Veteran services at J. Verne Wood Funeral Home - Buckminster Chapel
J. Verne Wood Funeral Home - Buckminster Chapel serves veteran families in Portsmouth, NH with military funeral planning. In their own words: "The funeral home lists the New Hampshire State Veterans Cemetery as a local resource, implying assistance with arrangements for veterans' burials there." Published pricing lists $5,400 for basic burial and $2,730 for direct cremation. Veterans may qualify for county or federal allowances toward these costs.
Veteran-related services offered include traditional burial and cremation. Each service is coordinated with the family and, where applicable, with the deceased's last unit or branch honor detail.
Published pricing at J. Verne Wood Funeral Home - Buckminster Chapel: direct cremation from $2,730. That places direct cremation roughly 24% above the New Hampshire median ($2,195). 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 Southern Maine Veterans Cemetery in ME, approximately 29 miles from J. Verne Wood Funeral Home - Buckminster Chapel. J. Verne Wood Funeral Home - Buckminster Chapel can coordinate transport, scheduling with the cemetery's interment office, and the timing of military honors with the receiving committal shelter.
New Hampshire has approximately 108 licensed funeral homes serving its population, of which a subset specifically lists military funeral honors and VA benefits assistance among their services. J. Verne Wood Funeral Home - Buckminster Chapel is among them.
Frequently asked questions
What does a funeral at J. Verne Wood Funeral Home - Buckminster Chapel cost for veteran families?
From its published general price list, direct cremation starts at $2,730. 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 J. Verne Wood Funeral Home - Buckminster Chapel located, and can it coordinate a veterans cemetery burial?
J. Verne Wood Funeral Home - Buckminster Chapel is located at 84 Broad St. in Portsmouth, NH. You can reach the home at (603) 436-1702. Staff can coordinate burial with nearby VA national and state veterans cemeteries.
What services does J. Verne Wood Funeral Home - Buckminster Chapel offer veteran families?
J. Verne Wood Funeral Home - Buckminster Chapel provides traditional burial, cremation, and can arrange military funeral honors for eligible veterans.
Does J. Verne Wood Funeral Home - Buckminster Chapel help veterans with VA burial benefits?
The funeral home lists the New Hampshire State Veterans Cemetery as a local resource, implying assistance with arrangements for veterans' burials there.
Which faith traditions does J. Verne Wood Funeral Home - Buckminster Chapel accommodate?
Staff coordinate services for United Church of Christ, Catholic, Baptist, Episcopal, Greek Orthodox families, among others.
What sets J. Verne Wood Funeral Home - Buckminster Chapel apart
- Oldest and largest funeral home in Portsmouth, NH, established in 1854.
- Operates from the historic Benjamin F. Webster House, providing an elegant Victorian setting for gatherings.
- Long-standing family guidance by the Ward Family, having served over 25,000 families.
- Active "Caring For Our Community Program" including blood drives, food drives for local pantry Gather, and support for first responders and local businesses.
- Multi-generational family involvement in leadership, with current managing director Thomas LaBerge married to Deborah (Ward) LaBerge, daughter of previous owners.
- Staff includes a Life Celebrant and Assisting Clergy from specific denominations (United Church of Christ, Catholic).
Burial & cremation services
Burial
- · Traditional Burial
Cremation
- · Cremation
On-site facilities
Religious traditions & languages
Religious traditions accommodated: United Church of Christ, Catholic, Baptist, Episcopal, Greek Orthodox, Jewish. Languages spoken at the home: English.
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.