Club.

“I enjoy seeing how religion is integrated into the funeral. What I enjoy best is being able to help families through the process so see their departed to their final resting place,” he added.

He is also a proud veteran of the United States Army, serving with the Criminal Investigation Unit (C.I.D.) at the Presidio of San Francisco in California.

Patricia DeJohn

Bereavement and Aftercare Specialist

We believe it is especially important to assist families in dealing with their grief. As a grief and bereavement educator, Patty is an important part of that process. As a grief therapist she has taught courses on death and dying at Ursuline College and has facilitated grief support groups since 1989.

She graduated with a degree in Psychology from Ursuline College and received her Masters Degree in  Clinical Counseling from John Carroll University.  She was in private practice for 15 years with Dr. Thomas Frazier, Ph.D. and currently she sees clients at the Chesterland and Willoughby Hills facilities where she serves as a Wellness Life Coach.  She is also a Reiki Master and has given treatments for the past 18 years.

In addition to her Bereavement work at the funeral home, Patty shares her expertise with the community where she has given workshops and lectures for the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland, Hospice of the Western Reserve and many local churches and community organizations. Patty is a member of the Association for Death Education & Counseling.

Ross DeJohn III

President and COO ~ Licensed Funeral Director

ross3@dejohncares.com
440-278-7100
216-310-0181

Joining his father, grandfather, and the rest of the DeJohn family, Ross represents the third generation of the DeJohn family and sixth generation of family values and heritage in the firm. After graduating from the University of Dayton where he was President of the Student Government and an active member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity, he received his Funeral Director license in 2000 and today progressively leads our firm into the decades ahead.

Ross III became deeply involved in the community serving as board member and Past Vice-President of the Mayfield Area Chamber of Commerce, long-time board member and Past President of the Rotary Club of Hillcrest, and as Scholarship Chair of the Mayfield Alumni Association serving on the Board of Directors. He is also a parishioner of St. Noel Church in Willoughby Hills. Committed to his profession, Ross is an invited member of several national study groups and the Cuyahoga, Ohio, and National Funeral Directors Associations as well as the International Cemetery Cremation and Funeral Association.

He is the proud father of three daughters and resides in Kirtland.

Ross C. DeJohn, Jr

Chairman & CEO ~ Licensed Funeral Director

Ross DeJohn Jr. joined  his father in the family business in 1977.  Ross understood from the very beginning the importance of his family’s tradition. He understands the heritage of his family and profession as well as the changing needs of the community he serves.

After graduating from Bowling Green State University, where he was a member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity, he became a Licensed Funeral Director in 1986. He is a member of the Cuyahoga, Ohio, and National Funeral Directors Associations. He served in the U.S. Army in 1972 as a 2nd Lieutenant, and was an Army Reserve Captain from 1974 to 1980. He is also Past President of the Mayfield Area Chamber of Commerce.

Ross completed  the Hospice of the Western Reserve Volunteer Training Program which enables him to volunteer at Hillcrest Hospital and other facilities with our Staff therapy dogs Magic and Coco.  Ross Jr. is a parishioner at St. Noel Church in Willoughby Hills, Ohio and has been married to his wife Patty since 1971. They have three children and five grandchildren. Ross and Patty reside in Kirtland, Ohio.