Veteran services at Brookside Memorial Funeral Home
Veteran families in Middlebury, CT can turn to Brookside Memorial Funeral Home for honors and benefit coordination. In their own words: "Brookside Memorial provides comprehensive services for honoring veterans, including coordinating military funeral honors such as the folding and presentation of the American flag, the playing of Taps, a three-volley rifle salute, draping the casket with the U.S. flag, and a final salute at the gravesite. They assist families with verifying eligibility (DD-214 or discharge papers) and navigating benefits from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), which can include obtaining a Presidential Memorial Certificate, arranging for headstones or markers, securing memorial plots, facilitating burial in a VA national cemetery, and processing reimbursement of burial expenses." Published pricing lists $3,605 for basic burial and $2,595 for direct cremation. Veterans may qualify for county or federal allowances toward these costs.
Veteran-related services offered include cremation, burial, veterans services, simple cremation package, immediate burial, 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 Brookside Memorial Funeral Home: direct cremation from $2,595. That places direct cremation roughly 16% below the Connecticut median ($3,106). 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 Connecticut State Veterans Cemetery in CT, approximately 27 miles from Brookside Memorial Funeral Home. Brookside Memorial Funeral Home can coordinate transport, scheduling with the cemetery's interment office, and the timing of military honors with the receiving committal shelter.
Connecticut has approximately 304 licensed funeral homes serving its population, of which a subset specifically lists military funeral honors and VA benefits assistance among their services. Brookside Memorial Funeral Home is among them.
Frequently asked questions
What does a funeral at Brookside Memorial Funeral Home cost for veteran families?
From its published general price list, direct cremation starts at $2,595. 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 Brookside Memorial Funeral Home located, and can it coordinate a veterans cemetery burial?
Brookside Memorial Funeral Home is located at 200 Benson Rd in Middlebury, CT. You can reach the home at (203) 577-3333. Staff can coordinate burial with nearby VA national and state veterans cemeteries.
What services does Brookside Memorial Funeral Home offer veteran families?
Brookside Memorial Funeral Home provides funerals, cremation, burial, veterans services, simple cremation package, and can arrange military funeral honors for eligible veterans.
Does Brookside Memorial Funeral Home help veterans with VA burial benefits?
Brookside Memorial provides comprehensive services for honoring veterans, including coordinating military funeral honors such as the folding and presentation of the American flag, the playing of Taps, a three-volley rifle salute, draping the casket with the U.S. flag, and a final salute at the gravesite. They assist families with verifying eligibility (DD-214 or discharge papers) and navigating benefits from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), which can include obtaining a Presidential Memorial Certificate, arranging for headstones or markers, securing memorial plots, facilitating burial in a VA national cemetery, and processing reimbursement of burial expenses.
Which faith traditions does Brookside Memorial Funeral Home accommodate?
Staff coordinate services for Catholic, United Church of Christ, Baptist families, among others.
What sets Brookside Memorial Funeral Home apart
- On-site crematory, ensuring loved ones remain in their care throughout the cremation process.
- Over 74 years of family ownership and operation (Albini Family).
- Transparent and affordable pricing, exemplified by their $2,595 Simple Cremation Package.
- Dedicated veteran services, assisting with military honors and VA benefits.
- Therapy dog, Libby, offering comfort to grieving families (mentioned in testimonials).
Military & veteran services offered
Burial & cremation services
Burial
- · Burial
- · Immediate Burial
- · Graveside Services
- · Committal Services
- · Interment
Cremation
- · Cremation
- · Simple Cremation Package
On-site facilities
Affiliations & specializations
Industry affiliations
- · Connecticut Funeral Directors Association (CFDA)
- · National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA)
- · Rotary Club of Woodbury, Southbury & Middlebury
- · Southbury Business Association (SBA)
- · Exchange Club of Waterbury
- · Mattatuck Museum
Specializations
- · Honoring Veterans
Religious traditions & languages
Religious traditions accommodated: Catholic, United Church of Christ, Baptist.
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.