Charbonneau Funeral Home

Veteran services at Charbonneau Funeral Home

For veterans in Ware, MA, Charbonneau Funeral Home coordinates military honors and burial benefits. In their own words: "Assistance with VA benefits and other death-related claims and resources is provided." On-site amenities include chapel, suited to flag presentation and honors ceremonies. Published pricing lists $4,240 for basic burial and $3,600 for direct cremation. Veterans may qualify for county or federal allowances toward these costs.

Veteran-related services offered include burial services, graveside service, cremation services, and memorial service. 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 Charbonneau Funeral Home: direct cremation from $3,725. That places direct cremation roughly 39% above the Massachusetts median ($2,677). 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 Massachusetts State Veterans Cemetery - Agawam in MA, approximately 24 miles from Charbonneau Funeral Home. Charbonneau Funeral Home can coordinate transport, scheduling with the cemetery's interment office, and the timing of military honors with the receiving committal shelter.

Massachusetts has approximately 579 licensed funeral homes serving its population, of which a subset specifically lists military funeral honors and VA benefits assistance among their services. Charbonneau Funeral Home is among them.

Frequently asked questions

What does a funeral at Charbonneau Funeral Home cost for veteran families?

From its published general price list, direct cremation starts at $3,725. 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 Charbonneau Funeral Home located, and can it coordinate a veterans cemetery burial?

Charbonneau Funeral Home is located at 30 Pleasant Street in Ware, MA. You can reach the home at (413) 967-5281. Staff can coordinate burial with nearby VA national and state veterans cemeteries.

What services does Charbonneau Funeral Home offer veteran families?

Charbonneau Funeral Home provides burial services, visitation, traditional funeral service, graveside service, cremation services, and can arrange military funeral honors for eligible veterans.

Does Charbonneau Funeral Home help veterans with VA burial benefits?

Assistance with VA benefits and other death-related claims and resources is provided.

Which faith traditions does Charbonneau Funeral Home accommodate?

Staff coordinate services for Catholic, United Methodist, United Church of Christ families, among others.

What sets Charbonneau Funeral Home apart

Ownership and operation of an on-site crematory, ensuring loved ones remain in their direct care throughout the cremation process.
Specialized resources and guidance for children experiencing grief, with age-appropriate advice on discussing death.
Licensed funeral directors who are trained to lead services for families who choose not to involve clergy.
Staff members with extensive experience and community involvement, such as Peter N. Masuzzo, a former Cemetery Commissioner and mortuary college instructor, and Kristen Russell May, a Director of Advance Planning with over 30 years of experience.
Assistance with VA benefits and other death-related claims and resources.

Military & veteran services offered

★Memorial Service

Burial & cremation services

Burial

· Burial Services
· Graveside Service

Cremation

· Cremation Services

On-site facilities

· Varnum Funeral Home

· Charbonneau Funeral Home

· Chapel

· On-site Crematory

Affiliations & specializations

Industry affiliations

· Milestone Funeral Partners, LLC
· Milestone Funeral Services of MA, LLC

Specializations

· Children & Grief Support

Religious traditions & languages

Religious traditions accommodated: Catholic, United Methodist, United Church of Christ.

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.