Veteran services at Brown Colonial Mortuary
For veterans in Santa Ana, CA, Brown Colonial Mortuary coordinates military honors and burial benefits. In their own words: "Brown Colonial Mortuary provides comprehensive services for veterans, including arranging basic Military Funeral Honors (MFH) ceremonies. These ceremonies typically involve the folding and presentation of the United States flag to the veteran's family and the playing of Taps, performed by at least two members of the Armed Forces. The mortuary assists families in establishing veteran eligibility, with the preferred method being the DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty. They also guide families on how to obtain this form from the National Personnel Records Center. Eligibility extends to military members on active duty or in the Selected Reserve, and former members who served under honorable conditions. The mortuary can also arrange for Military Funeral Honor Teams to act as pallbearers if requested." On-site amenities include chapel, suited to flag presentation and honors ceremonies. Published pricing lists $1,805 for basic burial and $1,295 for direct cremation. Veterans may qualify for county or federal allowances toward these costs.
Veteran-related services offered include cremation options and veterans services. 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 Brown Colonial Mortuary: direct cremation from $1,295. That places direct cremation roughly 20% below the California median ($1,617). 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 Riverside National Cemetery in CA, approximately 35 miles from Brown Colonial Mortuary. Brown Colonial Mortuary can coordinate transport, scheduling with the cemetery's interment office, and the timing of military honors with the receiving committal shelter.
California has approximately 1,115 licensed funeral homes serving its population, of which a subset specifically lists military funeral honors and VA benefits assistance among their services. Brown Colonial Mortuary is among them.
Frequently asked questions
What does a funeral at Brown Colonial Mortuary cost for veteran families?
From its published general price list, direct cremation starts at $1,295. 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 Brown Colonial Mortuary located, and can it coordinate a veterans cemetery burial?
Brown Colonial Mortuary is located at 204 West 17Th Street in Santa Ana, CA. You can reach the home at (714) 542-3949. Staff can coordinate burial with nearby VA national and state veterans cemeteries.
What services does Brown Colonial Mortuary offer veteran families?
Brown Colonial Mortuary provides traditional services, cremation options, pre-planning, grief support, veterans services, and can arrange military funeral honors for eligible veterans.
Does Brown Colonial Mortuary help veterans with VA burial benefits?
Brown Colonial Mortuary provides comprehensive services for veterans, including arranging basic Military Funeral Honors (MFH) ceremonies. These ceremonies typically involve the folding and presentation of the United States flag to the veteran's family and the playing of Taps, performed by at least two members of the Armed Forces. The mortuary assists families in establishing veteran eligibility, with the preferred method being the DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty. They also guide families on how to obtain this form from the National Personnel Records Center. Eligibility extends to military members on active duty or in the Selected Reserve, and former members who served under honorable conditions. The mortuary can also arrange for Military Funeral Honor Teams to act as pallbearers if requested.
Which faith traditions does Brown Colonial Mortuary accommodate?
Staff coordinate services for Catholic families, among others.
What sets Brown Colonial Mortuary apart
- Long-standing family history in Santa Ana since 1927
- Spanish-speaking staff, including licensed funeral directors, to serve the local Hispanic community
- Dedicated chapel seating up to 200 people and viewing rooms on-site
- Comprehensive veteran services, including assistance with military funeral honors eligibility and documentation
- Offers a year-long daily grief support email service in addition to external resources
Military & veteran services offered
Burial & cremation services
Cremation
- · Cremation Options
On-site facilities
Affiliations & specializations
Industry affiliations
- · Order of the Golden Rule
- · Funeral Directors of America
- · Kiwanis Club
Specializations
- · Spanish Speaking Staff
- · Pre-Need Insurance
Religious traditions & languages
Religious traditions accommodated: Catholic. Languages spoken at the home: English, Spanish.
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.