Veteran services at Mattson Funeral Home & Cremation Service
Mattson Funeral Home & Cremation Service in Forest Lake, MN supports veteran families with military funeral arrangements. In their own words: "Gary Pearson, an Advance Funeral Planner, is a lifetime VFW Auxiliary Member and supports veteran causes. The funeral home's grief resources also highlight Hospice of the Midwest, a local provider that participates in the 'We Honor Veterans' program." Published pricing lists $6,435 for basic burial and $2,485 for direct cremation. Veterans may qualify for county or federal allowances toward these costs.
Veteran-related services offered include cremation, burial, and graveside service. Each service is coordinated with the family and, where applicable, with the deceased's last unit or branch honor detail.
Published pricing at Mattson Funeral Home & Cremation Service: direct cremation from $2,485. That places direct cremation roughly 14% below the Minnesota median ($2,877). 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 Fort Snelling National Cemetery in MN, approximately 31 miles from Mattson Funeral Home & Cremation Service. Mattson Funeral Home & Cremation Service can coordinate transport, scheduling with the cemetery's interment office, and the timing of military honors with the receiving committal shelter.
Minnesota has approximately 567 licensed funeral homes serving its population, of which a subset specifically lists military funeral honors and VA benefits assistance among their services. Mattson Funeral Home & Cremation Service is among them.
Frequently asked questions
What does a funeral at Mattson Funeral Home & Cremation Service cost for veteran families?
From its published general price list, direct cremation starts at $2,485. 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 Mattson Funeral Home & Cremation Service located, and can it coordinate a veterans cemetery burial?
Mattson Funeral Home & Cremation Service is located at 343 North Shore Dr. in Forest Lake, MN. You can reach the home at (651) 464-3556. Staff can coordinate burial with nearby VA national and state veterans cemeteries.
What services does Mattson Funeral Home & Cremation Service offer veteran families?
Mattson Funeral Home & Cremation Service provides personalized service, cremation, preplanning, immediate need services, grief resources, and can arrange military funeral honors for eligible veterans.
Does Mattson Funeral Home & Cremation Service help veterans with VA burial benefits?
Gary Pearson, an Advance Funeral Planner, is a lifetime VFW Auxiliary Member and supports veteran causes. The funeral home's grief resources also highlight Hospice of the Midwest, a local provider that participates in the 'We Honor Veterans' program.
Which faith traditions does Mattson Funeral Home & Cremation Service accommodate?
Staff coordinate services for Catholic, Baptist, United Methodist, Evangelical Covenant families, among others.
What sets Mattson Funeral Home & Cremation Service apart
- Heartley Bear Program, allowing families to create memory bears from loved ones' clothing.
- Everything After and Brighter Mornings programs, offering comprehensive administrative and emotional support post-loss.
- Facility with a lakeside view.
- Away From Home Assurance program for preplanning for those who travel.
- Dedicated Aftercare Coordinator, Kelly Haus, providing ongoing grief support and resources.
Burial & cremation services
Burial
- · Burial
- · Graveside Service
Cremation
- · Cremation
- · Scattering Ashes
On-site facilities
Affiliations & specializations
Specializations
- · Heartley Bear Program
- · Grief Support
- · Away From Home Assurance
- · Personalized Service
Religious traditions & languages
Religious traditions accommodated: Catholic, Baptist, United Methodist, Evangelical Covenant. 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.