Veteran services at Craft Memorial Home
Craft Memorial Home serves veteran families in Port Chester, NY with military funeral planning. In their own words: "Craft Memorial Home provides comprehensive support for deceased veterans, including assistance with obtaining a United States flag to drape the casket or accompany the urn, at no cost. They guide families through the eligibility requirements for burial flags and the application process using VA Form 27-2008. The funeral home also offers information on flag display and replacement, and assists with securing veterans' headstones and navigating Social Security benefits." On-site amenities include chapel, suited to flag presentation and honors ceremonies. Published pricing lists $5,900 for basic burial and $3,360 for direct cremation. Veterans may qualify for county or federal allowances toward these costs.
Veteran-related services offered include veterans services, veterans headstones, veterans burial flags, cremation, burial, 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 Craft Memorial Home: direct cremation from $3,360. That places direct cremation roughly 46% above the New York median ($2,300). 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 23 miles from Craft Memorial Home. Craft Memorial Home can coordinate transport, scheduling with the cemetery's interment office, and the timing of military honors with the receiving committal shelter.
New York has approximately 1,440 licensed funeral homes serving its population, of which a subset specifically lists military funeral honors and VA benefits assistance among their services. Craft Memorial Home is among them.
Frequently asked questions
What does a funeral at Craft Memorial Home cost for veteran families?
From its published general price list, direct cremation starts at $3,360. 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 Craft Memorial Home located, and can it coordinate a veterans cemetery burial?
Craft Memorial Home is located at 40 Leicester Street in Port Chester, NY. You can reach the home at (914) 939-0131. Staff can coordinate burial with nearby VA national and state veterans cemeteries.
What services does Craft Memorial Home offer veteran families?
Craft Memorial Home provides funeral service, caskets, funeral flowers, pre-planning, grief support, and can arrange military funeral honors for eligible veterans.
Does Craft Memorial Home help veterans with VA burial benefits?
Craft Memorial Home provides comprehensive support for deceased veterans, including assistance with obtaining a United States flag to drape the casket or accompany the urn, at no cost. They guide families through the eligibility requirements for burial flags and the application process using VA Form 27-2008. The funeral home also offers information on flag display and replacement, and assists with securing veterans' headstones and navigating Social Security benefits.
Which faith traditions does Craft Memorial Home accommodate?
Staff coordinate services for Catholic, Lutheran (ELCA), Episcopal, Methodist, African Methodist Episcopal Zion families, among others.
What sets Craft Memorial Home apart
- Over 150 years of continuous operation, established in 1867, demonstrating deep historical roots in Port Chester.
- Multi-generational family ownership by the Mazzeo family since 1981, with a second-generation funeral director, Ralph A. Mazzeo, Jr., leading operations.
- Specialized and comprehensive services for veterans, including assistance with burial flags, headstones, and Social Security benefits.
- Staff includes licensed funeral directors in both New York and Connecticut (Michelle J. Meyer).
- Offers pre-planning services and extensive grief support resources, including external online platforms and organizations.
Military & veteran services offered
Burial & cremation services
Burial
- · Burial
Cremation
- · Cremation
On-site facilities
Affiliations & specializations
Industry affiliations
- · New York State Funeral Directors Association
- · Metropolitan Funeral Directors Association
- · American Certified Morticians Association
Specializations
- · Veterans
Religious traditions & languages
Religious traditions accommodated: Catholic, Lutheran (ELCA), Episcopal, Methodist, African Methodist Episcopal Zion.
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.