Veteran services at Lester Memorial Home
Veteran families in Jamesburg, NJ can turn to Lester Memorial Home for honors and benefit coordination. In their own words: "Lester Memorial Home provides detailed assistance with veterans' benefits, including understanding eligibility requirements based on DD Form 214 or alternative documents. They help families apply for a United States flag for burial or memorial services and guide them through the process of obtaining burial allowances (also known as veterans death benefits) to help offset funeral and transportation costs. The allowance amount varies based on the veteran's date of death and whether the death was service-related." Published pricing lists $6,600 for basic burial and $4,160 for direct cremation. Veterans may qualify for county or federal allowances toward these costs.
Veteran-related services offered include immediate burial, memorial service, graveside service, cremation, planting memorial trees, and veterans benefits. Each service is coordinated with the family and, where applicable, with the deceased's last unit or branch honor detail.
Published pricing at Lester Memorial Home: direct cremation from $4,160. That places direct cremation roughly 67% above the New Jersey median ($2,495). 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 Brigadier General William C. Doyle Veterans Memorial Cemetery in NJ, approximately 19 miles from Lester Memorial Home. Lester Memorial Home can coordinate transport, scheduling with the cemetery's interment office, and the timing of military honors with the receiving committal shelter.
New Jersey has approximately 647 licensed funeral homes serving its population, of which a subset specifically lists military funeral honors and VA benefits assistance among their services. Lester Memorial Home is among them.
Frequently asked questions
What does a funeral at Lester Memorial Home cost for veteran families?
From its published general price list, direct cremation starts at $4,160. 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 Lester Memorial Home located, and can it coordinate a veterans cemetery burial?
Lester Memorial Home is located at 16 West Church Street in Jamesburg, NJ. You can reach the home at (732) 521-0020. Staff can coordinate burial with nearby VA national and state veterans cemeteries.
What services does Lester Memorial Home offer veteran families?
Lester Memorial Home provides immediate burial, visitation, funeral service, memorial service, graveside service, and can arrange military funeral honors for eligible veterans.
Does Lester Memorial Home help veterans with VA burial benefits?
Lester Memorial Home provides detailed assistance with veterans' benefits, including understanding eligibility requirements based on DD Form 214 or alternative documents. They help families apply for a United States flag for burial or memorial services and guide them through the process of obtaining burial allowances (also known as veterans death benefits) to help offset funeral and transportation costs. The allowance amount varies based on the veteran's date of death and whether the death was service-related.
Which faith traditions does Lester Memorial Home accommodate?
Staff coordinate services for Catholic, Christian (General) families, among others.
What sets Lester Memorial Home apart
- Over 70 years of continuous operation, with the Jamesburg location serving the community since 1965.
- Recent ownership transition to Christine A. Cuoco, a Licensed Funeral Director with over 22 years of experience and a background in psychology and mortuary science.
- Christine A. Cuoco's role as a professor at Mercer County Community College's Funeral Service Program, indicating a deep commitment to the profession.
- Partnership with The Arbor Day Foundation to plant memorial trees as a tribute.
- Extensive professional affiliations, including leadership roles in state and local funeral directors associations.
- Specialization in assisting families with veterans' benefits and comprehensive pre-need planning resources.
Military & veteran services offered
Burial & cremation services
Burial
- · Immediate Burial
- · Graveside Service
- · Interment
Cremation
- · Cremation
- · Multiple Urns
Affiliations & specializations
Industry affiliations
- · The Arbor Day Foundation
- · Academy of Funeral Service Practice
- · New Jersey State Funeral Directors Association
- · National Funeral Directors Association
- · Essex, Union, and West Hudson Funeral Directors Association
- · Princeton Lions Club
- · Plainsboro, North & South Brunswick Rotary Club
- · Mercer County Community College
Specializations
- · Veterans Benefits
Religious traditions & languages
Religious traditions accommodated: Catholic, Christian (General). 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.