Veteran services at Cremation Society of Alaska - Mat-Su Valley
Cremation Society of Alaska - Mat-Su Valley, located in Wasilla, AK, assists those who served and their families. In their own words: "The Cremation Society of Alaska is Alaska's only certified Veterans & Family Memorial Care provider. They assist families with obtaining the DD Form 214, arranging military honors, flag presentations, and coordinating with national or local veterans' cemeteries, including Ft. Richardson National Cemetery and Sitka National Cemetery. The society also operates as an Old Glory Collection Center for the dignified retirement of worn American flags and a drop-off point for the Cell Phones for Soldiers program. Financial benefits for veterans include a $700 burial or cremation allowance for deaths at a VA hospital, or up to $700 for deaths outside a VA hospital depending on service-connected disability or pension status. For 100% service-connected veterans, up to $2,000 may be reimbursed for funeral or cremation expenses if the death was service-related. All honorably discharged veterans and their spouses are entitled to free cemetery property, a headstone, opening and closing services, and perpetual care at any National Cemetery, provided specific service requirements are met." On-site amenities include chapel (45 seat), suited to flag presentation and honors ceremonies. Published pricing lists a quoted rate for basic burial and $1,795 for direct cremation. Veterans may qualify for county or federal allowances toward these costs.
Veteran-related services offered include traditional funeral followed by cremation, direct cremation, cremation with memorial service, graveside services, memorial services, 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 (45 seat). 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 Cremation Society of Alaska - Mat-Su Valley: direct cremation from $1,795 and basic burial from $6,650. That places direct cremation roughly 7% below the Alaska median ($1,935). 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 Fort Richardson National Cemetery in AK, approximately 25 miles from Cremation Society of Alaska - Mat-Su Valley. Cremation Society of Alaska - Mat-Su Valley can coordinate transport, scheduling with the cemetery's interment office, and the timing of military honors with the receiving committal shelter.
Alaska has approximately 27 licensed funeral homes serving its population, of which a subset specifically lists military funeral honors and VA benefits assistance among their services. Cremation Society of Alaska - Mat-Su Valley is among them.
Frequently asked questions
What does a funeral at Cremation Society of Alaska - Mat-Su Valley cost for veteran families?
From its published general price list, direct cremation starts at $1,795, basic burial starts at $6,650. 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 Cremation Society of Alaska - Mat-Su Valley located, and can it coordinate a veterans cemetery burial?
Cremation Society of Alaska - Mat-Su Valley is located at 5050 Dunbar Dr. in Wasilla, AK. You can reach the home at (907) 373-8627. Staff can coordinate burial with nearby VA national and state veterans cemeteries.
What services does Cremation Society of Alaska - Mat-Su Valley offer veteran families?
Cremation Society of Alaska - Mat-Su Valley provides traditional funeral followed by cremation, direct cremation, cremation with memorial service, online arrangements, graveside services, and can arrange military funeral honors for eligible veterans.
Does Cremation Society of Alaska - Mat-Su Valley help veterans with VA burial benefits?
The Cremation Society of Alaska is Alaska's only certified Veterans & Family Memorial Care provider. They assist families with obtaining the DD Form 214, arranging military honors, flag presentations, and coordinating with national or local veterans' cemeteries, including Ft. Richardson National Cemetery and Sitka National Cemetery. The society also operates as an Old Glory Collection Center for the dignified retirement of worn American flags and a drop-off point for the Cell Phones for Soldiers program. Financial benefits for veterans include a $700 burial or cremation allowance for deaths at a VA hospital, or up to $700 for deaths outside a VA hospital depending on service-connected disability or pension status. For 100% service-connected veterans, up to $2,000 may be reimbursed for funeral or cremation expenses if the death was service-related. All honorably discharged veterans and their spouses are entitled to free cemetery property, a headstone, opening and closing services, and perpetual care at any National Cemetery, provided specific service requirements are met.
Which faith traditions does Cremation Society of Alaska - Mat-Su Valley accommodate?
Staff coordinate services for Catholic, Christian (various denominations) families, among others.
What sets Cremation Society of Alaska - Mat-Su Valley apart
- Operates its own on-site crematory within a secure facility, ensuring loved ones never leave their care.
- Staff includes the only CANA Certified Cremation Operators in Alaska.
- Adheres strictly to standards set by the Cremation Association of North America (CANA) and the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA), particularly important given Alaska's lack of specific cremation regulations.
- Each cremation is conducted individually, ensuring no mixing of cremated remains.
- Offers online arrangement options for both immediate needs and pre-planning.
- Designated as Alaska's only certified Veterans & Family Memorial Care provider.
Military & veteran services offered
Burial & cremation services
Burial
- · Graveside Services
Cremation
- · Traditional Funeral Followed by Cremation
- · Direct Cremation
On-site facilities
Affiliations & specializations
Industry affiliations
- · Cremation Association of North America (CANA)
- · National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA)
- · Veterans & Family Memorial Care
- · Academy of Professional Funeral Service Practice (APFSP)
- · British Institute of Embalmers (BIE)
- · Alaska Death Care Association
- · Life Alaska Donor Services
- · Knights of Columbus
Specializations
- · Cremation
- · Veterans Services
- · Online Arrangements
- · Pre-Planning
Religious traditions & languages
Religious traditions accommodated: Catholic, Christian (various denominations).
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.