Lakeside Memorial Funeral Home, Inc

Veteran services at Lakeside Memorial Funeral Home, Inc

Veteran families in West Seneca, NY can turn to Lakeside Memorial Funeral Home, Inc for honors and benefit coordination. In their own words: "Lakeside Memorial Funeral Home provides comprehensive services for veterans, military personnel, and their families. This includes full military sendoffs with flag presentations, graveside ceremonies, the playing of Taps, and 21-gun salutes for eligible individuals. The funeral home offers a unique 'Last Harley Ride Hearse' with Patriot Guard Riders escort. They assist with navigating VA burial benefits, including grave sites, liners, headstones/markers, opening and closing of graves, perpetual care, burial flags, military funeral honors, and Presidential Memorial Certificates. The team helps determine eligibility and handles necessary paperwork. Additionally, they participate in 'Operation Toy Soldier' for military families and cremate retired flags with veterans as a tribute. Information on national cemeteries, such as WNY National Cemetery in Pembroke, is also provided." Published pricing lists $5,545 for basic burial and $2,754 for direct cremation. Veterans may qualify for county or federal allowances toward these costs.

Veteran-related services offered include veterans services, burial services, and cremation services. Each service is coordinated with the family and, where applicable, with the deceased's last unit or branch honor detail.

Published pricing at Lakeside Memorial Funeral Home, Inc: direct cremation from $2,754. That places direct cremation roughly 20% 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 Western New York National Cemetery in NY, approximately 29 miles from Lakeside Memorial Funeral Home, Inc. Lakeside Memorial Funeral Home, Inc 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. Lakeside Memorial Funeral Home, Inc is among them.

Frequently asked questions

What sets Lakeside Memorial Funeral Home, Inc apart

• Silver Linings Program, including a Compassionate Care Coordinator, Celebration Café coffee hours, annual Butterfly Release, and holiday events.
• Natural Organic Reduction (human composting) services, with guidance for utilizing out-of-state facilities.
• Natural and Green Services, offering eco-friendly burial options and information on green cemeteries.
• Certified Celebrants available to lead personalized memorial services.
• The Last Harley Ride Hearse, escorted by Patriot Guard Riders, for veterans and motorcycle enthusiasts.
• Comprehensive Veterans Services, including assistance with VA benefits, a 'Wall of Honor,' 'Operation Toy Soldier,' and cremation with retired flags.

Military & veteran services offered

Burial & cremation services

On-site facilities

Affiliations & specializations

Religious traditions & languages

Religious traditions accommodated: Catholic, Protestant (Wesleyan, United Church of Christ, Methodist), Jewish, Islamic.

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.