Benito & Azzaro - Pacific Gardens Chapel

Veteran services at Benito & Azzaro - Pacific Gardens Chapel

Veteran families in Santa Cruz, CA can turn to Benito & Azzaro - Pacific Gardens Chapel for honors and benefit coordination. In its own description, the home mentions VA benefits paperwork and veterans cemetery burial. On-site amenities include multiple chapels and reception room, suited to flag presentation and honors ceremonies. Published pricing lists $3,095 for basic burial and $2,990 for direct cremation. The non-declinable service fee is $3,930. Veterans may qualify for county or federal allowances toward these costs.

The home lists these veteran-related services: cremation services, prepaid cremation, green burial, memorial diamonds, burial services, and direct cremation. Ask the director which of them they arrange directly.

Facilities on site include multiple chapels.

Published pricing at Benito & Azzaro - Pacific Gardens Chapel: direct cremation from $2,195 and basic burial from $3,095. That places direct cremation roughly 36% above the California median ($1,617). If the veteran qualifies for a VA burial allowance, the family claims it with VA Form 21P-530EZ. Ask whether the home will help you file it.

The nearest veterans cemetery that isn't listed as closed is California Central Coast Veterans Cemetery in CA, about 26 miles from Benito & Azzaro - Pacific Gardens Chapel. For a burial in a VA national cemetery, the funeral home or the family calls the National Cemetery Scheduling Office at 800-535-1117.

Benito & Azzaro - Pacific Gardens Chapel lists these traditions and communities: Catholic, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Secular Humanist, and Lgbtq Affirming. Military funeral honors can be part of a religious service; tell the director the order you want.

We list about 1,115 funeral homes in California. Only some of them name military funeral honors or VA benefits help among their services.

Frequently asked questions

What sets Benito & Azzaro - Pacific Gardens Chapel apart

• Customizable memorial services that capture the individual's essence
• Accommodation for family pets during services
• Active involvement of funeral directors and staff in Santa Cruz and Watsonville area churches and community groups
• Specialization in VA Cemetery coordination and military family assistance
• Availability of German-speaking and Spanish-speaking funeral advisors
• Offering a range of death care alternatives including Green Burial, Human Composting, Memorial Diamonds, and Parting Stone

Military and veteran services listed

Burial and cremation services

On-site facilities

Affiliations and specialties

Religious traditions and languages

Religious traditions served: Jewish, Catholic, Baptist, Seventh-day Adventist. Languages spoken at the home: German, Spanish.

How to request military funeral honors

By law (10 U.S.C. § 1491), an eligible veteran's funeral can include, on request, an honors detail of at least two service members who fold and present the U.S. flag to the family and play Taps. The funeral director usually makes the request and will need the veteran's DD214 or other discharge papers.

VA suggests asking at least 48 to 72 hours before the service. More on what honors include and how to request them.