Veteran services at DeFriest-Grattan Funeral Homes - Southold
DeFriest-Grattan Funeral Homes - Southold in Southold, NY supports veteran families with military funeral arrangements. In their own words: "DeFriest-Grattan Funeral Homes offers comprehensive veteran's funeral services, recognizing the importance of honoring those who served. They assist families in arranging military funeral honors for eligible veterans, as required by law. Joseph S. Grattan, Sr., a Vietnam Era veteran and American Legion member, provides expertise in military protocol. Benefits include securing an American flag to drape the casket, assistance with burial allowances (up to $2,000 for service-connected deaths or $300 for those entitled to pension/compensation), and guidance on National Cemetery burial benefits, which cover gravesite, opening and closing of the grave, a concrete grave liner, perpetual care, and government-provided headstones or markers. Families need the Veterans Discharge certificate (DD-214) and Social Security number to proceed with entitlements." On-site amenities include chapels and parking facilities, suited to flag presentation and honors ceremonies. Published pricing lists $2,895 for basic burial and $1,595 for direct cremation. Veterans may qualify for county or federal allowances toward these costs.
Veteran-related services offered include cremation services, memorial services, and veteran's 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 chapels. 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.
The nearest VA national cemetery is Calverton National Cemetery in NY, approximately 22 miles from DeFriest-Grattan Funeral Homes - Southold. DeFriest-Grattan Funeral Homes - Southold 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. DeFriest-Grattan Funeral Homes - Southold is among them.
Frequently asked questions
Does DeFriest-Grattan Funeral Homes - Southold publish funeral prices?
DeFriest-Grattan Funeral Homes - Southold has not posted a full price list online. Under the FTC Funeral Rule it must provide itemized pricing on request — call (631) 765-3850, and ask how VA burial benefits apply.
Where is DeFriest-Grattan Funeral Homes - Southold located, and can it coordinate a veterans cemetery burial?
DeFriest-Grattan Funeral Homes - Southold is located at 51400 Route 25 in Southold, NY. You can reach the home at (631) 765-3850. Staff can coordinate burial with nearby VA national and state veterans cemeteries.
What services does DeFriest-Grattan Funeral Homes - Southold offer veteran families?
DeFriest-Grattan Funeral Homes - Southold provides traditional funerals, cremation services, memorial services, pre-need counseling, shipping services, and can arrange military funeral honors for eligible veterans.
Does DeFriest-Grattan Funeral Homes - Southold help veterans with VA burial benefits?
DeFriest-Grattan Funeral Homes offers comprehensive veteran's funeral services, recognizing the importance of honoring those who served. They assist families in arranging military funeral honors for eligible veterans, as required by law. Joseph S. Grattan, Sr., a Vietnam Era veteran and American Legion member, provides expertise in military protocol. Benefits include securing an American flag to drape the casket, assistance with burial allowances (up to $2,000 for service-connected deaths or $300 for those entitled to pension/compensation), and guidance on National Cemetery burial benefits, which cover gravesite, opening and closing of the grave, a concrete grave liner, perpetual care, and government-provided headstones or markers. Families need the Veterans Discharge certificate (DD-214) and Social Security number to proceed with entitlements.
Which faith traditions does DeFriest-Grattan Funeral Homes - Southold accommodate?
Staff coordinate services for All faiths (general service), Christian (Presbyterian), Christian (Catholic), Christian (Greek Orthodox) families, among others.
What sets DeFriest-Grattan Funeral Homes - Southold apart
- Family-owned and operated since 1940, with current owner Joseph S. Grattan and DeFriest family members serving as directors and managers.
- Offers interpreter services for Spanish, Polish, and Sign Language.
- The Mattituck location features the largest chapel on the North Fork.
- Specialized expertise in Veteran's Services, with a Vietnam Era veteran funeral director on staff to assist with military protocols and benefits.
- Provides 24-hour service and personalized guidance from a named funeral director.
- Conveniently located near area churches and cemeteries, with handicap accessible facilities and ample off-street parking.
Military & veteran services offered
Burial & cremation services
Cremation
- · Cremation Services
On-site facilities
Affiliations & specializations
Industry affiliations
- · Loyal Order of the Moose
- · Peconic Warpipes
- · Riverhead Volunteer Ambulance Corps
- · Mattituck Chamber of Commerce
- · North Fork Chamber of Commerce
- · Southold Merchants Association
- · National Funeral Directors Association
- · New York State Funeral Directors Association
Specializations
- · Families of All Faiths
- · Sign Language Interpreter Available
- · Spanish Interpreter Available
- · Polish Interpreter Available
Religious traditions & languages
Religious traditions accommodated: All faiths (general service), Christian (Presbyterian), Christian (Catholic), Christian (Greek Orthodox). Languages spoken at the home: English, Spanish, Polish, American Sign Language.
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.