Veteran Funeral Services

Veteran Funeral Services

We believe the story of every veteran's life deserves to be shared. We are deeply committed to providing families with exceptional veterans services and can assist you in securing military burial benefits. When it comes time for you to make arrangements for the veteran in your life, know that our staff is both qualified and committed to providing them with the military honors they deserve.

The Veteran

 When arranging for veterans burial services, you can rely on us to complete all the necessary paperwork involved in obtaining the military death and burial benefits that are available. These can include:
  • Burial Flag
  • Headstone or Marker
  • Burial in a National or State Veterans Administration Cemetery
  • Presidential Memorial Certificate
Call us to learn how we can work together to pay tribute to your veteran.

    Veterans' Benefits


    When a veteran passes away, their families often wonder what they may be entitled to as a member of the armed services. As funeral directors the thing that we must have to establish eligibility for any of these benefits is a copy of the veteran's discharge papers (DD-214) or a Statement of Service. More documentation will likely be required if applying for additional benefits through the VA, but either of these will usually suffice for determining basic eligibility. If you need to request this record, please click the link to the National Archives provided on the bottom of the page.

    The following information has been largely provided from the New York State Council for Vietnam Veterans of America and the NYS Tribute Foundation, Inc.

    Veterans' Burial Benefits Include

    • Burial in a VA National Cemetery: Families often ask us what they need to be buried in the Gerald B.H. Solomon - Saratoga National Cemetery in Schuylerville. Members of the armed forces who have met the minimum active duty requirements, their spouses and dependents can be buried in any of these cemeteries. They must also be discharged under conditions other than dishonorable. The cemetery will not reserve a space ahead of time, but once a veteran or his/her spouse has passed an additional space will be reserved alongside. All headstones are provided at no charge and are uniform.
    • Headstones or Markers in a private cemetery: The VA will provide a marker, usually flat granite or bronze, at no cost to the family. **Please Note: The marker is free of charge. However, most cemeteries in the Capital District do charge a fee for the installation of these markers.
    • Military Honors: We will request for a military detail to be present at the committal service from the specific branch of the service. They will play Taps and fold and present the flag to the family.
    • Presidential Memorial Certificates. These are available upon request in recognition of your loved one's service.
    • Burial Flags: One American Flag is provided for every veteran.
    • Reimbursement of Burial Expenses: Generally the VA will pay a burial allowance of up to $2,000 if the service member's death is service-related. For other qualifying veterans, the VA will pay a $300 basic burial allowance, a $150 plot allowance if burial is in a private cemetery and possibly some of the transportation costs. Typically, a veteran must be disabled from a service related injury, pass away in a VA hospital and/or be collecting a service pension to possibly qualify for these allowances. Also, if the veteran is a NYS resident who is killed in combat after September 29, 2003 New York State's supplemental burial allowance will provide up to $6,000 toward the funeral and burial costs.
    Request more information regarding veteran benefits.
    To request discharge (DD 214) papers please visit the National Archives.
    To request discharge (DD 214) papers please visit the National Archives by clicking below:
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    The Loss of a Veteran

    The Brendese family deems it our highest and most privileged responsibility to lay the members of our armed services to rest with all the honor, dignity and respect befitting their sacrifices for our country. Philip J. Brendese, Sr. was a veteran of World War II having served in North Africa. So we personally understand how important it is that this part of one's life be recognized and honored.
    veteran funeral services at Philip J. Brendese Funeral Home
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