Veteran services at Blackwell Memorial Home
For veterans in Pennington, NJ, Blackwell Memorial Home coordinates military honors and burial benefits. In their own words: "Blackwell Memorial Home offers specific services tailored for veterans. Daniel R. Latham, one of the funeral directors, is a United States Navy SEAL veteran." Published pricing lists a quoted rate for basic burial and $3,300 for direct cremation. Veterans may qualify for county or federal allowances toward these costs.
Veteran-related services offered include traditional burial, immediate burial, cremation, veteran services, and online memorials. Each service is coordinated with the family and, where applicable, with the deceased's last unit or branch honor detail.
Published pricing at Blackwell Memorial Home: direct cremation from $3,610. That places direct cremation roughly 45% above the New Jersey median ($2,495). 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 Washington Crossing National Cemetery in PA, approximately 7 miles from Blackwell Memorial Home. Blackwell Memorial Home can coordinate transport, scheduling with the cemetery's interment office, and the timing of military honors with the receiving committal shelter.
New Jersey has approximately 647 licensed funeral homes serving its population, of which a subset specifically lists military funeral honors and VA benefits assistance among their services. Blackwell Memorial Home is among them.
Frequently asked questions
What does a funeral at Blackwell Memorial Home cost for veteran families?
From its published general price list, direct cremation starts at $3,610. 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 Blackwell Memorial Home located, and can it coordinate a veterans cemetery burial?
Blackwell Memorial Home is located at 21 North Main Street in Pennington, NJ. You can reach the home at (609) 737-2900. Staff can coordinate burial with nearby VA national and state veterans cemeteries.
What services does Blackwell Memorial Home offer veteran families?
Blackwell Memorial Home provides traditional burial, immediate burial, cremation, pre-planning, personalization, and can arrange military funeral honors for eligible veterans.
Does Blackwell Memorial Home help veterans with VA burial benefits?
Blackwell Memorial Home offers specific services tailored for veterans. Daniel R. Latham, one of the funeral directors, is a United States Navy SEAL veteran.
Which faith traditions does Blackwell Memorial Home accommodate?
Staff coordinate services for Methodist, Presbyterian, Roman Catholic, African Methodist Episcopal (AME) families, among others.
What sets Blackwell Memorial Home apart
- Horse-Drawn Hearse (built in 1901, restored in the 1970s)
- Continuous family ownership and operation since 1881, spanning multiple generations
- Pioneering role of Elizabeth Blackwell as a female licensed funeral director and embalmer in 1935
Military & veteran services offered
Burial & cremation services
Burial
- · Traditional Burial
- · Immediate Burial
Cremation
- · Cremation
On-site facilities
Affiliations & specializations
Industry affiliations
- · Pennington Business and Professionals Association
- · Hopewell Business Association
- · Mercer County Funeral Directors Association
- · New Jersey State Funeral Directors Association
- · National Funeral Directors Association
- · Funeral Ethics Organization
- · New Jersey Funeral Service Education Corp
- · International Cemetery, Cremation and Funeral Association
Specializations
- · Horse-Drawn Hearse
Religious traditions & languages
Religious traditions accommodated: Methodist, Presbyterian, Roman Catholic, African Methodist Episcopal (AME). Languages spoken at the home: English.
Branches of service supported
Based on the home's stated services and specializations, Blackwell Memorial Home has documented experience supporting the following branches:
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 SettlementHow 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.