A.J. Desmond & Sons Funeral Directors

Veteran services at A.J. Desmond & Sons Funeral Directors

Veteran families in Royal Oak, MI can turn to A.J. Desmond & Sons Funeral Directors for honors and benefit coordination. In their own words: "A.J. Desmond & Sons Funeral Directors provides comprehensive services for eligible veterans, including arranging military honors (flag presentation, Taps), securing burial flags from the Veterans Administration, and assisting with burial allowances (up to $700 for burial/funeral expenses, $150 plot allowance, or up to $1,500 for service-related deaths). They facilitate burial in national cemeteries like Great Lakes National Cemetery in Holly, Michigan, and assist with obtaining headstones and markers. The funeral home also helps families request Presidential Memorial Certificates and provides information on Veterans Life Insurance and surviving spouse/dependent children benefits." On-site amenities include reception hall, chapel, and plentiful parking, suited to flag presentation and honors ceremonies. Published pricing lists $2,895 for basic burial and $1,595 for direct cremation. Veterans may qualify for county or federal allowances toward these costs. A smaller but favorable set of 29 reviews averages 5.0 stars.

Veteran-related services offered include veterans services, burial services, cremation services, peace of mind cremation, and catholic cremation. Each service is coordinated with the family and, where applicable, with the deceased's last unit or branch honor detail.

On-site facilities of note include chapel. These spaces accommodate full military honors details, family gatherings before and after the service, and the placement of the United States flag during the visitation period.

Published pricing at A.J. Desmond & Sons Funeral Directors: direct cremation from $2,900. That places direct cremation roughly 32% above the Michigan median ($2,200). Veterans who served on active duty for at least 24 months may qualify for VA burial allowance to offset funeral costs — this home accepts assignment of those benefits where eligible.

The nearest VA national cemetery is Great Lakes National Cemetery in MI, approximately 32 miles from A.J. Desmond & Sons Funeral Directors. A.J. Desmond & Sons Funeral Directors can coordinate transport, scheduling with the cemetery's interment office, and the timing of military honors with the receiving committal shelter.

A.J. Desmond & Sons Funeral Directors holds a 5.0-star rating from 29 Google reviews, indicating consistent service quality reported by families who have used the home for veteran and non-veteran services alike.

Michigan has approximately 836 licensed funeral homes serving its population, of which a subset specifically lists military funeral honors and VA benefits assistance among their services. A.J. Desmond & Sons Funeral Directors is among them.

Frequently asked questions

What sets A.J. Desmond & Sons Funeral Directors apart

• Family-owned and operated for over 105 years, spanning multiple generations of the McInnes, Desmond, Vasu, Connell, and Price families.
• Offers a 10-step Peace-of-Mind Cremation Process, including witnessing the start of cremation by their staff.
• Provides specialized Catholic Cremation services, adhering to Church guidelines, including the necessity of a Funeral Mass and proper disposition of remains in a sacred place.
• Features a newly renovated reception hall at their Woodward Ave. Royal Oak location, offering a versatile venue for post-service gatherings.
• Offers green burial options through The Preserve, adjacent to All Saints Cemetery in Waterford, dedicated to natural burial without embalming or grave liners.
• Staff includes Spanish-speaking personnel to assist families.

Military & veteran services offered

Burial & cremation services

On-site facilities

Affiliations & specializations

Religious traditions & languages

Religious traditions accommodated: Catholic, Protestant, Eastern Orthodox, Hindu, Muslim, Buddhist. Languages spoken at the home: Spanish.

What families have said

Jeanette arranged everything quickly and efficiently once she understood your needs. Gary and the team ensured nothing felt rushed or transactional—families stayed focused on honoring loved ones.

How honors are coordinated

Military funeral honors are guaranteed at no cost for any veteran discharged under conditions other than dishonorable. The funeral home arranges the honors detail by contacting the deceased's last unit or the nearest active-duty installation of the appropriate branch and submitting the DD-214 to verify eligibility.

For requests less than 72 hours from service time, families can call the Department of Defense's expedited honors line at 1-877-MIL-HONR (1-877-645-4667). See the full honors protocol.