Donaldson Funeral Home & Crematory PA

Veteran services at Donaldson Funeral Home & Crematory PA

Donaldson Funeral Home & Crematory PA serves veteran families in Odenton, MD with military funeral planning. In their own words: "Donaldson Funeral Home & Crematory, P.A. provides comprehensive assistance for deceased veterans and their families. This includes helping families complete necessary forms to obtain benefits through the United States Department of Veterans Affairs. They assist with VA burial benefits, which help cover burial or memorial service costs in a VA national cemetery, as well as memorial items. Eligibility for burial in a VA national cemetery and other benefits extends to veterans who did not receive a dishonorable discharge, service members who died on active duty, and the spouses or minor children of eligible veterans. The funeral home also coordinates military funeral honors, which typically include the playing of “Taps,” a rifle detail, a color guard, and the ceremonial folding and presentation of the United States flag to the next of kin. They guide families on how to apply for burial benefits, including filing claims for non-service-connected burial allowances within two years or for service-connected allowances with no time limit. Additionally, they provide information and assistance for requesting a headstone or grave marker for eligible veterans at no charge." On-site amenities include chapel and reception area, suited to flag presentation and honors ceremonies. Published pricing lists $6,300 for basic burial and $3,150 for direct cremation. Veterans may qualify for county or federal allowances toward these costs.

Veteran-related services offered include cremation services, memorial service, graveside service, veterans services, and pet cremations. 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.

The nearest VA national cemetery is Crownsville Veterans Cemetery in MD, approximately 6 miles from Donaldson Funeral Home & Crematory PA. Donaldson Funeral Home & Crematory PA can coordinate transport, scheduling with the cemetery's interment office, and the timing of military honors with the receiving committal shelter.

Maryland has approximately 313 licensed funeral homes serving its population, of which a subset specifically lists military funeral honors and VA benefits assistance among their services. Donaldson Funeral Home & Crematory PA is among them.

Frequently asked questions

What sets Donaldson Funeral Home & Crematory PA apart

• On-site crematory with a viewing room for families to witness the cremation process.
• Offers pet cremations through West Arundel Crematory for Pets, utilizing a dedicated animal crematory.
• Operates three distinct locations across Maryland (Laurel, Odenton, Clarksville).
• Provides a year of weekly grief support messages.
• Features an antique horse-drawn hearse, restored in the 1990s and displayed at the Laurel location.
• Staff available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for immediate assistance.

Military & veteran services offered

Burial & cremation services

On-site facilities

Affiliations & specializations

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.