Applebee Funeral Home

Veteran services at Applebee Funeral Home

Applebee Funeral Home, located in Delmar, NY, assists those who served and their families. In their own words: "Co-owner Tom Pratt is a U.S. Marine Corps Veteran, and former owner Peter Applebee was a U.S. Army Veteran, suggesting the funeral home has experience assisting families with military funeral honors and benefits." Published pricing lists $5,795 for basic burial and $3,220 for direct cremation. Veterans may qualify for county or federal allowances toward these costs.

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

Published pricing at Applebee Funeral Home: direct cremation from $3,220. That places direct cremation roughly 40% above the New York median ($2,300). 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 Gerald B. H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery in NY, approximately 30 miles from Applebee Funeral Home. Applebee Funeral Home can coordinate transport, scheduling with the cemetery's interment office, and the timing of military honors with the receiving committal shelter.

New York has approximately 1,440 licensed funeral homes serving its population, of which a subset specifically lists military funeral honors and VA benefits assistance among their services. Applebee Funeral Home is among them.

Frequently asked questions

What does a funeral at Applebee Funeral Home cost for veteran families?

From its published general price list, direct cremation starts at $3,220. Eligible veterans can offset these costs with a VA burial allowance, and burial in a VA national cemetery is provided at no charge.

Where is Applebee Funeral Home located, and can it coordinate a veterans cemetery burial?

Applebee Funeral Home is located at 403 Kenwood Avenue in Delmar, NY. You can reach the home at (518) 439-2715. Staff can coordinate burial with nearby VA national and state veterans cemeteries.

What services does Applebee Funeral Home offer veteran families?

Applebee Funeral Home provides funeral planning, cremation services, memorial services, traditional funeral services, committal services, and can arrange military funeral honors for eligible veterans.

Does Applebee Funeral Home help veterans with VA burial benefits?

Co-owner Tom Pratt is a U.S. Marine Corps Veteran, and former owner Peter Applebee was a U.S. Army Veteran, suggesting the funeral home has experience assisting families with military funeral honors and benefits.

Which faith traditions does Applebee Funeral Home accommodate?

Staff coordinate services for Roman Catholic families, among others.

What sets Applebee Funeral Home apart

Over a century of continuous operation in Delmar and surrounding Albany County communities since 1904.
Ownership transitioned from a multi-generational family to long-term employees, Jay Rutski and Tom Pratt, in 2023.
Owners Jay Rutski and Tom Pratt are actively involved in local community organizations, including the Delmar Kiwanis Club, St. Thomas the Apostle Church, and the Delmar Fire Department.
Provides comprehensive grief support resources, including specific guidance for children and information on the grieving process.
Co-owner Tom Pratt is a U.S. Marine Corps Veteran, and former owner Peter Applebee was a U.S. Army Veteran, indicating experience with military funeral honors and benefits.

Military & veteran services offered

★Memorial Services

Burial & cremation services

Burial

· Committal Services

Cremation

· Cremation Services

Affiliations & specializations

Industry affiliations

· St. Thomas the Apostle Church
· Delmar Kiwanis Club
· Delmar Fire Department

Religious traditions & languages

Religious traditions accommodated: Roman Catholic.

Branches of service supported

Based on the home's stated services and specializations, Applebee Funeral Home has documented experience supporting the following branches:

Army Marines

EverSettled · After the Veteran Funeral

The veteran's spouse may qualify for VA Dependency & Indemnity Compensation.

DIC is a tax-free monthly benefit for surviving spouses, dependent children, and (in some cases) parents of veterans whose death is service-connected. EverSettled walks veteran families through DIC eligibility, survivor pension, life-insurance claims, probate, and the federal-account paperwork that follows.

Begin Veteran Estate Settlement

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.