Browning-Forshay Funeral Home

Veteran services at Browning-Forshay Funeral Home

For veterans in Hawthorne, NJ, Browning-Forshay Funeral Home coordinates military honors and burial benefits. In their own words: "Browning-Forshay Funeral Home offers specialized services to honor veterans, reflecting their pride in acknowledging those who have served the country. This commitment is further underscored by Owner/Manager Mike Forshay's background as a U.S. Naval Academy graduate and combat pilot." Published pricing lists a quoted rate for basic burial and $2,495 for direct cremation. Veterans may qualify for county or federal allowances toward these costs.

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

Published pricing at Browning-Forshay Funeral Home: direct cremation from $3,285. That places direct cremation roughly 32% 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 St. Albans National Cemetery in NY, approximately 28 miles from Browning-Forshay Funeral Home. Browning-Forshay Funeral 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. Browning-Forshay Funeral Home is among them.

Frequently asked questions

What does a funeral at Browning-Forshay Funeral Home cost for veteran families?

From its published general price list, direct cremation starts at $3,285. 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 Browning-Forshay Funeral Home located, and can it coordinate a veterans cemetery burial?

Browning-Forshay Funeral Home is located at 557 Lafayette Avenue in Hawthorne, NJ. You can reach the home at (973) 427-0800. Staff can coordinate burial with nearby VA national and state veterans cemeteries.

What services does Browning-Forshay Funeral Home offer veteran families?

Browning-Forshay Funeral Home provides service options, honoring veterans, pre-plan online, visitation, funeral service, and can arrange military funeral honors for eligible veterans.

Does Browning-Forshay Funeral Home help veterans with VA burial benefits?

Browning-Forshay Funeral Home offers specialized services to honor veterans, reflecting their pride in acknowledging those who have served the country. This commitment is further underscored by Owner/Manager Mike Forshay's background as a U.S. Naval Academy graduate and combat pilot.

Which faith traditions does Browning-Forshay Funeral Home accommodate?

Staff coordinate services for Catholic families, among others.

What sets Browning-Forshay Funeral Home apart

Long-standing family ownership and commitment to personalized service since 1953.
Recognized as Hawthorne Company of the Year in 1996.
Owner George W. Forshay's role as a Permanent Deacon in the Diocese of Paterson and Chaplain for local emergency services (Hawthorne PBA#200, Fire Department, Domestic Violence Response Team).
Owner/Manager Mike Forshay's background as a U.S. Naval Academy graduate and combat pilot.
Modern, expanded facility featuring three chapels with advanced sound and video systems, private arrangement offices, and ample parking.
Specialized services dedicated to honoring veterans.

Military & veteran services offered

★Honoring Veterans

Burial & cremation services

Burial

· Burial
· Graveside Service
· Committal Service

Cremation

· Cremation

On-site facilities

· Funeral Home

· Expanded Facility

Affiliations & specializations

Industry affiliations

· New Jersey State Funeral Directors Association
· National Funeral Directors Association
· Hawthorne Lion’s Club
· Diocese of Paterson
· St. Anthony's R.C. Church
· Hawthorne PBA#200
· Hawthorne Fire Department
· Hawthorne Domestic Violence Response Team

Specializations

· Veteran Services

Religious traditions & languages

Religious traditions accommodated: Catholic. Languages spoken at the home: English.

Branches of service supported

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

Navy

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.